Michelle Berc

Background:

Michelle Berc has been practicing Sound Healing for over a decade and has received a certification in the field from the Sound & Consciousness Institute in San Francisco. Additional trainings include Vibrational Sound Therapy, self-studies, and multiple workshops from leaders in the sound therapy field. She is known for her ‘Sonic Being’ signature chakra balancing sound bath with the crystal bowls. She recently became a certified HeartMath practitioner and continues exploring the array of vibrational healing modalities available today. Her sessions are heart-centered and infuse teachings that elevate the mind, body, spirit connection.

Michelle is also the founder and curator of the Create:Fixate Foundation, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to supporting emerging artists and musicians. Exploring and understanding human energy through art and music has been a passion of Michelle’s since her childhood.

Why I practice meditation:

Meditation offers me a time and space to stay balanced and become completely present with my mind, body, and spirit. In the stillness, I enter a peaceful place that allows me to listen to my body and most importantly tune into my heart. I like to combine multiple meditation practices and have found working with sound and breath to be the most powerful. 

Why I teach meditation:

With today’s technology driven lifestyle and western society’s influence of reaching outside of ourselves for gratification, many are disconnected from their inner vibrational source. Through sound meditation, my goal is to lead individuals back to their natural vibrational being, heal through balancing the energetic centers, create inner harmony, and most importantly create a space where one can find all the answers from within. 

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Diego Wallraff

Background:

As a Colombian/German hybrid, Diego moves fluidly between the Performing Arts and the Healing Arts. 

When not on stage or on a TV/film-set he dedicates his time to helping fellow humans overcome all kinds of challenges...

His work (with private clients and in workshops) guides people into the field of personal growth and healthy relationships and supports healing from injuries and sexual trauma.

He applies his skills as a master bodyworker and sex & relationship coach - he holds certifications in various modalities: Sexological Bodywork, Shiatsu, yoga, breathwork, tantra and intimacy coaching.

A former musician Diego learned how to apply sound for healing from his teachers Gongmaster Don Conreaux and Suren Shresta from Nepal.

He uses Tibetan & Crystal Bowls, PAISTE Planetary gongs and other vibrational instruments to facilitate sound journeys to help clear the energetic system, create deep relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Why I practice meditation:

For me meditation is such an effective tool for creating a happy life - I would even go as far as saying ecstatic!

It helps me create space between me and what's happening around me - giving me an opportunity to be less reactive and more of a witness (to what's happening) and then choose my responses.

Also, it helps me clear "mind-clutter" and press the "reset button" of my human operating system - thereby activating the built-in self-healing potential of the body when things are off.

Why I teach meditation:

To pass on the profound teachings I have received in the field of personal growth & healing and to help fellow humans live a happy life to their fullest potential.

For me sound healing and breath is pure medicine!


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Chris Plourde

Background:

Chris Plourde, an Elite Performance Coach, has worked with top athletes, Fortune 500 companies, celebrities, high level executives, busy moms and dads, and even military Special Ops personnel. While the needs of all of these types of people may vary, the core concept is the same: The way you approach one thing in life is the way you approach everything in life. Allowing our true instincts to shine by connecting deeply with ourselves is essential for happiness, serenity and success. Come join Chris as he explores this internal journey with you and discover how to overcome obstacles, manifest opportunity and access your fullest potential.

Classes/privates taught at Unplug:

  • Meditation and Breathwork

Why I practice meditation:

To be able to connect to a deeper, wiser, authentic part of myself.

Why I teach meditation:

To empower others to get in touch with their deeper selves and intuition so they can live their best lives.


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Aimee Bello

Background:

My practice in the teaching and healing arts began in Chicago as an English teacher and then as a school and community counselor. After moving to Los Angeles in 2010, I expanded my experiences by becoming a yoga instructor, reiki teacher, healer and intuitive guide.

CLASSES/PRIVATES TAUGHT AT UNPLUG:

  • Crystal Healing

  • Past Life Regression Meditations

  • Breathwork

  • Mantra and Guided Meditations

  • Reiki

Why I practice meditation:

To maintain grace in the ungraceful moments of life.

Why I teach meditation:

To master something is to teach it. Also to share with others a way of living that has helped me come through life in ways beyond my expectations. We are limitless!

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Angela Whittaker

Background:

Angela has been a meditation teacher for nearly 20 years. She studied meditation with Deepak Chopra and became one of his certified instructors. Angela used to have a meditation center in Nashville called House of Bliss and traveled around the country performing at Deepak’s seminars, selling CD’s (music and spoken word poetry), and living the life of a Spiritual gypsy for a few years. Angela is also a professional Voice Over Artist and has voiced countless campaigns for companies worldwide. She now creates personalized meditation recordings in her home studio for those wanting a customized meditation experience. She is currently participating in a groundbreaking study at Cedars Sinai, teaching meditation to individuals showing early signs of cognitive decline.

Classes/privates taught at Unplug:

  • Mantra Meditation

  • Personalized Meditation Recordings

  • Guided Visualizations

Why I practice meditation:

It's the glue that keeps my life together. I don't know how I ever got by without it.

Why I teach meditation:

Mediation changed my life and I feel it's the greatest gift anyone can give themselves. I love sharing it with people so they can experience all the amazing benefits.

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Aruna Shields

Background:

Aruna Shields (CHP, CMT) is a life coach, therapist and former Bollywood Star. Her private practice helps individuals and businesses become happy and successful. Aruna is certified in Mindfulness techniques developed at Oxford University and is qualified in Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. British with Indian heritage she achieved critical acclaim as a lead actress in Bollywood and Europe becoming the fastest rising star on Google India (2010). Aruna then followed a strong urge to change direction and help others. Aruna bridges the gap between the East and the West; a descendant of Sage Mandavya she comes from an ancient lineage of Vedic teachers who pass down timeless knowledge. Aruna’s daily meditation practice is Transcendental Meditation (TM) and advanced techniques. 

Connect with Classes/privates taught at Unplug:

  • Mindfulness

  • Hypnotherapy

  • Life Coaching

Why I practice meditation:

It’s essential for me to excel at my work as a life coach and therapist. When I meditate I connect to a field of pure consciousness and absorb stillness; the stillness stays with me during the day, enabling me to remain calm and intuit what will transform clients. 

Once we establish in an effortless daily meditation practice - life is bliss. We have a powerful tool that can help us reach our true potential. My daily practice allows me to think clearly, have more energy, be non-judgmental and accomplish anything with ease. 

Why I teach mindfulness:

I love watching people develop and giving them tools so they can relax and feel less stressed; I also point people in the right direction so that life becomes joyful and fun. People tell me I have a gift and a great voice for guiding people into calm.

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Ali Owens

Background:

Ali Owens has been leading yoga and meditation classes, workshops and trainings for over 10 years.  She has worked with several companies in Los Angeles to bring mindfulness into the work place.  As an avid traveler, she regularly hosts retreats to international destinations, allowing students to dive deeper into their practice while being immersed into a new environment.  Ali's meditation journey began as an undergraduate at UCLA and continued into her career in corporate marketing and sponsorship sales.  She discovered the chakras along the way and never looked back.  She had found a way to heal herself on an energetic level while removing blocks that were inhibiting her from living the life of her dreams, full of happiness and health.  Through extensive study in yoga, meditation, mindfulness, ayurveda, breath work, and aromatherapy, Ali learned how to heal herself and support others on their path towards optimal wellness.  She is now on a mission to bring these life-changing practices to the world. 

Classes/privates taught at Unplug:

  • Unplug the Chakras

  • Unplug 30

  • Mantra Meditation

    Chakra Meditations

Why I practice meditation:

To bring me into the present moment so I can lead my life from a place of love, joy, presence and purpose.

Why I teach meditation:

To share these teachings with the world and guide others on their path towards healing and peace.


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Amy Budden

Background:

Amy worked as a Hollywood film editor for 10 years until a personal "life quake" hit in the form of a health issue and so she began meditating to heal.  A few years later she expanded her practice to include hypnotherapy, biofeedback, Reiki, NLP and EFT .  A skeptic seeking “proof" she learned scientifically validated and neuroscience based techniques. Now,  as a certified Hypnotherapist, Amy uses that imagery in her classes and private sessions. She also creates custom recorded therapeutic meditation with sound frequencies. When you learn to relax and change associations by using guided imagery, healing is activated, pain is diminished, habits change and well- being is hardwired.

Classes/privates taught at Unplug:

  • Unplug Imagine

  • Tapping

  • Breathwork

  • Hypnosis

  • Guided imagery

Why I practice meditation:

For me, meditation has changed my outlook on life. I just feel better, I'm a better mom, I am more fun, I am lighter and it just makes everything better.

Why I teach meditation:

It is amazing to witness people transform when they learn to meditate. They just light up! That is what it looks like.  Week after week! I get to see them physically brighten, feel better, smile more and report amazing and positive changes in their lives. 

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