Connecting to the Sacredness of Life, with Kristy LaMariana & Becky Wells of the Hippie Moms Podcast (by Becky & Kristy)

What would life be like if we lived more in the present moment—with more authenticity and the constant awareness that each kiss, hug, and word with our loved ones could be our last? How would our priorities shift? How would our relationships transform? These are the kinds of questions that stir the soul, and in a recent episode of The Hippie Moms Podcast, we dove deep into them with the incredible Kristy LaMariana.

Kristy is one of those rare individuals who carries a peaceful wisdom the moment she enters a space. We connected immediately, and it was clear that our meeting was no coincidence—it felt like fate. Her presence is both grounding and expansive, a reflection of the deep inner work she’s done throughout her life and career. With over 30 years of experience in the healing arts, Kristy brings a wealth of knowledge and a powerful, intuitive energy to her work.

She holds a Master of Science in Art Psychotherapy and is a Reiki Master in both Shamanic and Angelic lineages. In addition, she is a certified Ericksonian Clinical Hypnotherapist, a long time yoga teacher and a trained Past Life Regressionist. Her journey has been guided and enriched by some of the leading minds in spiritual and metaphysical studies—most notably, Dr. Raymond Moody, the pioneer of near-death experience research, who mentored Kristy privately. His influence is apparent in the way she speaks about death—not as something to be feared, but as a doorway into greater understanding and presence.

In our conversation, Kristy shared her insights on how we, especially as mothers and caregivers, can live with deeper intention and a stronger connection to the sacredness of life. She emphasizes the importance of slowing down and cultivating awareness—becoming more present not only with others, but within ourselves. Her words are a gentle reminder that our time here is finite, and that embracing our impermanence can actually enrich our lives, making each moment more meaningful.

We explored what might exist beyond the veil of death and how this awareness can transform how we show up in the world. When we live with the knowing that our time is limited, we become more aligned with our true values. We let go of what doesn’t serve us, and we begin to prioritize love, connection, and truth. This shift in perspective can be profoundly healing—not just for ourselves, but for our families and communities.

This episode is an invitation to reconnect—to your soul, your purpose, and the people you hold dear. It’s a call to live more fully, more presently, and more consciously. Kristy’s wisdom is a guiding light for anyone ready to step into a deeper, more soulful way of being.

Listen in, and allow yourself to be inspired to live each day as the sacred gift that it truly is.

Benefits and Applications

The MARI Card Test is versatile and can be used in various settings, such as psychotherapy, counseling, and personal development. One of the test’s key benefits is its ability to tap into the unconscious mind, allowing individuals to access parts of themselves that may not be readily accessible through traditional verbal therapy alone.

For therapists, the MARI Card Test offers a valuable diagnostic tool. It can help in assessing the emotional state of clients, detecting psychological imbalances, and identifying areas in need of attention or healing. Additionally, the test is often used to enhance self-awareness, as it encourages individuals to engage with their emotional and psychological states in a non-threatening and creative manner.

Furthermore, the MARI Card Test is known for its therapeutic qualities. By providing a non-verbal form of expression, the test allows clients to communicate complex feelings or difficult experiences without the constraints of language. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle to articulate their emotions or who may have experienced trauma.

In sum, the MARI Card Test is a unique and valuable tool for exploring the psyche, offering deep insights into a person’s inner world through the use of mandala imagery. It is particularly effective for individuals seeking personal growth or for therapists looking to assess and understand their clients more holistically. By incorporating this creative and reflective tool into therapy or self-exploration, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, thoughts, and unconscious desires, ultimately aiding in their journey toward balance and wholeness.

I studied and became certified to use the MARI card test in 1994.

Be Illuminated…

Your Muse~

Kristy

Firewalking in Modern-Day Use

In recent years, fire walking has become a popular feature in personal development workshops, leadership seminars, and motivational events. Modern-day fire walking is typically used as a tool for self-discovery and empowerment. The challenge of walking across hot coals forces participants to confront fear, doubt, and limiting beliefs, offering a profound sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

One of the most well-known proponents of fire walking is Tony Robbins, a motivational speaker and life coach, who incorporates firewalking into his seminars. Robbins uses the firewalk as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles, encouraging participants to embrace their inner strength and push through mental and emotional barriers. Tony Robbins was trained by Peggy Dylan, who brought fire walking to the western world. For many, the act of firewalking is not just a physical challenge, but a spiritual or psychological breakthrough that provides new perspectives on resilience, focus, and confidence.

In addition to personal development, firewalking is also used in therapeutic settings. Some practitioners use fire walking in combination with other techniques such as meditation, breathwork, or mindfulness, helping individuals release fear, trauma, or negative energy. The physical challenge of walking on fire can serve as a powerful catalyst for transformation, offering participants a tangible way to break through emotional barriers.

Fire walking is a practice that has transcended its ancient spiritual and cultural roots to become a modern tool for personal growth and empowerment. Whether viewed as a rite of passage, a way to build courage, or a symbolic representation of overcoming fear, firewalking continues to be a powerful and transformative experience. From its origins in ancient civilizations to its modern-day use in motivational workshops, fire walking serves as a reminder of our inherent strength and capacity for overcoming obstacles. With the right guidance and mindset, fire walking can ignite personal transformation, helping individuals step into their power and embrace challenges with confidence.

I studied Fire walking with Peggy Dylan in 1999. I have led corporate and private Fire walks.

Walk Outside of the Box!

Your Muse~

Kristy

5. Acceptance

The acceptance stage represents a sense of peace with the loss. It doesn’t mean that the person is “over” the loss, but rather that they have come to terms with it and can begin to move forward. In this stage, individuals may experience a sense of calm and understanding. They recognize the reality of the loss but are no longer consumed by the emotional turmoil. Acceptance can involve adjusting to life without the loved one and finding new ways to live meaningfully without their presence. This stage can be empowering, offering the possibility of healing and a renewed sense of purpose.

6. Meaning

In recent years, the sixth stage of grief has been introduced by some experts: the stage of meaning-making or finding meaning. This stage is about making sense of the loss and integrating it into one’s life. While the five original stages of grief focus on processing raw emotions, the sixth stage emphasizes the personal growth that can come from loss. This could involve finding a new purpose in life, honoring the memory of the deceased through actions, or gaining new insights into one’s own resilience. Meaning-making helps individuals find a way to continue living after their loss with a sense of hope and understanding.

Grief is a deeply personal journey, and the five stages (along with the newly recognized sixth stage) offer a way to understand the emotional upheaval that often accompanies loss. It’s important to remember that these stages are not linear, and individuals may experience them in any order or revisit stages over time. Everyone’s grief process is unique, and there is no “right” way to grieve. Whether you’re experiencing grief personally or supporting someone who is, it’s essential to approach it with patience, compassion, and understanding. Grief may never fully go away, but with time, support, and self-compassion, healing and meaning can emerge.

May You Dwell in Peace as You Integrate Grief Into the Tapestry of Yourself~

Your Muse~

Kristy

How Mandalas Promote Healing

Mandalas are particularly effective in art psychotherapy because of their calming, centering, and symbolic qualities. Here are several ways that mandalas promote healing:

Encouraging Self-Expression

When clients create mandalas, they are engaging in a form of self-expression that is nonverbal. This can be incredibly beneficial for individuals who find it difficult to express their emotions through words. The patterns, colors, and shapes chosen for the mandala can reflect the inner emotional state of the individual, providing valuable insights into their mental and emotional well-being.

Fostering Mindfulness and Focus

Creating mandalas requires focus and concentration, which can help individuals enter a meditative state. This mindfulness aspect of mandala creation can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and encourage a sense of calm. The repetitive, rhythmic nature of coloring or drawing mandalas can be soothing and help individuals stay present in the moment.

Promoting Integration and Wholeness

The circular shape of a mandala symbolizes unity and the wholeness of the self. For many individuals, the act of creating a mandala can help them feel more integrated, centered, and connected to their inner selves. This can be especially healing for individuals who feel fragmented, disconnected, or overwhelmed by their emotions.

Providing Insight and Reflection

As clients reflect on the mandalas they create, they can gain valuable insights into their emotional and psychological state. Art therapists often guide clients in exploring the symbolism of their mandalas, helping them uncover hidden emotions, desires, or unresolved issues. This process of self-reflection can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding.

Healing Trauma and Emotional Pain

For individuals who have experienced trauma or emotional pain, mandalas can offer a safe and gentle way to process difficult emotions. The creative process of making a mandala allows individuals to externalize and visualize their feelings, which can provide a sense of relief and catharsis. The mandala can act as a metaphorical container for painful emotions, allowing individuals to release and heal from their experiences.

Art psychotherapy, combined with the healing power of mandalas, offers a unique and transformative approach to emotional healing. Through the process of creating and reflecting on mandalas, individuals can access their subconscious, express difficult emotions, and promote self-awareness. The circular form and symbolic nature of the mandala help restore a sense of balance, unity, and wholeness, which can be especially valuable for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, or emotional turmoil. Whether used as a therapeutic tool or for personal reflection, mandalas offer a path toward healing, self-discovery, and emotional well-being.

I studied and earned a Master’s Degree in Art Psychotherapy from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1994.

Be Illuminated…

Your Muse~

Kristy

Meditation: Cultivating Mindfulness/Senseful

Living and Inner Peace

Meditation is the practice of training the mind to be still, present, and focused. While yoga and breathing exercises help to prepare the body and breath, meditation offers a deeper level of mental clarity and mindfulness. In meditation, the goal is not to eliminate thoughts but to observe them without judgment, allowing them to come and go freely. This practice fosters a state of awareness and presence, helping individuals become more attuned to their thoughts, emotions, and sensations.

There are many forms of meditation, from mindfulness meditation, which focuses on observing the breath and bodily sensations, to loving-kindness meditation, which cultivates compassion and empathy toward oneself and others. The key to meditation is consistency and patience. Over time, regular meditation practice helps to reduce stress, improve focus, enhance emotional regulation, and promote overall well-being.

Meditation can be integrated into yoga practice by taking a few moments at the end of a session to sit quietly and observe the breath or thoughts. Many yoga classes end with a period of guided meditation, where students are encouraged to rest in a state of stillness and mindfulness. I love to lead guided visual imagery and actually wrote my graduate thesis on the power of guided visual imagery to reduce anxiety.

The Synergy of Yoga, Breathing, and Meditation

When practiced together, yoga, breathing, and meditation form a powerful trio that nurtures body, mind and soul. Yoga provides the foundation for physical health, breathing regulates the body’s energy, and meditation nurtures the mind’s clarity and stillness. Together, these practices promote a balanced, holistic approach to well-being.

Yoga’s physical movements help release tension stored in the body, making it easier to breathe deeply and mindfully. As you move through yoga poses, you’ll find that your breath becomes more controlled and intentional. This deepened breath then supports meditation, allowing you to enter a state of calm and mindfulness more easily.

Incorporating yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation into your daily routine doesn’t require hours of commitment. Just a few minutes of mindful breathing, a short yoga session, or a brief meditation practice can have profound effects on your physical health and mental clarity.

Yoga, breathing and meditation are not only practices but powerful tools that help us reconnect with our true selves. They offer a pathway to healing, balance, and inner peace in a world that often feels overwhelming. By combining these practices, we can cultivate greater awareness, reduce stress, and nurture our body, mind and spirit. Whether you’re new to these practices or looking to deepen your experience, remember that the journey toward well-being begins with the first conscious breath.

I studied and became a certified Yoga Teacher in 1998, at The Rose Mountain Retreat in Las Vegas, NM with Lex Gillan of the Yoga Insitiute of Houston.

Namaste…

Your Muse~

Kristy

O’Wakening…

What is O’Wakening? What does it mean to O’Waken? This terminology came to me in 2018.

O’Wakening is a play on the word, awakening. O’Wakening is a process and an experience of coming Full Circle, back to your own Intuition, Inner Wisdom and Inner Peace.
The O represents the eternal nature of the cycles of life and death within ourselves. It is the totality of self and our connection with others. The circle also signifies wholeness, harmony and unity. O’Wakening is an odyssey into self through Senseful Living.

What is Senseful Living?

Senseful Living is the Deconstruction of Mindfulness and is Practiced by being consciously, engaged in and aroused by the Five Senses of Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste and Touch.

O’Wakening Through Senseful Living is a holistic experience whereby one becomes connected to oneself and to one’s senses. Senseful Living is coming home to yourself through your senses. By mastering the elements of your mind and body, you can have a greater experience of living. We tend to take our senses for granted. When we take time to be present, we can merge with the deepest parts of ourselves. Our senses are the cornerstone of a delightful life!

As the great French philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Using one’s Intuition by O’Wakening to Senseful Living is a perfect way to embrace and elevate the human experience.

In closing, learning to identify and listen to our intuition prepares us for O’Wakening to Senseful Living. When we embrace this lifestyle, we begin to develop an illuminated appreciation for the simple things in life like the smell of roses, the taste of a juicy peach, the sound of our favorite song, the sight of a magical rainbow and the feeling of a good, long hug.

Welcome, to a new paradigm…to a new way of being…to new agreements about the circle of life and death.

Your Muse~
Kristy

By graduate school, I had shifted to a vegetarian diet, avoiding oils and fried foods. A few years later, I enrolled in yoga teacher training, where I learned a lot about mindful eating and food gunas. My yoga teacher, who had once been significantly overweight, lost 150 pounds by practicing mindful eating. This approach teaches individuals to be fully present during every aspect of food: from grocery shopping and cooking to eating and cleaning up afterward. Mindful eating encourages people to slow down and engage consciously in their meals, promoting healthier habits.

During yoga teacher training, I also encountered the concept of food gunas. Gunas refer to qualities of nature, states of consciousness, and the vibrations of food, which can impact our overall wellbeing. After learning about these teachings, I decided to continue with a vegetarian diet, feeling aligned with its benefits.

For nine years, I maintained a vegetarian diet. However, I eventually transitioned to eating clean, locally sourced meats, wild-caught fish, and plenty of salads and vegetables while avoiding simple carbs and fried foods. This eating pattern lasted from 2002 to 2015. Afterward, I returned to a vegetarian diet for two years before finally adopting a plant-based, vegan lifestyle, which I have followed ever since.

Throughout my adult life, I have practiced intermittent fasting intuitively, and it has helped with weight maintenance. This routine has been beneficial for my body and mind, and it remains a vital aspect of my lifestyle.

Ultimately, our relationship with food is deeply personal, and the journey is ongoing. Mindful and conscious eating can profoundly impact our lives, shaping not only our health but our overall well-being.

To Health~

Your Muse~

Kristy

It might be AI, but it’s a great little story! Enjoy!

In Corrales, March 2025, Elara, a young woman with a penchant for books and a spine as straight as the Rio Grande, found herself unexpectedly in a tale of posture, where she faced not the threat of an enemy, but the subtle yet significant pressure of cultural expectations and self-imposed judgements.

Here’s Elara’s story:

The Curious Case of the Slouch

Corrales, a town where adobe structures seemed to breathe with the desert wind, was also a place where traditions, like the expected “upright” posture, had taken root. Elara, however, felt a peculiar dissonance with this expectation. She wasn’t naturally drawn to rigidity; instead, she found comfort in the gentle curves her spine naturally took, a preference that led others to point out her “slouch.”

Her mother, a pillar of the community, gently, yet insistently, reminded her to “stand tall, Elara, like a proud tree,” while neighbors, witnessing her leaning into books, would offer concerned sighs and unsolicited posture advice. Elara’s friends, though well-meaning, often teased her about her perceived lack of “officiousness,” and she began to feel the weight of their judgments pressing down on her, making her hunch further, ironically reinforcing their concerns.

A Discovery of Self

One day, during a leisurely stroll through the community park, Elara stumbled upon a small, tucked-away bookshop, a place she had previously passed countless times. Within, she met a kind old man named Señor Vargas, a retired carpenter known for his gentle demeanor and his uncanny ability to see beyond appearances.

Señor Vargas, with his own gently bent back from years of work, understood Elara’s story. He shared stories of the many postures that the world demanded, from the tight-backed stances of soldiers to the languid curves of the dancers, and spoke of the beauty of each posture, not as a measure of virtue, but as a natural reflection of the soul. He taught Elara that true strength wasn’t about maintaining a rigid facade, but about embracing the natural curve of the spine, not as a sign of weakness, but as a testament to one’s independence.

A New Perspective

Armed with Señor Vargas’ understanding, Elara began to approach her posture, not as a source of criticism, but as a source of personal identity. She realized that true beauty wasn’t about conforming to social expectations but about honoring her own uniqueness. She began to stand tall, with a quiet confidence, a natural “S” curve, her shoulders relaxed, and a smile that mirrored the desert sun. Her new confidence, no longer based on the judgment of others, but rather her own inner conviction, allowed her to face any situation with grace.

Elara’s tale serves as a reminder that posture, like life itself, is a journey, a dance between the constraints of society and the boundless possibilities of the self. The real strength lies not in striving for an artificial rigidness, but in embracing the natural curve of one’s own spirit.