"Self care is self love." A Guide to Healing Meditation from Marika Baxter

"Self care is self love." A Guide to Healing Meditation from Marika Baxter

Posted by Jennie Fresa on

Marika Baxter is a physical therapist (for 16 years!), Pilates instructor and aromatherapist.  The first decade of her career was spent working and training in manual therapy and performing arts medicine, working with some of the most elite dancers from The New York City Ballet, The School of American Ballet, BalletMet and The Ohio State University Department of Dance.   

When she recalls journeying through the healing process with others, Baxter says “I always felt a deeper connection to people and their process, not just from a physical perspective but as if I was connecting to something underneath the surface, their deeper self, their soul.”  This experience eventually drew Baxter to learning about alternative healing modatlities including Pilates, aromatherapy and meditation.  “Personally, I’ve been on a healing path since a young age.  I had three knee surgeries in high school from injuries as a gymnast, which, as I reflect, was probably the start of questioning who I was, and the roles or identities I carried with me.”  After experiencing a miscarriage six and half years ago, “I began to acknowledge those deeper parts of myself that I always had sensed and knew contributed to how I felt and related to the world but was too afraid to face.”    

That’s when she discovered meditation. “It was one of the ways I began experience my inner landscape myself, dive deep and be still.  Getting to know myself from the inside out, versus the outside in.” Baxter also learned that meditation doesn’t always have to look a certain way — you don’t have to be sitting in a certain way, or not have bad thoughts or any thoughts, and doing it “right” it doesn’t necessarily make you feel better.  “I’ve since experienced that meditation can be in any position, and is more about letting go, surrendering and receiving each moment as it is, rather than a doing of anything.” Baxter has since applied this perspective to her work with clients; “it’s a blend of modalities that addresses whatever the person needs whether its hands on work, movement, breath, meditation or just listening.”

After leading a Guided Meditation and Creation Workshop at our store in Madison, Connecticut, Marika taught us how to receive ourselves. Now, she shares more lessons on how to meditate, create a practice that works for us, and all that will come from adding a little time for ourselves can improve more than our day to day. 

What is a guided meditation?

There are many, many styles and lineages of meditation that it’s hard to describe in words.  One way I think of meditating is like an inner hygiene process.  A way to sit with ourselves and process our inner and outer worlds and “digest” the unprocessed parts of our days and lives.  A guided meditation can help “guide” you to a place of where you can contemplate and witness your thoughts, body sensations, and emotions.  Guided meditations are wonderful for beginners as well as experienced meditators.  They can help set an intention for your time, connect you with your breath, your body, be grounding or connect you to higher levels of consciousness; like a light illuminating the path before you.    

What are the benefits of meditation?

Meditation can help you de-stress, find clarity, process emotions, uplift the mood, and cultivate more compassion and gratitude for others and yourself.  On a more medical level, research is being done to show that meditation can help get deeper sleep, with weight loss, as a component in healing chronic disease, and with pain management.

Meditation is also a spiritual practice in loving and caring for the needs of our soul and spirit.  It can be a time where we connect to ourselves as individual expressions of life and at the same time one with the entire universe.  

How do I establish a meditation practice?

Guided meditations are a good way to start a meditation practice as they can support you as you’re becoming more familiar with your inner self.  Often in the beginning you may have a “busy” mind with many streaming thoughts.  This isn’t wrong.  The point is not to have a quiet blank mind but to begin witnessing these thoughts instead of identifying with them.  To allow the body to ground and process the supercharge of our emotions and body sensations and let them move through us instead of getting stuck within us. 

There really is no wrong way to meditate however there are always deeper levels you can explore.  There are a few good apps like Headspace that you can upload to your phone or iPad and take with you wherever you are. 

If you’re meditating on your own, you can find a quiet space and lay down, sit on a chair or on a cushion.  Take some time to notice your breath, your thoughts, what you feel in your physical body.  Allow yourself to feel what you feel without resistance, judgement or shame.  As they say, what we resist, persists.  So as you sit and breathe allow yourself to let go of the need to understand and just feel.

What is the role essential oils play in meditation? How do I know which oil is for me?

Essential oils can be used to help support us in connecting to our deeper selves and our higher wisdom.  They can relax our nervous system, clear our energy, open our breath, and deepen our focus.  The safer and more relaxed we feel in our bodies the deeper we can connect with ourselves and the world around us.    

How do you meditate?

I began meditating by doing free guided meditations by Oprah and Deepak Chopra!  Now I practice guided meditations, walking meditations and sitting in the stillness and movement of life without any external input so to speak.  The teachers I follow and have sat with include Judith Blackstone, Wendy DeRosa, Loch Kelly, Thomas Huebl and I’ve studied Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  

What other practices can we incorporate to our daily lives to insure we are supporting the unfolding of our life?

On top of taking an extended period of time to meditate, including minutes of contemplation into your daily routine were we can check in with our inner and outer realities.  This gives us a chance to notice if we are no longer inhabiting our body or if we are relating to ourselves, the day or the people we interact with from a place of how we think things should be versus how they really are.   Self care is self love, which took me a long time to learn, and the more we love ourselves the better we can reflect that love to one another and the world.   

Do you meditate? We'd love to hear about your routine.  Share them with us now on @copalbeauty. 

← Older Post Newer Post →

Comments

  • Hi,
    Are you interested in getting your product into large retailers? Please give me a call to discuss at 843-325-9524. Thanks. MatthewJCrawley.com
    Matthew J. Crawley
    Co-Founder
    Phone: 843-325-9524
    Website: https://MatthewJCrawley.com
    Video: https://vimeo.com/452028059
    Email: Matt@matthewJCrawley.com
    WhatsApp: MatthewJCrawley.com

    Matt Crawley on
  • Hi,
    Are you interested in getting your product into large retailers? Please give me a call to discuss at 843-325-9524. Thanks. MatthewJCrawley.com
    Matthew J. Crawley
    Co-Founder
    Phone: 843-325-9524
    Website: https://MatthewJCrawley.com
    Video: https://vimeo.com/452028059
    Email: Matt@matthewJCrawley.com
    WhatsApp: MatthewJCrawley.com

    Matt Crawley on
  • What is your take on this software :

    https://emailmarketingb.designertoblog.com/37535612/cbt-email-extractor-and-web-scraper-software

    Many thanks

    Shaun Sullivan

    Shaun Sullivan on
  • Hey, this is Eric and I ran across copalcleanbeauty.com a few minutes ago.

    Looks great… but now what?

    By that I mean, when someone like me finds your website – either through Search or just bouncing around – what happens next? Do you get a lot of leads from your site, or at least enough to make you happy?

    Honestly, most business websites fall a bit short when it comes to generating paying customers. Studies show that 70% of a site’s visitors disappear and are gone forever after just a moment.

    Here’s an idea…

    How about making it really EASY for every visitor who shows up to get a personal phone call you as soon as they hit your site…

    You can –

    Talk With Web Visitor is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It signals you the moment they let you know they’re interested – so that you can talk to that lead while they’re literally looking over your site.

    CLICK HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to try out a Live Demo with Talk With Web Visitor now to see exactly how it works.

    You’ll be amazed – the difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus a half-hour or more later could increase your results 100-fold.

    It gets even better… once you’ve captured their phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature, you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation.

    That way, even if you don’t close a deal right away, you can follow up with text messages for new offers, content links, even just “how you doing?” notes to build a relationship.

    Pretty sweet – AND effective.

    CLICK HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to discover what Talk With Web Visitor can do for your business.

    You could be converting up to 100X more leads today!

    Eric
    PS: Talk With Web Visitor offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
    You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
    CLICK HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to try Talk With Web Visitor now.

    If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://jumboleadmagnet.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=copalcleanbeauty.com

    Eric Jones on
  • My name’s Eric and I just came across your website – copalcleanbeauty.com – in the search results.

    Here’s what that means to me…

    Your SEO’s working.

    You’re getting eyeballs – mine at least.

    Your content’s pretty good, wouldn’t change a thing.

    BUT…

    Eyeballs don’t pay the bills.

    CUSTOMERS do.

    And studies show that 7 out of 10 visitors to a site like copalcleanbeauty.com will drop by, take a gander, and then head for the hills without doing anything else.

    It’s like they never were even there.

    You can fix this.

    You can make it super-simple for them to raise their hand, say, “okay, let’s talk” without requiring them to even pull their cell phone from their pocket… thanks to Talk With Web Visitor.

    Talk With Web Visitor is a software widget that sits on your site, ready and waiting to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. It lets you know immediately – so you can talk to that lead immediately… without delay… BEFORE they head for those hills.

    CLICK HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to try out a Live Demo with Talk With Web Visitor now to see exactly how it works.

    Now it’s also true that when reaching out to hot leads, you MUST act fast – the difference between contacting someone within 5 minutes versus 30 minutes later is huge – like 100 times better!

    That’s what makes our new SMS Text With Lead feature so powerful… you’ve got their phone number, so now you can start a text message (SMS) conversation with them… so even if they don’t take you up on your offer right away, you continue to text them new offers, new content, and new reasons to do business with you.

    This could change everything for you and your business.

    CLICK HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to learn more about everything Talk With Web Visitor can do and start turing eyeballs into money.

    Eric
    PS: Talk With Web Visitor offers a FREE 14 days trial – you could be converting up to 100x more leads immediately!
    It even includes International Long Distance Calling.
    Paying customers are out there waiting.
    Starting connecting today by CLICKING HERE https://jumboleadmagnet.com to try Talk With Web Visitor now.

    If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://jumboleadmagnet.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=copalcleanbeauty.com

    Eric Jones on
  • Let me introduce you to Nutritional Products International, a global brand management company based in Boca Raton, FL, which helps domestic and international health and wellness companies launch products in the U.S.

    As senior account executive for business development at NPI, I work with many health and wellness brands that are seeking to enter the U.S. market or expand their sales in America.

    After researching your brand and product line, I would like to discuss how we can expand your penetration in the world’s largest consumer market.

    At NPI, we work hard to make product launches as easy and smooth as possible. We are a one-stop, turnkey approach.

    For many brands, we become their U.S. headquarters because we offer all the services they need to sell products in America. NPI provides sales, logistics, regulatory compliance, and marketing expertise to our clients.

    We import, distribute, and promote your products.

    NPI for more than a decade has helped large and small health and wellness brands bring their products to the U.S. NPI is your fast track to the retail market.

    For more information, please reply to this email or contact me at MarkS@nutricompany.com.

    Respectfully,

    Mark

    Mark Schaeffer
    Senior Account Executive for Business Development
    Nutritional Products International
    150 Palmetto Park Blvd., Suite 800
    Boca Raton, FL 33432
    Office: 561-544-071
    MarkS@nutricompany.com

    Mark Schaefer on
  • Recently, we have been featured in Giejo mag. What do you think about the feature?

    https://shopgiejo.com/health/how-much-sleep-do-you-need/

    How much would you charge to advertise a similar article on copalcleanbeauty.com

    Thanks

    Rae Ketner

    Rae Ketner on
  • Not sure if you could help me to find a store that sells: CBD Edibles by JUSTCBD and Delta 8 Cartridge 6 Pack Bubble Gum Galaxy by JUST DELTA.

    I really want to try them out!

    Thanks! xx

    Felisha Reade on
  • Many companies are known for their product development. That is their expertise.

    As senior account executive for business development at Nutritional Products International, I have worked with brands that have created and developed innovative products that consumers would want to buy.

    But these companies don’t have the staff or knowledge to successfully launch their products in the U.S. This is why many domestic and international health and wellness brands reach out to NPI.

    Launching products in the U.S. is our expertise.

    On a daily basis, I research companies in the health and wellness sectors, which is how I came across your brand.

    NPI, a global brand management company based in Boca Raton, FL., can help you.

    Through a one-stop, turnkey platform called the “Evolution of Distribution,” NPI gives you all the expertise and services you need when you launch your product line here. We become your headquarters in the United States.

    What does NPI do? We import, distribute, and market your product line.

    When you work with NPI, you don’t need to hire a U.S. sales and support team or contract with a high-priced Madison Avenue marketing agency.

    NPI, along with its sister company, InHealth Media, collaboratively work to market your products to consumers and retailers throughout the U.S.

    For more information, please reply to this email or contact me at MarkS@nutricompany.com.

    Respectfully,

    Mark

    Mark Schaeffer
    Senior Account Executive for Business Development
    Nutritional Products International
    150 Palmetto Park Blvd., Suite 800
    Boca Raton, FL 33432
    Office: 561-544-071
    MarkS@nutricompany.com

    Mark Schaefer on
  • Hi, Eric here with a quick thought about your website copalcleanbeauty.com…

    I’m on the internet a lot and I look at a lot of business websites.

    Like yours, many of them have great content.

    But all too often, they come up short when it comes to engaging and connecting with anyone who visits.

    I get it – it’s hard. Studies show 7 out of 10 people who land on a site, abandon it in moments without leaving even a trace. You got the eyeball, but nothing else.

    Here’s a solution for you…

    Talk With Web Visitor is a software widget that’s works on your site, ready to capture any visitor’s Name, Email address and Phone Number. You’ll know immediately they’re interested and you can call them directly to talk with them literally while they’re still on the web looking at your site.

    CLICK HERE http://talkwithwebtraffic.com to try out a Live Demo with Talk With Web Visitor now to see exactly how it works.

    It could be huge for your business – and because you’ve got that phone number, with our new SMS Text With Lead feature, you can automatically start a text (SMS) conversation – immediately… and contacting someone in that 5 minute window is 100 times more powerful than reaching out 30 minutes or more later.

    Plus, with text messaging you can follow up later with new offers, content links, even just follow up notes to keep the conversation going.

    Everything I’ve just described is extremely simple to implement, cost-effective, and profitable.

    CLICK HERE http://talkwithwebtraffic.com to discover what Talk With Web Visitor can do for your business.

    You could be converting up to 100X more eyeballs into leads today!

    Eric
    PS: Talk With Web Visitor offers a FREE 14 days trial – and it even includes International Long Distance Calling.
    You have customers waiting to talk with you right now… don’t keep them waiting.
    CLICK HERE http://talkwithwebtraffic.com to try Talk With Web Visitor now.

    If you’d like to unsubscribe click here http://talkwithwebtraffic.com/unsubscribe.aspx?d=copalcleanbeauty.com

    Eric Jones on

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4

Leave a comment

Jennie's Journal

RSS
New Skincare Rituals

New Skincare Rituals

Jennifer Fresa
By Jennifer Fresa

Friends, I've removed the guesswork out of booking your facials by creating and all-inclusive menu including a combination of my new high performance modalities, split...

Read more
Treat Sun Damage Naturally

Treat Sun Damage Naturally

Jennifer Fresa
By Jennifer Fresa

We all know the importance of preventative SPF use but little do we know about the natural ways we can address sun damage.  Keep reading...

Read more