Chakras & Chardonnay

EP 45 Empowering Wellness through Breathwork, Balance, and Holistic Healing

In this episode of Chakras & Chardonnay,  Maria Mayes welcomes Brittany Cano, founder of Holistic Nurse Coaches, a nurse-led holistic wellness company.  Brittany is dedicated to guiding others in prioritizing their wellbeing, enabling them to fulfill their life's purpose with peace and passion. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is certified as a life coach, personal trainer, health coach, EFT practitioner, Reiki healer, and yin yoga instructor. Brittany combines her background in critical care nursing with expertise in holistic wellness, focusing on the connection between mind, body, and soul. Brittany and Maria discuss the  simple yet effective techniques like the double inhale and exhale breath to manage stress and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a sense of peace and well-being.

Brittany also explains her holistic approach to health, emphasizing the importance of balancing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. She highlights the benefits of practices like EFT tapping, gentle yoga, and mindful walking for those in a state of sympathetic dominance. The episode delves into the empowerment that comes from self-regulation and the transformative impact of breathwork on personal relationships and overall wellness. Brittany also shares her personal journey of quitting alcohol, offering insights into mindful consumption and the importance of listening to one's body.  

To connect with Brittany: holisticnursecoaches.com and @holistic_nurse_coaches

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In this episode, Maria chats with Cathy Lloyd, founder of Whimsy at Work, LLC. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, including key roles at UCSF, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and UW-Madison, Cathy shares her journey from being an internal consultant to a Chief Data Officer and beyond. Cathy opens up about her unexpected career promotions, self-doubt as a perfectionist, and how humor helped her overcome personal challenges. Cathy's story highlights the importance of self-belief, humor, and creative problem-solving in overcoming challenges. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering others and fostering a creative work environment.  Maria and Cathy chat about their shared love of GSM and as always the episode ends with a guided relaxation.  

Tune in to hear Cathy's inspiring story of resilience, creativity, effective leadership and how you can create Whimsy at Work! 

To connect with Cathy: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/whimsy-at-work-llc/

https://www.whimsy-at-work.com/

Featured in this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

Cathy’s Favorite GSM: https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/product/2022-galactic-stellar-manifestations-gsm-/

Maria’s recent choice: https://www.hearstranchwinery.com/product/2021-GSM-Reserve-Red-Wine

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social: 
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In this episode of Chakras and Chardonnay, host Maria Mayes welcomes Anna Resende, the founder of Mamma Terra Coaching, to discuss her mission to reconnect people with nature. Anna is a Chemical Engineer by trade with 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry focusing on continuous improvement. After working in five different plants between Brazil and the United States she finally found the branch of continuous improvement that most resonated with her;  improving peoples health and well-being. As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Anna uses her passion for nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to help her clients discover their best, healthiest selves.

Anna explains how her coaching programs focus on connecting with nature, mind, body, soul, and community to achieve balance and well-being. She shares insights into her signature program, Nature Walk, which incorporates stress-relief techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, forest bathing, and grounding, along with the importance of nutrition.

Her upcoming book, "Living Your Best Life in College," is aimed at high school seniors and college freshmen to help them transition smoothly into college life. Inspired by her son's struggles with college-related stress and her own journey as a health coach, Anna emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches to health and wellness.

Throughout the conversation, Anna and Maria discuss the pressures adolescents face today, the significance of self-care, and how clean living can enhance clarity and productivity.  Though not a wine lover Anna shares her appreciation for the beauty of vineyards and her occasional enjoyment of port wine. The episode closes with a guided relaxation to tap into nature. 

To connect with Anna: 

https://www.mammaterrahc.com

On Social: https://www.instagram.com/mammaterrahc/

Featured on this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay:

Soluna, a safe, no cost Mental Health App for 13-25 year olds in California.

HIYO Watermelon Lime organic social tonic crafted with adaptogens, nootropics, and functional botanicals.

Recess Mood made with real fruit, magnesium & balancing adaptogens to help you unwind.

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 42 of Chakras & Chardonnay, host Maria Mayes chats with Stephanie Hayes, founder of Vallation Health. Stefanie Hayes is an ICU experienced registered nurse with 15 years of experience in healthcare. She founded Vallation Health Concierge Nursing in response to the need for a long-term partner in health to mend fragmented systems facilitating safer and more effective healthcare. With a vision for a large-scale shift in healthcare delivery, she works 1:1 with a small number of clients for highly attentive, dedicated care in support of the individual’s unique goals and priorities. 

Stefanie shares her journey from ICU nursing to creating her Vallation Health Concierge to address communication gaps in the healthcare system. Stephaine and Maria discuss the limitations of traditional healthcare, emphasizing the importance of personalized, comprehensive care.  Stephanie shares the importance of understanding the interplay of different health systems and patient symptoms and gives practical tips for what you can do as the patient or the family caregiver.  

The conversation then pivots to Petite Sirah and as always ends with a guided relaxation.  

To connect with Stephanie:  https://vallationhealth.com/ 

On Social: Instagram  and LinkedIn

Featured on this episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

Dorval Estate Winery 2021 Petite Sirah

Hearst Ranch Winery 2021 The Pergola Petite Sirah

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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Ep. 41: Sacred Wine: Following Your Intuition with Winemaker Nancy Ulloa

To launch Season 3 of Chakras & Chardonnay, Maria chats with Nancy Ulloa, a pioneering female winemaker from Paso Robles and the owner of Ulloa Cellars. Nancy shares her inspiring journey into winemaking, from immigrating to the U.S. as a child to moving to Paso Robles without any formal experience to manifest her dream of making her own wine. She inspires us with her story of overcoming personal challenges and following her passion for wine, ignited during her time in fine dining.  Nancy delves into her unique practice of pairing wines with crystals, infusing her winemaking process with spiritual energy and meaning. 

Nancy continues to inspire us with encouragement to surrender to our intuition and allow the beauty of life to unfold.  Join Maria and Nancy for an enlightening discussion about wine, spirituality, and following one's true path. Enjoy a guided meditation for tapping into your heart & third eye chakras at the end. 

To learn more about Nancy and purchase her amazing wines: https://ulloacellars.com/

Find Nancy on Social: https://www.instagram.com/ulloacellars https://www.instagram.com/oenophile.babe

Access the Pinot Blanc Summer Salad Recipe to pair with Nancy's 2003 vintage here.

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social: 
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In Episode 40, the Season 2 Finale of "Chakras and Chardonnay," host Maria Mayes welcomes Elizabeth Marshall, founder of Reiki Uprising. Straddling the worlds of classical music and energy healing, Elizabeth Marshall has cultivated a career path that has spanned nearly three decades and the entirety of the globe.  

As a cellist, Elizabeth has worked with headliners such as Lady Gaga, The Eagles, Andrea Bocelli, Weird Al Yankovich, Lionel Richie, Jon Secada, and Seth MacFarlane.  As owner of Rise Wellness and the Reiki Uprising in Portland, Oregon, Elizabeth has cultivated a Reiki certification program that has produced over 300 Reiki practitioners to date.  Elizabeth has been fortunate enough to combine the two paths of her life into one cohesive experience through sound healing workshops that include cello, singing bowls, drones, and beats. 

In their discussion, Elizabeth introduces Reiki as the channeling of universal intelligence to send healing energy to others, emphasizing its ability to inspire healing and turn the tide of negativity. Elizabeth shares her journey from being a professional cellist to transitioning full-time into energy healing, citing the correlation between music, vibration, and energy healing. 

Listeners gain insight into Reiki sessions and sound healing techniques as Elizabeth describes the process of a Reiki session, highlighting relaxation and the body's innate healing abilities. She also discusses the complementary role of sound healing, including cello music and singing bowls, in addressing specific needs and chakra blockages.

As the conversation moves to wine Elizabeth shares her love of the varied nuances of Oregon Pinot Noir. The episode concludes with a special gift of meditation to a beautiful cello piece by Elizabeth. 

To learn more and connect with Elizabeth:

 www.ReikiUprising.com
https://www.instagram.com/reikiuprising/

Wines Featured in this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

https://www.pennerash.com/
https://www.duskygoose.com/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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When was the last time you thought about your hand health?   Likely not recently. Yet how often do you rely on your hands for your work or play?  

In Episode 39 of the Chakras & Chardonnay podcast, Maria Mayes welcomes Dr. Terry Zachary to discuss the importance of hand health and the often overlooked role of grip muscles in overall well-being. Dr. Zachary shares his journey from pro golfer and sports chiropractor to grip and hand exercise specialist, motivated by his observations of athletes facing repetitive grip injuries.  

Having helped pro athletes, musicians, and artists Dr. Zachary highlights the anatomy of the hand emphasizing the significance of the muscles that close, open, and spread the hand, along with the role of forearm muscles in controlling hand position during gripping activities. He stresses the importance of maintaining balance between these muscle groups to prevent repetitive grip injuries and optimize hand function.

Throughout the conversation, Maria and Dr. Zachary explore topics including the impact of modern lifestyles on hand health, such as extensive smartphone and computer use. Dr. Zachary also addresses common concerns, such as arthritis, and explains how proper hand exercises can support joint health by improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to the affected areas. By incorporating mindful exercises that engage both the closing and opening muscles of the hand, individuals can enhance their hand health and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries. Dr. Terry offers simple yet effective exercises for listeners to incorporate into their daily routines to promote hand strength, flexibility, and overall well-being.  Maria guides us through a guided relaxation incorporating such exercises to close out the show.

To connect with Dr. Terry:
 
https://www.doczac.com/
https://www.instagram.com/handmasterplus/

Dr. Terry's wine pick: https://phantomcreekestates.com/

This Episode is sponsored by Kaena Wines: 

Learn more about Kaena at: https://www.kaenawine.com/

Order your Mindful Tasting Trio here: https://www.kaenawine.com/product/Mindful-Tasting-Trio

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 38 of Chakras & Chardonnay, Maria Mayes welcomes guest  Reina Bach, an Executive and Lifestyle coach with a passion for wine. Reina shares insights into her background, blending executive coaching with her experience as a certified French Chef and Wine Sommelier. With over 30 years of experience both as a leader and as a leadership development consultant, executive coach and facilitator. Reina's journey from Wall Street to the French Culinary Institute and wine studies reflects her pursuit of authenticity and joy.

Maria and Reina delve into the importance of mindfulness and reconnecting with one's senses, especially for successful professionals who may have lost touch with their authentic selves amidst career demands. Reina introduces the listeners to Evox, a new technology for reframing an individual's perception about a specific topic or any aspect of life they would like to improve.

Throughout the episode, Reina's passion for mindfulness, sensory exploration, and holistic well-being shines, offering listeners a refreshing perspective on life's pleasures and the transformative power of presence.  Stick around till the end for a guided retreat into the present moment.

To connect with Reina Bach: 

https://reinabach.com/

https://www.instagram.com/IAMREINABACH/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinabach/

This Episode is sponsored by Kaena Wines: 

Learn more about Kaena at: https://www.kaenawine.com/

Order your Mindful Tasting Trio here: https://www.kaenawine.com/product/Mindful-Tasting-Trio

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 37 Maria is joined by Sally Sigouin, owner of Kaena Wine Company where they discuss Sally's journey into winemaking with her husband and the unique story behind Kaena Wine. Sally shares that Kaena, meaning "proud" in Hawaiian, was a name given to her husband by his great-grandmother, representing something one is “really proud of”. They began their winemaking journey after working in fine-dining restaurants and realizing their passion for wine.

Specializing in Grenache varietals, Kaena Wine focuses on creating wines they love to drink. Sally explains the challenges and rewards of working with Grenache, highlighting its unique characteristics and the importance of patience in winemaking. She also discusses their expansion to a second location in Solvang and the experience they offer there, complete with a 65,000-square-foot tasting room set in a picturesque barn setting.

Sally emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to balance work and family life, sharing her approach to prioritizing family time and being present for her children. She also discusses the mindfulness practices she incorporates into her routine, particularly emphasizing the role of exercise in maintaining mental well-being.

Listeners are invited to explore Kaena Wine's offerings through their website and are encouraged to join virtual tastings or visit their tasting rooms in Los Olivos or Solvang. 

The episode concludes with Maria leading us through a short guided mindfulness journey.

To learn more or order from Kaena: 

https://www.kaenawine.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kaenawines

Order the Mindful Tasting Trio: A special three-pack of Grenache that comes with the mindful tasting experience: https://www.kaenawine.com/product/Mindful-Tasting-Trio

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 36 of "Chakras and Chardonnay," host Maria Mayes welcomes Erin Kempe, owner of two wine labels and tasting rooms in California. Erin shares her journey from working in high-end restaurants to venturing into the wine industry, culminating in the establishment of her own labels and tasting rooms in Los Olivos and downtown Santa Barbara. She discusses the unique dynamic of running a business alongside her husband and reflects on the challenges of maintaining well-being while managing a bustling business, emphasizing the importance of carving out personal time amidst the demands of entrepreneurship. She shares her experiences navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the shift to online sales and the profound appreciation for in-person interactions upon reopening.

The conversation delves into the art of wine tasting, with Erin offering insights on simplifying the experience for beginners and encouraging exploration without intimidation. She emphasizes the value of connecting with customers on a personal level, creating an engaging atmosphere in the tasting room, and shares her passion for a diverse array of wine varietals.

Enjoy a guided full-body relaxation at the end of the Episode. 

To get in touch with Erin and Explore Barbiere & Kempe Wines Visit: 

https://barbieriwines.com/

https://www.instagram.com/Barbieri_kempe_wines

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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