We had the good fortune of connecting with Terri Kaiser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terri, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I actually never thought I would have my own business!  I was a stay at home mom to 3 beautiful children, married to a busy ENT surgeon. My life revolved around carpools, meals, laundry and volunteering at their respective schools until suddenly, they all had their own lives, and before I knew it, they were all on their way out of the house. I no longer had the identity of dance mom or  pom mom or football mom…who was I?  I felt overwhelmed with sadness of time gone by, yet the only real record I had of these past 24 years were pictures and videos. My recollection of things were scattered and took on a dream-like quality. My world was whizzing past me at an incredible rate of speed, and I couldn’t stop it. The more I tried, the dizzier I became. The panic attacks I started having when I was a teen started getting worse, and I felt out of control, and very often, out of my body. Nothing seemed to stay still…I wanted so badly for someone to hold out their arms and lift me up so I could get a better view…and now I realize I’m not alone.
Our minds play such an important role in our everyday lives, yet we don’t seem to notice what’s going on around us. Because such a huge portion of our lives is spent inside our own heads, we don’t notice time going by, or the thoughts, behaviors and attitudes that create our realities. I found the meditations of Mindfulness, Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing during a time in my life when I was struggling with all of the above, my identity as an empty nester, and increasingly severe panic attacks.  Once I began to practice these meditations myself, I was able to take back control of both my mind and my body, reducing my panic attacks dramatically.  As added bonuses, I was becoming more present in my life, more positive, patient, loving and accepting of myself and others, and my sleep had improved.  I knew I wanted to share what I had learned first-hand about these amazing benefits, so I began taking classes so I could teach. After receiving my certifications in Mindfulness, Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing, I began guiding my own classes.  It felt so good to help others know they weren’t alone ~ to give them a place to go where they would feel loved, understood and accepted.  I love what I do because I get to share it with all of you!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have a heart-based business is called Breathe AZ Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing. Every private session, every class I guide whether in-studio or virtually, is all about filling you with love and acceptance from my heart to yours. And it’s also about helping you learn to love and accept yourself, just as you are, without judgement, baggage and all. My desire and intention is to help you release stagnant energy blocks, limiting self-beliefs, negative thoughts, and destructive patterns and behaviors that are holding you back from being your most joyous, successful, and loving self using the modalities of Yoga Nidra and Sound Immersion.

Yoga Nidra is both a state of mind as well as an effortless sleep-based meditation where you are gently guided through body awareness, breath techniques, imagery and positive, loving intentions to help re-direct and change patterns of negative thoughts, behaviors and limiting self-beliefs. In addition to the above, Yoga Nidra can reduce stress, anxiety and panic, releasing happy neurotransmitters called Serotonin, Dopamine & Oxytocin, as well as a calming mood stabilizer called GABA.  A regular practice of Yoga Nidra can also reduce the production of the stress hormone called Cortisol.
My Sound Immersion classes include an assortment of intuitively played Crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, gongs and more for the ultimate experience in relaxation and restoration, and has its own incredible benefits.  In this class, you are being bathed in vibrational frequencies to assist in releasing energy blockages, reduce stress, anxiety, and panic, and detoxify at a cellular level.  It can also assist with sleep, lucid dreaming and a better sense of connection with your higher self.
Once you begin to release the negative, focusing on gratitude and whatever amazingness you hold in YOUR heart, you’ll see and feel yourself open and expand with beautiful, powerful, loving light energy that will help you to manifest all that your heart desires! I truly believe that we attract whatever we focus on and think about intensely, so I use the principles of the Law of Attraction to assist in guiding you down a more intentional, positive path in your life!

I want you to know that YOU have the ultimate power to heal yourself, to slow your life down by taking a moment to breathe, to listen, to see and to just ‘be’. It’s so important to me that you know how beautiful you are as an individual, and to know that I’ll always be here to remind you of that, even when we’re not in a session.

Start asking yourself…WHAT DO I REALLY WANT? I will help you take those steps to achieve your goals and aspirations, making those dreams your reality!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely LOVE Lamp Pizzeria on Pinnacle Peak Rd. in Scottsdale…omg there’s nothing like it! I promise you that as soon as you walk in and the smell of freshly baked pizza literally soaks through you, you’ll know you’re in the right place! My favorites are the Union Salad (extra parmesan cheese please!) and the Scientist with 3 kinds of crispy salami & lots of green olives…Yummmm! After that, I would suggest heading over to the House of Comedy on High Street in City North. I love to laugh, and it’s always a good time!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ll start with a huuuuuge shoutout to my family and friends who have been my loudest cheerleaders! I know I can always count on you for encouragement and support, and sometimes even a touch of realism when I’m out there in LaLa Land! I’m so grateful!

A big shoutout to the beautiful people who come to see me for private sessions or group classes…you are my greatest teachers. I sooo appreciate your honesty, wisdom, and courage, your tears as well as your laughter. I love that you are willing to trust me with your hearts, sharing your deepest and most touching stories with me, but most of all, for allowing me to be a part of your amazing journeys. You have taught me how to continue to trust, love and accept without judgement, and for that I’m so grateful!

A big shoutout to Alyssa Spencer and Brooke Sterling for having unwavering faith in me when you both gave me my own meditation classes at your respective studios. To Jeanene Farley, Kim Balzan and Hamid Jabbar for using your own knowledge and love of sound to teach me the beauty & benefits of sound healing instruments.

A grateful shoutout to Missy & Rich Cipriano from Missy’s Mysteries, and Satyam Patel from Shantiful ~ thank you for allowing me to use your beautiful spaces to hold my classes. To Kamini Desai, Ally Boothroyd and Tiina Kivinen for teaching me how incredibly powerful the practice of Yoga Nidra is. You have taught me that I can lead with my heart and be unique in my guidance, and for that I am forever grateful!

And lastly, although I know this is a bit woo-woo, I feel that I can’t leave them out. Thank you to my angels, my guides, the Universe, God, etc. ~ .you’re always there when I need you, and I love knowing that, because of you, I am able to continue down my path of helping others to accept and love themselves for the unique and beautiful beings they are!

Website: www.breatheaz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meditatewithbreatheaz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meditatewithbreatheaz/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnHWQ0oSg0E&t=943s

Other: I hold both in-studio and virtual classes on a weekly basis. You can book online at https://www.breatheaz.com/book-a-class or email me directly to save your space at terri@breatheaz.com!

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