The Morning Ritual

Lilly records with her mentor and longtime teacher, Dana Slamp, at her studio in London. Dana Slamp is the founder of NYC's premier Yoga Therapy School, Prema Yoga Institute. Lilly and Dana discuss the what, why, and how of yoga therapy. Towards the end of their conversation, Dana demonstrates what ‘motivational interviewing’ is and coaches Lilly in real time.

Dana and Lilly cover the following topics:

1:50 - What is ‘Yoga Therapy’?

3:35 - Why would someone work with a yoga therapist?

5:15 - Cartesian thought and why the mind and body may be ‘disconnected’

8:00 - Lilly and Dana share what makes them feel whole

11:30 - “The difference between longing and belonging is being.” - DS

13:20 - A turning point in Dana’s life

19:30 - Dana and Lilly practice ‘Motivational Interviewing’

You can learn more and connect with Dana at www.danaslamp.com

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Connect with Lilly at www.lillybalch.com

This episode was inspired by the widely known study ‘A Wandering Mind is an Unhappy Mind’ (check out the study below). Let’s slow down, focus the mind, and connect back to the present moment. 

Enjoying TMR? Rate, review, enjoy and as always feel free to reach out on Instagram @lillybalch. Discover more at www.lillybalch.com 

A Wandering Mind is an Unhappy Mind- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21071660/

*This episode was first aired in May 2023.

East Forest is a pioneering figure in the psychedelic music space, known for his innovative approach to combining music and sound with personal transformation. In today's conversation, East Forest shares how he got into the world of psychedelics, what it’s like hosting mushroom ceremonies and the power of combining sound and psychedelics in ceremony. 

1:28 How East Forest starts his day 

2:00 The origin of the name ‘East Forest’

6:05 How East Forest's path led him to craft music specifically for psychedelic experiences

11:05 The integration process after a psilocybin ceremony

16:00 Working with Jon Hopkins and Ram Dass, the story behind "Sit Around the Fire" and how it came to be

26:00 The power of intentional listening 

28:45 The felt experience that psychedelics can provide

“Enlightenment comes in the next breath, it’s not actually hidden. It’s just the now and everything is fine right now. The nothingness is the gift”. - East Forest 

Learn more- https://eastforest.org/ 

Join Lilly Balch for a guided meditation designed to help you tap into your inner confidence and radiance. Through breathwork, visualization, and mindfulness, this practice will empower you to release fear, doubt, and insecurities, revealing the confident, radiant self that already resides within. This meditation will guide you in aligning with your true essence, helping you step into your day with grounded strength and authentic presence.

Connect with Lilly at www.lillybalch.com and on instagram @lillybalch.

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I’m super excited to share today’s conversation with the incredible Terri Cole! Terri is a licensed psychotherapist and an expert in personal empowerment. With over two decades of experience, she has worked with a wide range of clients, from international pop stars to Fortune 500 CEOs, helping them break free from self-limiting behaviors and reclaim their personal power.

In this episode, Terri and I dive into some truly transformative topics, including:

• 1:30 – The what, why, and how of healthy boundaries
• 9:00 – What is high-functioning codependency?
• 16:45 – The key symptoms of high-functioning codependency
• 28:45 – Why perfectionism is the thief of joy
• 32:55 – Why it’s so hard to embrace failure and let life get messy

Terri also shares insights from her upcoming book, Too Much: A Guide to Breaking the Cycle of High-Functioning Codependency, which you can pre-order here.

I loved this conversation, and I’m sure you will too!

A gift from Terri- Take the HFC quiz here and connect with Terri at www.terricole.com

What are you carrying? What can you release? In today's practice you're invited to use the breath to release the past and let go of judgment.

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Want to connect? Reach out on www.lillybalch.com

I loved having Barron back on the show. In today’s episode, we discuss:

• How meditation helped Barron navigate NYC’s hedonistic lifestyle
• His return to his hometown in Australia and his documentary 'Be Here Nowra'
• Vedic Meditation and the Maharishi Effect
• The concept of blending work with play
• How meditation can help you achieve more by doing less

This episode is filled with wisdom on slowing down, simplifying, and trusting the process of life. Plus, you’ll walk away with tangible tips to apply in your own journey.

Enjoy The Morning Ritual? Be sure to rate, review, or (even better) share this episode with a friend!

Connect with Barron: www.barronhanson.com

Happy Fall! In today's episode we honor the Autumn Equinox, a moment of balance between day and night, light and dark, growth and decay. It invites us to honor this equilibrium within ourselves, to reflect on what has grown in our lives, and to release what no longer serves us. Get comfy and listen in.

Download the Fall Worksheet here - www.lillybalch.com/fallrituals

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Enjoy this heart-centered meditation designed to help you acknowledge and care for whatever emotions arise with kindness and awareness. With the upcoming Full Moon in Pisces amplifying sensitivity and intuition, this is a powerful time for reflection and emotional release. Listen in to reconnect with your breath, identify your emotions, and offer yourself loving-kindness as you navigate the flow of your feelings.

Connect with Lilly at www.lillybalch.com and on instagram @lillybalch.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Ray Duhaney, founder of Ve Kitchen—a highly acclaimed vegan restaurant in London—and an extraordinary yoga teacher.

Ray shares his deeply personal journey, revealing the physical and emotional challenges he’s faced, including a debilitating hip injury that led him to discover yoga. Through his practice, Ray not only rehabilitated his body but also uncovered how unresolved trauma had taken root in his hips and core. Yoga became the key to processing these emotions, quieting the ego, and embracing inner stillness. In our conversation, we also explore:

• The connection between attachment and suffering
• How trauma and emotions can become stored in the body
• The eight limbs of yoga, focusing on Ahimsa (non-harming) and Brahmacharya (moderation), and how these principles have shaped Ray's journey toward self-awareness and personal growth

Connect with Ray here: https://www.i-guru.yoga/yoga/