Meditations with Vanessa

Tonight's story is "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen. A classic fairy tale about an emperor who loves clothes, even those with magical properties. While this story isn't overly related to Christmas, it's a fun one related to our unintentional theme this year... making clothing! This relaxing, funny, and magical story is told by Taylor from OverAchievers and T's Table.  Fo...

"A Letter from Santa Claus" was written by Mark Twain to his children on Christmas. In this letter Santa writes to Susy Clemens on Christmas morning regarding clarification about the gift she's asked for.  I hope you'll all enjoy this story as much as I do! This amazing rendition is voiced by Taylor from OverAchievers and T's Table.  Find more of Taylor on your favourite podcast host (ht...

Tonight I read you "The Elves and the Shoemaker", a classic fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, about some mysterious little helpers who have an interesting reaction to their own Christmas gift.  Wishing you a restful sleep, and happy holidays! - If you like this episode please consider subscribing to the podcast to stay up to date with upcoming stories and episodes. You can also find me on inst...

This evening's relaxing and festive bedtime story is about a tailor (and his cat Simpkin!) rushing to prepare a special Christmas day coat for the mayor of Gloucester. "The Tailor of Gloucester" by Beatrix Potter is read tonight by our returning special guest Jon! I absolutely loved Jon's telling of the story, and love all the amazing art in Beatrix Potter books as well! I hope this story helps ge...

A roughly 15 minute guided meditation on slowing down and becoming more in tune with both yourself and the natural environment around you.  - Support the Podcast by ‘buying me a coffee’ at https://ko-fi.com/meditationswithvanessa Wishing you peace, love, and health! - Episode Music: Adrift Among Infinite Stars by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com...

A short 8 to 9 minute guided present moment awareness meditation you can do any time and anywhere to become more grounded in the present moment.  This quick meditation is beginner friendly and focuses on observing different feelings, senses, and thoughts as they arrive. Some days you may find this more challenging than others, and some days this meditation may pass by easily. You can rep...

Today I share a free 15 minute guided meditation for stress relief. This episode is all about relaxing and softening to counteract the stress we face on a day-to-day basis. The theme of softening and relaxing is applied to the breath, the body, and the mind with a mantra in this 15 minute class.  In an effort to create balance, this meditation focuses on removing tension in the mind, the brea...

A super relaxing 10 to 15 minute meditation you can do lying down to release stress. This class calls for breathwork, so if you struggle with some of the holds don't worry and just make sure you're lengthening the inhales and exhales as best you can. You can always return to this class again and see how you've improved if you do struggle with it! After our three part breathwork is a guided relaxat...

A 10 minute guided meditation on opening the heart, the mind, and the body. This meditation class is about opening space so that you can release, relax, and give and receive more fully in your life. Remove stress and tension with the breath, and allow space to receive anytime with this quick meditation.  Sending you love and light, and I hope you find this meditation helpful! - The following...

A quick 5 minute meditation - set to music - to help those with a busy mind find a little pocket of relaxation. Enjoy! Sending peace and love. - The following music was used for this media project: Music: Sweet Romantic Oriental Piano Song by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7075-sweet-romantic-oriental-piano-song License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artis...

A 15 minute meditation going back to the basics.  This beginner meditation covers the idea of being gentle with yourself, observing the breath and body, what it means to "breathe into" part of the body, why it's often recommended to journal after meditation, the tradition of "Namaste" at the end of yoga and meditation classes, and the importance of PRACTICING. Hope this one helps break down a...

Today's 10 minute meditation is all about visualization! We'll be using visualization to invite in the emotion associated with any intentions or feelings we want more of in our lives. This class was made to follow last week's, in that after clearing out the old, we should have some extra space to let in all the new things we want to cultivate in our lives. Hope you enjoy this one! Namaste. - Music...

A 15 minute guided meditation inspired by energy flow, chakras, and reiki practices. This class includes slightly more advanced breathing and visualization practices, but I hope this class serves you in helping release any emotional or physical tension you may have been carrying without noticing. Namaste! - The following music was used for this media project: Music: Dawn Forest Healing (Loopable)...

"Christmas in July"? New-Years in July! Today's meditation episode is a 15 minute belated New Years special for 2022! This mindfulness class is all about taking back the power you hold in choosing what to let go of. We release both mental and physical tension through the breath and imaginative cord-cutting.  I hope you enjoy and find it useful. Namaste! - Music: Relaxing Peaceful Presence by...

Today's holiday story is "The Velveteen Rabbit: or How Toys Become Real" by Margery Williams. A classic story about a Christmas present who learns what it means to be "real".  This relaxing and magical Christmas inspired tale is told by our main podcast host, Vanessa. I hope you'll love the final episode of our sleepy bedtime stories, and that you feel thoroughly relaxed and festive after thi...

Tonight's holiday bedtime story is "Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement C. Moore. A classic tale about a Jolly fellow who delivers presents with his sleigh and reindeer.  This sleepy story is told by returning guest Jon of Noise Berry Games.  Cozy up and enjoy our shortest relaxing tale this holiday season! - Find more of Jon and Noise Berry Games at: h...

The third and final part of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic, told by Alex Mildenberger and Jake "The Snake" of Cover Me Pod. One of the most theatrical tellings of our story, follow as we reach the final conclusion of this holiday tale. What message does the third spirit have in store? Will Scrooge learn to change his ways? Listen on to find out. And be sure to let these gents know if you loved...

The second part of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic, told by yours truly. Relax, enjoy, and join us tomorrow for the third and final part of the story. Happy holidays! - Find me on instagram and facebook @vanessanollyoga, and like and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred platform to stay up to date! - Music: Carol Of The Bells [Celtic Version] by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic....

The first part of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic "A Christmas Carol", told by actors Keshia Cheesman and Bianca Miranda. A theatrical yet relaxing telling of the story of one old Mr. Scrooge, who learns a lesson about kindness and holiday cheer in an inexplicable way. What will become of Mr. Scrooge and how will Christmas go? Stay tuned to find out! Be sure to follow and subscribe to make sure...

And so the Meditations with Vanessa Holiday Story Special begins! Today on the podcast we have special guest Jon (AKA "JaR") from Noise Berry Games reading The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry! A memorable and unique Christmas story about the art of giving without expecting anything in return. We hope you'll enjoy this relaxing story style episode, and be sure to tune in during the 20th-25th of Decemb...

The final affirmation in the mantra guided meditation series is all about surrender and faith. What can you let go of? I hope you've enjoyed this episode, and thank you so much to those of you who made it through all the affirmations! Love and Light! - Music: Tranquility Base by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4542-tranquility-base License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-l...

The fourth in a series of short guided meditations focused on sitting with affirmations and mantras. This episode is all about cultivating a sense of calm, balance, and equanimity so that we can respond to life rather than simply reacting. I hope you enjoy this episode, and I'll see you next week for our final affirmation mantra meditation together! - Music: Tranquility Base by Kevin MacLeod Link:...

The third mantra affirmation guided meditation in the series. Today's episode is all about meditating on the topic of insight, and being honest with not only others, but ourselves. Feel free to set aside some time after today's meditation to journal anything that comes up for you. Namaste! - Music: Ancient Winds Preview by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5725-ancient-wind...

Today is the second mantra and affirmation guided meditation in the mini-series! Today is all about cultivating and growing a sense of love. Love for others, self love, and a broader understanding that it is safe to love. Hope you like this short guided affirmation meditation! Love and light! - Music: Elf Meditation Preview by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5728-elf-medi...

Today we begin a weekly mini-series on the podcast! For five weeks I'll be sharing a mantra and affirmation focused meditation that you can follow along with at home, and incorporate into your week! Today we begin with an affirmation all about cultivating a sense of ease and softness. This guided meditation is perfect when you've been too busy "doing" without enough "being". Hope you enjoy! And ho...