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At Carla's recent Hen Parties (yes... there were 2!) everyone wrote a piece of advice regarding marriage and relationships. A common thread was about keeping your individual selves within the marriage. It's quite easy to lose yourself in a relationship, married or not! We chat on this topic and more.This is what we spoke about during the episodeWhen Joel and I started dating five years ago, I definitely lost myself in the beginning. The book Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés completely changed my life and how I approach my relationship.It's a lot easier to keep your individual self when you have a really strong sense of yourself.Why setting boundaries and prioritising the relationship with yourself is important.Don't wait for the relationship, do all the things alone.What to do if you have lost yourself?If you loved this episode, we would love to hear from you, send us an email to carla@themerrymakersisters.com or emma@themerrymakersisters.com or message us on our Facebook and Instagram

In this episode, we chat about the dance between self-acceptance, striving and having ambition. How can we strive for excellence and still practice self-acceptance without suffering?This is what we spoke about during the episodeSelf-acceptance is not complacency. It's not 'not striving'. It's trying your best but not beating yourself up when you fall short or don't achieve your goal.Self-acceptance reduces so much suffering and judgment of self and of others. It's not a reason to stop trying.If we release the expectation and the attachment to the outcome, we can still strive for the joy of the work.As you get older, you start to realise that it's not the big things in life. It is the day to day stuff that really adds up to the life.You can forget the magic of life if you get carried away by end goals and obsessed with material things.Instead of getting so caught up in our work, end goals, and in the forever striving, how about we be grateful and make time for the people and the things we love?We would love to

Do you lack confidence? In this episode, we chat about confidence and ideas on how to build it.This is what we spoke about during the episodeGrowing up, I used to lack confidence. I was afraid of even the tiniest criticism and forever felt like people would laugh at me.Carla, on the other hand, was more confident. It wasn't until her late teens that she started to worry about what people thought of her.Having the confidence to be yourself means showing up as you.Knowledge of the ego helps you get out of self-doubt it helps you build confidence. We'll talk a lot more about this in our yoga teacher training.Discussing our inner thoughts and experiences helps us gain confidence. Allow feedback and constructive criticism.Reflect on your accomplishments through journaling or telling a friend.Say yes to something you've never done before.Speak and present in front of people, and ask questions.Confidence is a topic we love to talk about. If you take on one of these action steps, let us know. We would love to hear fr

In this episode, we chat about the 10 minute workout which we're massive fans of.Yes, the 10 minute workout can and will change your life in many, many ways.This is what we spoke about during the episodeWe used to believe with all our hearts, minds that if you did not do at least a one-hour workout, there was absolutely no point.We have to lose the idea that workouts have to be a certain amount of time and that they have to leave you feeling depleted, tired, dripping in sweat and in pain.Emily May, our expert trainer and resident Naturopath within our MerryBody yoga teacher training, emphasised how HIIT workouts can do more harm than good.Diet culture never taught us about the benefits of exercise; we were only taught it's a tool to lose weight. Can we let go of that single focused goal of losing weight and instead realise that 10 minutes of exercise is helping your body?Don't work for a summer body, work for your old person body.We go through a bunch of ideas for your 10 minute workouts. Also, check out our

In this episode, we're talking about planning, organisation and budgeting. How we do it individually and together with our business.This is what we spoke about during the episodeWhen we first started MerryBody, it was very overwhelming. As time passed, we systemised MerryBody and outsourced a lot of our tasks. Having MerryBody already systemised and process-driven allowed space to create our new project, the yoga teacher training program.Outline your first 5 steps and the next steps become clearer.Set a date for when you're going to do the steps.How Emma and Damiano planned their trip to Italy, and how Carla and Joel planned their wedding.We love spreadsheets.As soon as the money hits your accounts, save some.We would love to hear from you, send us an email to carla@themerrymakersisters.com or emma@themerrymakersisters.com or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.Download our FREE Self Care Checklist and you’ll find 50 brand new ideas to practice self-care.Always me

One of our MerryBody members, Rebecca, messaged us with questions about taking the leap. The leap to quit your job and start a business. In this episode, we chat about our business journey and offer advice on this topic. After ten years of business, we have learnt a thing or two! If you're looking for advice on quitting your job, this episode is for you!This is what we spoke about during the episodeIn our early 20s, we realised that life wasn't just about work. We highly recommend watching the documentary Finding Joe.Our business is passion-driven, in that we love what we're sharing and creating. When we stop feeling that bliss or experiencing that joy and passion, we pivot and make a change.Mindset is your biggest tool when it comes to business.No formula or guide will work exactly the same in your situation. But of course, these guides, people and experts are there to help, motivate and inspire.How did we begin our business? From posting our journey on Carla's Instagram to blogging to coming up with th

February is the actual start of the year right? Well, this is our official first episode of 2023. In this episode we chat, the new house, 7 weeks in Italy (omgosh it was amazing) and Carla’s upcoming wedding!This is what we spoke about during the episodeWe are now recording in Emma’s new home. Moving house was very stressful but I’m excited to not be in rentals anymore. Yay!Four weeks after moving in, Damiano and I were off to Italy for seven weeks. For me, it was a much-needed break from that whole moving house situation. And wow was it a beautiful adventure! While in Italy, food anxiety came up but only for a few moments here and there. It felt like it was the final healing from my old way of thinking and my very toxic relationship with food, diet and exercise.Consistent and conscious practice of self-acceptance and gratitude really works. It allowed me to experience one of the most beautiful things (the Italian way of life!). I talk more about this! All our practices within MerryBody, meditation,

New Year is a great time to create a goal, actually, any time of the year is!However, the diet culture New Year messages suck.And no doubt, you've already been bombarded with endless New Year diet messages. Messages about bikini body challenges, 12-week quick fixes or transformation challenges.This year, is it time to say No more New Year diets? Because crash diets are designed for weight loss, they're not designed for health! Do we need to say it louder?This is what we spoke about during the episodeWhat if we did put on weight over the holidays? Does it matter? Do we need to feel crap about it? Or just accept it?Our bodies can fluctuate weights. And so?Practising self-acceptance is like a muscle, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.“We can't hate ourselves into a version of ourselves we can love.” — Lori Deschene. Real change comes from acceptance.Your weight doesn't define your health. We'll remind you again and again!There are other ways to maintain a happy, healthy life, and healthy mind.Check out w

This is the seventh of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! This episode is all about the Crown Chakra, your connection to the divine, perhaps to some higher power or to your purpose.This is what we spoke about during the episodeThe Crown Chakra is the only chakra that lies outside of your body. It's located on top of your head and represented by a lotus flower that's said to have a thousand petals.Meditation helps us connect to the Crown Chakra.Instead of thinking about "me, me, me", think more of the "we". The interconnectedness of humans and the rest of the world.To feel grounded but open to receive. We're not meant to control everything, so we surrender and allow it all to unfold.Inside MerryBody we have a Chakra Masterclass Series where you can learn different Yoga poses, mudras and mantras to open and activate

This is the sixth of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! This episode is all about your intuition, your inner wisdom, your inner knowing. It's about the guide within, your third eye, the eye that knows and sees more than your two physical eyes.This is what we spoke about during the episodeWhen you struggle in making decisions and always want to look for external advice.Do you always allow other people to make tough decisions for you?Your Third Eye Chakra is located in the space between your eyebrows, represented by a bright violet color and is all about tuning in to your inner wisdom.Everything that we're looking for is right within us. Make space and meditate when you're struggling with connecting to your intuition. Be still, breathe, tune in to yourself, ask questions and allow space for an answer.Inside MerryBody

This is the fifth of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System. We're up to the Throat Chakra.Have you ever felt like you were not able to speak your truth out of fear of looking silly or upsetting someone? In this episode, we chat about speaking your truth.This is what we spoke about during the episodeYou can be a good communicator in one aspect of your life but be terrible in another. For example, maybe you can communicate confidently at work but you struggle in relationships. When you speak your truth, you feel relieved but sometimes it can have repercussions that you have to deal with.Difficult conversations lead to growth.When is it the right time to hide the truth?Inside MerryBody we have a Chakra Masterclass Series where you can learn different Yoga poses, mudras and mantras to open and activate each Chakra. To acce

This is the fourth of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! This episode is dedicated to the Heart Chakra and how we allow ourselves to feel loved, and be more kind, loving, patient and compassionate towards others.This is what we spoke about during the episodeA presence practice helps you be more loving. When you meditate more, you become more patient, understanding, and empathetic towards others.Do things with no expectation and with detachment.When you're living in fear, then it can mean that your Heart Chakra is blocked. A great way to unblock this is to turn inwards and work on the process of loving yourself.Yoga poses that focus on opening the Heart Chakra counteract sedentary living. To sit at your desk all day or be on your phone with rounded shoulders is not good at all. Inside MerryBody we have a Chakra Mast

This is the third of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! This episode is all about your inner confidence, willpower and motivation.This is what we spoke about during the episodeMotivation is the number one struggle for many people, especially with exercise or welcoming in a new habit.Check-in with how you feel in all life situations. Do you have the confidence to be yourself?Confidence is not being the loudest, brightest, and shiniest person in the room. It's knowing who you are and showing up exactly as that.Our confidence is linked to how we show up physically and hold ourselves in space. When our posture is rounded, when we're looking down at our feet and don't want to make eye contact, these actions signal a lack of self-confidence.Our physicality is connected to the way we feel and vice versa. It's our mind-body con

This is the second of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! During this episode, we're talking creativity, pleasure, joy and the Sacral Chakra.This is what we spoke about during the episodeWhy is creativity important? It's the energy of our souls and the magic juice of life.“Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are all noble pursuits, and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” ― Dead Poet's SocietyDo you have a creative outlet that provides that "wow" feeling? If you think you're not a creative person, it is not true!The Sacral Chakra is linked to the level of joy and pleasure that we allow ourselves to experience.A part of being creative is acknowledging and seeing creativity. It doesn't necessarily have to be you. It can be a piece of music that inspires yo

This is the first of our 7 episode Holiday Series. Emma is currently in Italy, we've pre-recorded this podcast episode for you to enjoy!There were 7 weeks and 7 episodes, so we thought what better topic than the 7 Chakras of the main Chakra System! We start with the Base Chakra, it's time to check in with your foundations!This is what we spoke about during the episodeHow are your foundations set up? We're talking about the day-to-day necessities in life such as your finances, food, safety and shelter.Get on top of your finances. Finance books for business like Profit First by Mike Michalowicz or Think and Grow Rich.Don't spend your money on stuff you don't need. It's having awareness of what's coming in and what's going out.Check in with your goals and where you want to direct your money.Have a buffer in case of a financial emergency.The Base Chakra is directly linked to foundations where we feel grounded and connected to the earth. Take a moment of reflection and get curious. Journal or do a meditation.

“Don’t worry about spending too much. Instead of worrying about budgeting, focus on making more money.” — Ramit SethiLast week we spoke about budgeting, this week we’re talking about making more money! This is what we spoke about during the episodeHow you’re making money is just as important as how much money you make. Check in with your morals and ethics on how you make money.Ask for a pay rise if you’ve been doing your job well.  make extra cash by teaching, online or in-person.Sell your services, even on Facebook Marketplace! Lease your apartment through Airbnb, host local experiences.Allocate your extra earnings to investments, lifestyle, or your buffer.If you can build something, build it. There’s no one exactly like you, you have magic to share.Look around your home for the things that you can sell. It’s also cool to recycle and buy second hand. You not only save your wallet but the world, too.If you’re interested in our upcoming Yoga Teacher Training, join the waitlist over her

We are excited to be recording this episode in a brand new space, in Emma’s new home. In this episode, we chat about budgeting over the holiday season and how not to blow your budget. As business owners, we’ve gone through this journey of having lots of cash and then nothing, so through the ups and downs, we’ve become very good at budgeting for our business. And for our lives.This is what we spoke about during the episodeYou have to be realistic about how much you can spend and how much you can save. Awareness is important.We don’t have a credit card. The cons outweigh the pros.Spend less than you make.Whether you have a business or a salary, aim to have a financial buffer in your bank. 3 months, 6 months, 1 year of salary or expenses. Know where your money is going, check-in and reevaluate what’s necessary and what’s not. Cashflow forecasts are really great tools to monitor your income vs. expenses.Make it a goal to bring up the money subject with your partner.Seek therapy when money impacts your mental

In this episode, we share a practice that will bring you into the present moment. It's a breathwork technique that will create a sense of calm. It will help you let go of stress and anxiety. This practice is a Pranayama technique which translates to life force control. Most people think that it's breath control but actually "prana" is like an energy force that lives within and around the body that moves in, out and through each other. It's important to flush this energy.Let us know how you enjoy this breathwork technique! It's important to not be driving or operating any machinery while doing the breathwork. This is what we spoke about during the episodeMany pranayama techniques are designed to calm and ground, while some create heat and invigorate the body.Alternate nostril breathing is an example of a calming and balancing practice.Sama Vritti, also known as equal breath or box breathing is another example that welcomes a sense of calm and peace.Kapalabathi breath or skull-shining breath, where you do

This episode is inspired by one of Ingrid Fetell Lee's Instagram Stories talking about cool being the opposite of joy. It's a fun chat, a random chat! It will help you reflect on what actions stop you from feeling joy.This is what we spoke about during the episodeBeing cool is taking away all your awkward, quirky parts and stealing so much joy. You don't want to be too loud and have that weird laugh, so you quiet down.When we accept ourselves, we also stop judging others.A joy-filled life is being you. It's being authentic.When you don't accept yourself, are you being present? Are you truly enjoying ANY moment?Judgment can also be the opposite of joy.Presence is a key to joy. Mindful practices can help train your brain to be more present.Step forward with your truth knowing that when you accept yourself, you'll find the right people to surround yourself with. You'll experience more presence and more joy.We would love to hear from you, send us an email to carla@themerrymakersisters.com or emma@themerrymak

In this episode, we chat about the 3 rules of success. This episode was inspired by Neil Gaiman's inspirational address to the University of Arts students of 2012. This is what we spoke about during the episode“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are doing something.” — Neil GaimanMake mistakes, try new things and realise that you don't have complete control over the outcome.Through mistakes and hardships, we learn so much about ourselves and life itself.Figure out what success feels and looks like to you. It's realising that success is much more than a monetary figure.Success does not equal your bank account or anything that you own.Enjoy your journey! What's the point of success if you're not enjoying the journey?We would love to hear from you, send us an email to carla@themerrymakersisters.com or emma@themerrymakersisters.com or message us on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @themerrymakersisters.Download our FREE Self Care Checklis