What is shadow work, and how does it shape our relationship with pleasure? What might our judgments reveal about our own inner landscape? And how can we transform shame into personal power?

This is one of the rawest/spiciest conversations we’ve had on The Morning Ritual. Charlene and I sit down with the incredible Ashka Zasada, whose work is all about embodiment, pleasure, and play—helping others awaken to their own aliveness in the everyday.

Connect with Ashka: https://ashkazasada.com/ & @ashka.zasada

A Gift for TMR Listeners

As a thank-you for being part of our community, enjoy a free class at The Space, our yoga and sound healing studio in London. Use code TMRSPACE when booking and come say hi! https://www.thespacelondon.co.uk/

Loving the podcast? Leaving a rating or review helps more than you know—it truly makes our day.

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In this episode, we explore the practice of Metta meditation—sending loving-kindness to ourselves, loved ones, and even those we find difficult. Inspired by my recent conversation with astrologer Barrie Dolnick, this practice helps shift frustration and resentment into compassion and ease. #blessingsandpeace 

Want to learn more about the Spring Equinox and what to expect astrologically this March? Listen to the previous episode with Barrie Dolnick here: https://www.themorningritualpodcast.com/ 

Enjoying TMR? Be sure to leave a rating and/or review! It makes our day.

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March 20th marks the first day of spring—the Spring Equinox—often referred to as Mother Nature’s New Year. Katrina and I sit down with our astrologer, Barrie Dolnick, to explore how we can align with this powerful transition. In this episode, we discuss:

• What to expect as we move out of Mars retrograde and into the Spring Equinox
• How to embrace eclipse season (and the uncomfortable parts of ourselves) 
• Using astrology as a tool for empowerment and conscious living
• The major planetary shifts initiating in March
• Rituals to align with the Spring Equinox 

Connect with Barrie at www.barriedolnick.com

Check out Barrie's book, including the Simple Spells series, here.

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In this guided meditation, Maureen Walsh invites you to connect with your own energy, offering a practice to cleanse, recharge, and unlock on a subtle, energetic level. Through gentle guidance, you’ll explore ways to nurture and protect your energetic field, leaving you feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned.

Learn more about Maureen and her work: lookformeinthestars.com/group-container

Listen to my latest conversation with Maureen, 'Understanding Intuition and Energy Work' here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TMKOWyHZ8IvJSjyCp2fM6?si=9195f79735b04775

Enjoy The Morning Ritual? If this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a rating or review—it helps others discover the show! You can also share it with a friend who could use a moment of stillness and renewal. Your support means the world.

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In this episode of The Morning Ritual, I sit down with my energy healer Maureen Walsh- a multifaceted international artist, guide, and teacher who has dedicated the past two decades to immersing herself in the realms of yoga, meditation, art and mysticism. For the last ten years, she has been professionally practicing and refining her skills in the healing arts. Her expertise spans a wide range of modalities, including visionary and biodynamic craniosacral therapy, as well as several trauma-informed energetic healing techniques.

We talk about: 

• Her personal journey
• My experience of working with Maureen for 40 days straight
• Ancestral healing & inner child work 
• The importance of grounding + a quick practice to ground down

Join Maureen’s upcoming 40-day Expansion Portal starting March 4th, 2025. Learn more:

https://lookformeinthestars.com/group-container 

Connect with Maureen: 

Website- https://lookformeinthestars.com/ 

Instagram - @moewalsh11 

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New Season! This is episode 1 of The Morning Ritual's 11th season and we're celebrating nature’s new year and the New Moon in Aquarius!

In this episode, I explore how to make the most of this new chapter and realign with your deepest desires. Plus, in part two, I guide you through a meditation to ground you into this fresh cycle and open your mind to new possibilities.

Get 45% off Magic Mind at www.magicmind.co/tmrpodjan

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

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Meditate on the winter solstice and learn how to set intentions for 2025 in today’s episode. What to expect:

• Reflection prompts to release what no longer serves you.
• Guided visualization to set intentions for the year ahead.
• Embrace the stillness of the longest night of the year to pause, reflect, and realign.

The solstice reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the light is always waiting to return.

Download the FREE Winter Solstice PDF here. 

If you enjoyed this meditation, please rate and review to help others discover the podcast.

Want to connect? You can find me at lillybalch.com and @lillybalch on insta 

Wishing you a season of rest and renewal xx

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In today's episode Lilly and her co-host Katrina sit down with astrologer, tarot card reader, and author Barrie Dolnick. Known for her bestselling Simple Spells books, Barrie shares her journey from a high-paced marketing career in NYC to a life dedicated to guiding others through astrology and tarot. They cover:

• Barrie's shift from corporate life to astrology and writing.
• Understanding your Saturn Return and how to navigate this transformative period.
• The importance of moving out of the head and into the heart for deeper alignment.
• Practical insights on harnessing the energy of the upcoming Winter Solstice.
• Barrie’s predictions for 2025 and what the stars have in store for us.
• Can astrology tell you when you'll fall in love? (Plus rituals to attract love)

Barrie will be returning to the show this Spring! Do you have any questions for her? Ask them here.

Check out Barrie's book, including the Simple Spells series, here.

Connect with Barrie at www.barriedolnick.com

Download Barrie's free Winter Solstice Ritual here.

Enjoying TMR? Be sure to leave a rating and/or review! It makes our day.

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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

Enjoying The Morning Ritual? It would mean the world if you left a rating and/or review.

Connect with Lilly at www.lillybalch.com

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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.

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