**Announcement** I’ll be facilitating several breathwork journeys in Sarasota, Florida through early December, collaborating with some of my favorite local communities — including The Wellness Space, Root Collective, and Mindful Blooms Farm! The first session is Sunday morning, October 12th: Details here ***** In this episode, host Masako Kozawa sits down with Reiki master and hypnotherapist Noreen Kelly to explore the path of spiritual awakening and surrender. Together, they discuss energy h...
In this first episode of a special mini-series, "East meets East in the West: A dialogue between two Japanese women" host Masako Kozawa is joined by fellow Japanese healer, Akiko Hoshihara, to explore the world of Reiki and energy healing. Together, they discuss what Reiki truly is, how it connects us to universal life force energy, and why deep relaxation is the key to natural healing. The conversation also touches on the body’s energy maps - chakras, dantians, and meridians - as well as ins...
What morals and virtues guide the way you move through daily life? Do you have a framework that helps you navigate challenges and see the world through a clearer lens? In today’s episode, we welcome Zachary Pontrello, an embodied leadership coach and meditation guide. With more than a decade of study in ancient traditions, esoteric philosophy, and transformational psychology, Zachary has taught meditation to hundreds of people around the world. His work helps others reconnect with their inner...
In this episode, we welcome Maria Luedeke, psychotherapist and co-founder of The Wellness Space, Sarasota, Florida. We explore how integrating therapy, meditation, and journaling can support healing, resilience, and authentic growth. Maria also shares why fun and play are essential for well-being, and how to bring these practices into everyday life. About Maria & The Wellness Space: WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Resources discussed in this episode: What is Instinctive Meditation? W...
In this inspiring episode, we welcome meditation and yoga teacher Kyle Schauenberg, co-founder of The Wellness Space in Sarasota, Florida. Kyle shares how the Instinctive Meditation approach helped her navigate chronic anxiety, embrace motherhood with presence, and turn her dream of creating a healing sanctuary into a reality. We explore how to make meditation a lived, embodied practice; meeting anxiety with self-compassion and awareness; why connecting from within changes everything; turning...
In this powerful continuation of the host, Masako's conversation with the incredible Sat Devbir, international teacher, speaker, coach, energy healer, and co-founder of Mansion of the Heart University, we explore what it means to truly awaken and embody your soul’s calling. ✨ In this episode, we discuss: Why trust is the ultimate life hackHow to liberate yourself from the fear matrixThe soul's journey and the purpose behind life's challengesHow to reconnect with your inner guidanceWhat it mea...
In this episode, Sat Devbir shares his remarkable spiritual journey from being an extrasensory child to becoming a spiritual teacher. He describes how following an inner voice led him to discover meditation, work with crystals, engage in yoga teacher training, and ultimately transition from a high-stress career in sales and marketing to a fulfilling path as a spiritual healer. He shares insights on the practical benefits of meditation and how it helps in downregulating the nervous system, fos...
What is your soul's calling? Why are you here? In this episode, we explore the journey of discovering your soul’s calling with Michael Thornhill, co-founder of Inner Truth Seekers. We talk about the role of meditation in awakening, how to navigate life transitions when your purpose becomes clear, and how to embody both abundance and authenticity. If you’re feeling called to live in greater alignment with your true self, this conversation is for you. About Michael: Website: innertruthseekers...
In this episode, host Masako interviews Marie Viola, a seasoned Reiki practitioner and the creator of the Sacred Activators card deck. Marie shares her spiritual journey, how her path through meditation and Reiki led to the creation of high-frequency healing tools designed to support deep energetic alignment. They explore the power of living from the heart and how individual inner peace can contribute to collective transformation. The episode concludes with a beautiful, guided meditatio...
In this second half of the interview with Akiko Hoshihara, a gifted healer of Reiki, hypnotherapy, and intuitive readings, delves into her experiences and understanding of being a star seed: a soul originating from other star systems. She discusses the unique qualities and sensitivities of star seeds, their cosmic origins, and their role in aiding human consciousness during Earth's ascension. Akiko also shares her personal journey, including past life memories from Orion and Pleiades, a...
In this episode, the host, Masako, is joined by Akiko Hoshihara—a gifted healer blending Reiki, hypnotherapy, and intuitive readings. Akiko shares her personal spiritual awakening journey and how life’s challenges became gateways to deeper self-discovery and soul-aligned purpose. The conversation expands into the non-linear nature of awakening, the activation of intuitive gifts, connecting with the Higher Self, and the power of inner child and past life healing. Akiko also reminds us that ev...
In this sacred conversation, we explore the deep wisdom of the body, the healing power of meditation, and the quiet medicine that lives within us all. Our guest, Dr. Sharon Juraszek, is a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine, founder of Fermentlicious, and the visionary behind Happy Bellies Mater INC. She shares her personal healing journey, including reversing Hashimoto’s, and her passion for the mind-gut connection, conscious food practices, and the transformative power of presence. Sharon speaks ...
In this episode, host Masako interviews Sintia Mazon, a practitioner based in Istanbul, Turkey, with an extensive background in holistic health and meditation. Sintia narrates her transformative journey from co-owning a computer learning center until 2000 to pivoting towards holistic healing practices. Initially skeptical, she was introduced to Reiki and subsequently immersed herself in various forms of energy healing, breathwork, and meditation. Sintia emphasizes the importance o...
What is your unconventional addiction? Is it certain food, dysfunctional relationships, dramas, overworking, or mindlessly scrolling through social media? No judgment, we all have at least one thing that we use in order to soothe and numb ourselves. In this episode, an author, photographer, and certified life coach, Kristine Casart, shares her inspiring journey of traveling the world, seeking a sense of belonging, and healing from childhood trauma and codependency. In her recently...
In this episode of the Why Not Meditate? podcast, host Masako welcomes Waxela Sananda, a spiritual teacher with extensive experience in meditation, ascension, and breathwork. Waxela shares her journey from childhood meditation experiences to advanced spiritual practices, including working with Dr. Joe Dispenza and shamanic training. She discusses the concept of embodied ascension, the importance of integrating spirituality into daily life, and her own path to balancing work, personal gr...
**Announcement** A collection of my photography work is currently on display at Pastry Art Café in Sarasota, Florida, through the end of May. If you’re in town, I hope you’ll stop by and see it in person! You can also view all the pieces here. ************************ In this episode, Vivie Bishop and Hans Hoogeveen share their transformative journeys with meditation, their serendipitous meeting, and evolving spiritual practices. Vivie discusses her extensive experience with Dr Joe Dispenza's...
Navigating the new unknown, anyone? In this episode, we welcome Chetna Lawless, a modern day mystic, healer, and shaman. Having embraced her intuitive gifts since childhood, Chetna discusses the importance of meditation in accessing intuitive abilities and details her journey through various cultural experiences, including Japan, which profoundly affected her meditative practices. We delve into the relationship between meditation, shamanic work, and personal transformation, offeri...
In this episode of the 'Why Not Meditate' podcast, Dr. Catherine Corona discusses her over 60-year-long journey with meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual practices. Catherine elaborates on different levels of consciousness, the impact of spiritual practices on personal growth, and practical ways to integrate mindfulness into everyday life. About Catherine: InstagramtiktokSign up for 12 months of daily guided Spiritual PracticesReceive daily inspirational quotes here Resources...
In this special season premiere episode, the host Masako swaps roles from interviewer to interviewee, sharing the profound shifts and manifestations in her life throughout 2024. The interviewer, John Chao and Masako reflect on the transformative power of trusting the unknown and embracing life's uncertainties, especially in the context of finding a life partner and pursuing creative passions. The conversation highlights the journey of integrating a new partner into family life and shedding t...
In this special season premiere episode, the host Masako swaps roles from interviewer to interviewee, sharing the profound shifts and manifestations in her life throughout 2024. Guided by her intuition, she reflects on attending Dr. Joe Dispenza retreats, meeting her life partner, and embracing new roles such as a breathwork facilitator. The interviewer, John Chao and Masako discuss the importance of courage in following one's intuition and embracing discomfort and change. Listen to Episod...