Nearly Enlightened

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Ever feel like you're stuck in the same patterns, facing the same emotional triggers or life challenges on repeat? You’re not stuck—you’re moving through the sacred spiral of healing. In this deeply insightful episode, Giana sits down with Danielle to explore the cyclical nature of personal growth and how we can find empowerment, not frustration, in revisiting familiar themes with fresh eyes.

Together, we unpack what it means to move through cycles of transformation, especially as sensitive souls, empaths, and spiritual seekers navigating big energy shifts—like the recent Scorpio full moon. We talk nervous system regulation, the mind-body-spirit connection, and the importance of integration and sacred pause.

✨ Topics we dive into:

• How the Scorpio full moon stirs deep emotional waters—especially for empaths
• Understanding your nervous system as a dragon: a metaphor to help reframe anxiety as protection
• Why healing isn't linear and how the sacred spiral offers new wisdom at each pass
• You can only be as spiritual as you are grounded—and vice versa
• Why time isn’t linear (and how trusting divine timing leads to real closure)
• The power of integration, embodiment, and slowing down so your nervous system can catch up
• Honoring ancient healing practices while navigating conversations around cultural appropriation
• How different healing modalities—yoga, therapy, energy work—are all speaking the same soul language

I also get personal, sharing a vulnerable moment when I had a panic attack while teaching yoga—and how that moment turned into a heart-opening connection with my students. Plus, I reflect on what it meant to get an unexpected call from an ex—two years post-breakup—and how manifestation works in divine timing, not ours.

This episode is for anyone walking the healing path, feeling the waves of old wounds resurfacing, and wondering if they’re really growing. (Spoiler: you are.)

✨ Join us live: Come experience our Sound Bath Duet at Sway Yoga in Coventry on Friday, May 16th at 7PM!

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

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Think yoga is just about touching your toes or striking the perfect pose for Instagram? Think again.

In this episode of the Deepen Your Practice challenge, Dee and I dive into the two most visible – yet often misunderstood – limbs of yoga: asana (physical postures) and pranayama (breathwork). While these are the most recognized aspects of yoga in the West, their true purpose goes far beyond flexibility or aesthetics.

Many people believe they can’t do yoga because they’re “not flexible enough” or their body doesn’t match the images they see online. But the truth? Yoga is for every body. Whether you're in a wheelchair, using props, or flowing through advanced poses, the practice meets you exactly where you are.

We share the inspiring story of B.K.S. Iyengar, who was once rejected from yoga classes due to his physical limitations. His response? He innovated props—like blocks and straps—to make yoga accessible to all. Today, props are a testament to the truth that accessibility is not a compromise; it's the heart of yoga.

Inside this episode:

• How sun salutations awaken energy and prepare the body for deeper practice
• Why heart-openers are essential in counterbalancing tech-induced posture
• What balancing poses teach us about humility, presence, and play
• The power of strength-based flows to build integrated body-mind resilience
• How asana becomes a mirror for our mental patterns, reactions, and emotions
• Why pranayama may be the most underutilized wellness tool in the West

We explore breath techniques like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath), and Brahmari (bee breath), uncovering how they help regulate the nervous system, support mental clarity, and balance the brain hemispheres. With research showing that most Americans only use 10% of their lung capacity, it's time to reclaim the power of your breath.

This episode is a reminder that the essence of yoga is presence—a conscious connection to body, breath, and spirit. Whether you're showing up with a dozen props or flowing freely, this practice is for you.

✨ Join us as we continue to explore the Eight Limbs of Yoga—powerful tools for modern life, rooted in ancient wisdom. Because the answers we’re searching for? They’re already within us.

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

What if one hour of true presence could change everything?

In this week’s episode of the Deepen Your Practice Challenge, Dee and Giana unpack the powerful (and often misunderstood) concept of discipline—not as punishment, but as devotion. Through the lens of the Niyamas, yoga’s personal observances, they explore how small, intentional rituals can lead to big inner shifts.

✨ Saucha (Cleanliness): Discover how morning practices like tongue scraping and slow, tech-free time aren’t just Ayurvedic hygiene hacks—they’re energetic resets for the soul.

🧘‍♀️ Santosha (Contentment): Tired of the “I’ll be happy when...” trap? Learn how to make peace with the present moment—without bypassing life’s messiness.

🔥 Tapas (Discipline): Hear Gianna’s raw take on phones in yoga class and how showing up with intention (not perfection) is the real key to growth.

🪞 Svadhyaya (Self-Study): From Break Method journaling to quiet reflection, discover tools for spotting patterns, breaking cycles, and taking radical responsibility.

🌌 Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender or Devotion): What does it really mean to let go? Explore how faith in something greater can help you meet the unknown with grace instead of fear.

Whether you’re new to the Niyamas or looking to embody them more deeply, this episode is your invitation to transform discipline into devotion—and create space for clarity, contentment, and self-trust.

🎧 Listen now and visit nearlyenlightened.com or tap into the Meditate to Elevate portal for guided practices that bring these teachings to life.

👉 Next week: We dive into the physical layers of practice with Asana and Pranayama. You won’t want to miss it.

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

In this eye-opening episode, Giana Giarrusso is joined by fellow yoga teacher Dee Doyno to explore the Yamas, yoga’s often-overlooked ethical foundation from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. These five powerful principles—Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha—were written over 2,300 years ago, yet they remain deeply relevant to how we live, love, and show up in today’s world.

Think of the Yamas as yoga’s moral compass—offering a framework for living with more awareness, compassion, and alignment:

• Ahimsa (non-violence): Discover how practicing gentleness with yourself can be just as radical as standing up to harm.
• Satya (truthfulness): Explore the tension between “your truth” and the truth in a culture of curated identities.
• Asteya (non-stealing): Learn how we unconsciously steal time, energy, and joy—and how to stop.
• Brahmacharya (moderation): Reclaim your energy in a world addicted to overstimulation.
• Aparigraha (non-possessiveness): Release expectations, detach from outcomes, and make space for peace.

Through personal stories—like setting boundaries on social media and learning to honor time commitments—Giana and Dee bring these ancient teachings to life in a relatable, often humorous way. They also introduce their upcoming Deepen Your Practice challenge, beginning May 1st, designed to help you apply these teachings in real time within a supportive community.

Whether you're new to yoga philosophy or looking to take your practice off the mat, this episode will inspire you to explore the deeper dimensions of yoga—and of yourself.

Join the challenge before May 2nd by visiting CLICKING HERE 

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

What happens when ancient wisdom meets modern wellness? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Crystal Cerrato—founder of Body of Light Yoga School and creator of BODYWELL a virtual wellness platform— explore how integrated wellbeing practices can completely transform your relationship with your body, mind, and spirit.

We kick things off with a little confession: neither of us has ever been the “fitness type.” But yoga opened a doorway—not through perfect poses or Instagram-worthy moments, but through deeper healing, self-awareness, and true embodiment. Crystal shares how her personal quest for health and balance evolved into a holistic four-pillar method: Eat, Breathe, Sculpt, and Flow—the foundation of BODYWELL.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How yoga goes far beyond the physical—and why it's actually a complete science of wellbeing

How proper breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system (hello, post-yoga bliss!)

How strategic nutrition impacts mental, emotional, and physical health

Why trying different teachers can deepen your practice

The powerful lessons hidden inside fear (and how it points you toward your biggest growth)

The truth about 200-hour yoga teacher trainings—and why continuing education matters

Practical breathwork, mindful eating, and movement tips you can start using today


Crystal also shares her journey from digital marketing to founding a yoga school, building a wellness platform, and stepping fully into leadership as a mother, entrepreneur, and teacher of teachers.

Whether you're new to the yoga world or looking to deepen your wellness journey, this episode offers actionable tools, inspiring insights, and a powerful reminder that true health starts from the inside out.

Ready to elevate your wellbeing?
Check out BodyWell.live and use code "free month" for a complimentary trial—or use code "GIANA" for $30 off an annual membership. 

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

Embracing YOUR Face: Kat Parks joins us to chat about expression, aging, and the freedom to be seen

What if the lines on your face aren’t flaws to fix, but stories to honor?

Kat Parks is back on the Nearly Enlightened Podcast, and this time we’re diving deep into Face Freedom—her revolutionary approach that moves way beyond traditional face yoga. This isn’t about chasing youth or smoothing out every wrinkle. It’s about reconnecting with your natural expression, releasing long-held tension, and rewriting the narrative around beauty and aging.

Most of us are walking around totally disconnected from our faces—holding tension in our jaws, clenching around our eyes, barely breathing—and we don’t even realize it. Kat helps us tune back in as she explains how these unconscious patterns not only shape how we look, but also how we feel and how we show up in the world.

This episode is a powerful invitation to reclaim your face—not the one you had ten years ago, and not the one a filter says you should have—but the one that’s here now. The one that reflects your truth, your joy, your vitality.

We talk about:

• Why face yoga is about so much more than appearance—it supports lymphatic flow, emotional regulation, and nervous system health
• How cultural messaging and the beauty industry condition us to fear aging and distrust our natural looks
• Why vitality and joy are more magnetic than perfection
• The rise of injectables and filters—and how they subtly disconnect us from our bodies and emotions
• How to gently begin a face awareness practice, without pressure or shame
• What it means to be truly expressive, embodied, and free

This conversation is part truth-telling, part soul medicine, and part loving wake-up call to not just accept yourself, but to LOVE yourself. Whether you're face yoga curious or just ready to stop fighting your reflection, this one’s for you.

✨ Ready to begin your Face Freedom journey?
Kat’s 12-week program starts May 9th—head to findyourfacefreedom.com or find her on Instagram @beeasyfaceyoga to learn more and grab her free tension release guide.

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

BIG NEWS ✨
Dee and I have been waiting to share this with you...

If you've been craving a deeper connection to your practice—beyond just the poses—this is for you. We’re SO excited to invite you to join us for our Free 30-Day Yoga Challenge, starting May 1st!

This challenge was born from a shared desire to return to the roots of yoga—to explore the full 8 limbs of this sacred tradition, not just what we see on Instagram. Because let’s be real: yoga is so much more than pretty poses. It’s breath, reflection, stillness, devotion, and community. It’s a way of living with more presence.

Every day, you’ll receive an email with a simple, soul-nourishing prompt. Some days it’s movement, some days breathwork, journaling, or meditation. You don’t need anything fancy—just a journal, a pen, your breath, and your willingness to show up exactly as you are. ✨

This journey is for everybody—whether you’ve been practicing for years or are just getting curious about yoga as a lifestyle. And you won’t be doing it alone. We’ll be practicing right alongside you, sharing reflections and cheering you on. When you share your journey on Instagram, use our hashtag to connect with others on the path—it’s going to be so beautiful to witness.

Oh, and we’re also hosting a special charity yoga event during the challenge to raise money for Ten Lives Cat Rescue—because seva (selfless service) is yoga, too. 🐾💗

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up with presence. Tuning into yourSelf. Listening inward. Letting this daily practice be your little love note from soul to soul.

✨ Ready to join us?

Sign up now by clicking here!

 and follow along on IG @nearlyenlightened + @anahata.yoga.bienestar

Let's walk this path together!

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

Crystal Cerrato's spiritual awakening didn’t happen overnight. After practicing yoga inconsistently for a decade, it was her 200-hour teacher training that sparked a profound shift. "I discovered what we yogis know as the capital S Self," she shares, reflecting on the moment she truly connected to her body and eternal soul.

As the founder of Body of Light Yoga School, Director of Education for The Primal Flow, and creator of BodyWell, Crystal now dedicates her life to guiding others on their transformative journeys. In this episode, we explore how yoga often starts as a physical practice but, with commitment, becomes a gateway to deeper self-awareness and spiritual connection.

Crystal offers a powerful reframe for those hesitant to begin:

"You don't have to be too dirty to take a bath. You have to take the bath to get clean."

We dive into how yoga peels back the layers of conditioning, allowing us to witness our experiences with compassion instead of judgment. Crystal also shares how the practice provides invaluable tools for managing triggers, responding instead of reacting, and finding clarity in the chaos.

If you're feeling disconnected or stuck, Crystal’s advice is simple yet profound: move your body, journal about what nourishes your spirit, and envision the life you want to create. For those seeking an even deeper transformation, she encourages considering yoga teacher training as a powerful portal to growth.

Ready to explore the magic of yoga beyond the mat? Connect with Crystal on Instagram @crystalcerratoyoga or visit bodywell.live for classes, resources, and wellness support. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on discovering your inner radiance, strength, and limitless potential through the practice of yoga.

Want to get certified in The Primal Flow? Check out the latest certification happening July 2025. theprimalflow.com/certifications

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened | Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

Feeling the weight of unfulfilled New Year’s resolutions? You’re not alone. The truth is, January isn’t the real start of the year—Aries season is. As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces marks the true ending, a time for reflection, release, and deep inner work before the fresh energy of Aries season and spring’s renewal.

In this episode of The Nearly Enlightened Podcast, host Giana Giarrusso explores why so many resolutions fail and how to align your personal growth with the natural rhythms of the seasons. Instead of forcing new habits in the depths of winter, now is the time to slow down, nurture yourself, and plant seeds of intention that will bloom when spring arrives.

You’ll learn:
✨ Why winter is for rest, not hustle—and how to honor that
✨ The deep meaning of Pisces season and its role in personal transformation
✨ How to embrace this time for reflection, release, and intuitive goal-setting
✨ How Aries season and the arrival of spring bring fresh energy for action

If you've felt out of sync with your goals or pressured to make changes before you were ready, this episode is your permission slip to reset and realign. Tune in now, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and tag @nearlyenlightened on Instagram—let’s keep this conversation going!

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened

We want to hear from you! Send us a text message.

After a life-changing car accident took away her sense of taste and smell, Kelly McMenamin, founder of Forest Farms, embarked on a transformative journey into beekeeping, clean beauty, and holistic wellness. In this inspiring episode, Kelly shares how nature became her greatest healer, leading her to embrace organic living, herbal remedies, and intentional self-care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🌿 How Kelly turned adversity into a thriving wellness brand
🍯 The power of beeswax, tallow, and oils in skincare
🫒 Why natural ingredients outperform synthetic beauty products
🌱 Healing benefits of herbs like comfrey and oregano
🧘‍♀️ Yoga and mindfulness as essential tools for intentional living
🏡 How connecting with nature strengthens personal and community well-being

From handcrafted lotion bars to the wonders of castor oil, Kelly reveals the secrets behind nourishing your skin—without toxins. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to simplify their lifestyle, embrace clean beauty, and reconnect with nature’s wisdom.

Tune in and discover how small, intentional choices can transform your health, skin, and spirit. 🎧✨

Nearly Enlightened Podcast
Your high-vibe toolbox to connect with your body, mind, and spirit. Empowering you to uncover your Inner Wisdom.

Subscribe & Listen on your favorite platform.

Explore More: Meditate to Elevate | Blog | Free Guide
Let's grow together: @nearlyenlightened |  Nearly Enlightened