Carmelinda Di Manno ( www.carmelindadimanno.com ) speaks about her path to yoga and rituals of self-care. She's a practitioner of Emotional Freedom Technique and is a conscious DJ having taught and practiced all around the world. In this episode, we speak about practices that support anxiety and movement of energy. Note: It is ok to not have a practice or rituals in mind when you listen to this episode. It is about finding moments of space to connect to self, such as, listening to this podcast episode and just taking a moment to yourself. Join us for this conversation by subscribing to the big tree mind podcast: www.lanalontos.com/podcast For further opportunities to connect with Lana: Instagram: www.instagram.com/lana_lontos Support for this podcast comes from donations from people like you. Became a patron and help produce more talks like this one by visiting www.bigtreemind.com/donate

Emerset Farquharson speaks about the body and the mind and how the body and the mind support each other. We are talking about the body and the mind working with each other rather than two parts fighting against each other. In this candid interview, Emerset shares his journey to this new perspective. This short episode is the inspiration for this season which focuses on presence and connection to self. To give further context: Imagine being tired and just lying down and taking a nap instead of feeling like you have to keep pushing. This episode has something to do with that. It has to do with what part of ourselves do we listen to? Do we listen to the body? Do we listen to the mind? When the body needs to rest or to move, how can the mind honour this need? When the mind needs to work through something, how can the body honour this need? Which part of us takes the lead and how can they work together instead of fighting each other? Join us for this conversation by subscribing to the big tree mind podcast: www.lanalontos.com/podcast For further opportunities to connect with Lana: Instagram: www.instagram.com/lana_lontos Support for this podcast comes from donations from people like you. Became a patron and help produce more talks like this one by visiting www.bigtreemind.com/donate

Dr. Sechaba Maape is a returning guest lecturer on this podcast season. He is the founder of https://www.afreetekture.com/, a ‘parallel design practice’. Dr Maape established Afreetekture as an alternative experimental practice aimed at producing architecture and other designs based on the philosophical and theoretical framework derived from his 10 years of in-depth study of indigenous knowledge systems and spaces in South Africa, and from the many generations of ancestors which live on in the culture and rituals in his community. In this intimate episode, we speak about hope being possible even in the most difficult circumstances and tools which have served along the way. Dr. Sechaba Maape, grew up in a bantustan territory in South Africa, and describes his journey of struggle and acceptance and growth. He is deeply tied to his community and his roots and gives an honest and personal perspective on his upbringing and challenges to becoming who he is today. Join us for this conversation by subscribing to the big tree mind podcast: www.lanalontos.com/podcast For further opportunities to connect with Lana: Instagram: www.instagram.com/lana_lontos Support for this podcast comes from donations from people like you. Became a patron and help produce more talks like this one by visiting www.bigtreemind.com/donate

This podcast season is about presence and the many ways we can come into a fuller connection with ourselves and our communities. How do we experience presence? What are the practices that allow us to reconnect with ourselves? Why are we buzzing so much? Why is it so difficult for us to be present? And what kind of patterns are we creating from this buzzy state? Lana Lontos is a registered psychotherapist in Toronto, and she gives an overview of the upcoming season and her journey to now. The golden thread in all episodes are guests with practices, rituals and modalities which support them in being more present and connected in all that they do, including their work. Connect: Instagram: www.instagram.com/lana_lontos Website: www.lanalontos.com Support for this podcast comes from donations from people like you. Became a patron and help produce more talks like this one by visiting www.bigtreemind.com/donate

Dr. Sechaba Maape is an architect and senior lecturer at the Wits School of Architecture and Planning. After completing his Master of Architecture (professional degree) he went on to undertake a PhD in architecture. His thesis explored people/place relationships, ritual and climate change adaptation among pre historic indigenous communities in Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province. His research enquiries led him to engage archaeological and paleontological material in depth. In his research Dr. Maape has always investigated the manner in which people survived change and variability, especially environmental change. His main finding, being that rituals played a significant role in fostering psychological, social and thus ecological adaptation, directed him to engage modern ritual spaces in South Africa towards deepening our understanding of the role of these practices and places in modern society.

We are told that practicing paying attention can change our lives. An interesting question can be what ways are we more grounded and open to change as a a result of being aware. Music by Ronin Imperial Production and editing by Emerset Farquharson. Visit us www.bigtreemind.com

Mike started making films in the 1980s as a daily practice. He is a five-time lifetime achievement award recipient. Mike Hoolboom, discusses his journey to making films and what he has learned along the way about praise, encouragement and feedback. Available on all podcast platforms: www.lanalontos.com/podcast This interview was recorded in Toronto in February of 2017 and would not be possible without the support of Fitzroy Facey, Kimberly Miller Pryce and Emerset Farquharson.

In this episode, Lana and Paul talk about what it means to have a daily practice and how we find ourselves in places of resistance. Paul Lara has been meditating for twenty years and has had a Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Reiki practice for over 15 years. He talks about his days of study in Japan and how his practice has changed since starting a family. Available on all podcast platforms: www.lanalontos.com/podcast This interview was recorded in Toronto is 2017 and would not be possible without the support of Fitzroy Facey, Kimberly Miller Pryce and Emerset Farquharson.

In this episode of the BigTreeMind podcast, Paul Lara and Lana talk about their practices and what it means to be a better human. We also talk about the wise use of sexual energy, student-teacher dynamics and intimacy. Available on all podcast platforms: www.lanalontos.com/podcast This episode would not be possible without the support of Fitzroy Facey, Kimberly Miller Pryce and Emerset Farquarhson.

This episode takes a slower and more detailed pace in discussing the relational approach to therapy, and communication. Tony Greco, a long time therapist and faculty at Gestalt Institute, shares tips on skills we need to be good therapists and why communication can feel so hard and confusing. Lana Lontos shares her personal experiences with therapy work and why it feels important along with yoga, meditation and self-care practices. This podcast moves through the perspectives of both therapist and client. Recorded in Toronto on February 26th, 2017. This episode would not have been made without the help and support of: Fitzroy Facey, Kimberly Miller Pryce, Emerset Farquharson and our guest Tony Greco. Available on all podcast platforms: www.lanalontos.com/podcast