Life as Ceremony

Sam Squire

Life as Ceremony shares personal stories, interviews with inspirational souls, and practical wisdom to help you reconnect with yourself and spirituality.

  1. 22 | Shayna Thomas: Living Yoga Off the Mat

    2025-12-22

    22 | Shayna Thomas: Living Yoga Off the Mat

    In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Shayna Thomas, an Anishinaabe woman from Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation. Shayna is a yoga teacher, educator, and the creator of Seven Teachings Wellness. Shayna shares her journey from teaching in early childhood education to creating a wellness practice rooted in the Seven Grandfather Teachings: love, respect, honesty, truth, wisdom, humility, and courage. We explore what true wellness really means and how wholeness includes caring for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Shayna opens up about a powerful health wake-up call that shifted her understanding of wellness and brought her into deeper alignment and compassion for all parts of herself. Shayna also talks about the relationship between Indigenous worldviews and yoga philosophy, weaving these teachings together with integrity by honouring their roots and acknowledging their parallels. This conversation is about living yoga off the mat, the power of presence, love, compassion, and how living with gratitude and intention can shift our everyday lives. Connect with Shayna: Website: https://seventeachingswellness.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmeshaynaeileen/ https://www.instagram.com/seventeachingswellness/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SevenTeachingsWellness Connect with Sam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/ Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/ Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

    54 min
  2. 21 | Mikaela Millington: Yoga Retreats and Authentic Connection

    2025-12-10

    21 | Mikaela Millington: Yoga Retreats and Authentic Connection

    In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Mikaela Millington. She is a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and the founder of Evolve Retreats. Mikaela shares her journey of creating and holding space for transformative in-person experiences. We dive into what first-time retreat-goers need to know, from setting intentions, connecting with your guide, and understanding group sizes, to recognizing the different types of connection and community that retreats can offer. Mikaela also shares insights into the personal challenges of hosting retreats and trusting the process. We explore the magic that emerges when people show up authentically, take their masks off, and lean into community and playful moments. Mikaela reflects on her favorite parts of retreats and the value of in-person connection. Finally, we discuss what’s next for Evolve Retreats, including potential expansions, teacher trainings, and her vision for future offerings that continue to nurture community and growth. This conversation is for anyone curious about retreats, spiritual growth, and the power of in-person experiences and connections. Connect with Mikaela: Website: https://mikmill.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikmill/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIKMILLMOVEMENT Connect with Sam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/ Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/ Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

    1h 16m
  3. 19 | Ariana Fotinakis: Honoring Medicine, Culture, and Your Truth

    2025-07-16

    19 | Ariana Fotinakis: Honoring Medicine, Culture, and Your Truth

    In this episode of Life as Ceremony, I sit down with Ariana Fotinakis. She is a mixed-heritage woman with ancestors from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Greece. Ariana is a decolonial facilitator, mother, breathwork guide, and co-founder of Decolonize and Rize. Ariana shares her journey of reconnecting with her Indigenous ancestry and how she navigates sharing medicine with roots in other cultures, such as breath work. We talk about the narrative of “not being Indigenous enough” and the importance of reclaiming and revitalizing culture. Ariana discusses the intersections of decolonization and personal healing, highlighting the slow nature of a reconnection journey and the importance of intention and integrity along the way. We dive into deep discussions with questions such as: Does someone have to be from a certain lineage to share teachings from that culture? This conversation is about untangling ourselves from colonial narratives, cultivating curiosity about internalized beliefs, and returning home to ourselves without needing anyone else’s permission. Ariana reminds us that reconnection is a lifelong journey, decolonization is for everyone, and we are all invited to reconnect with the earth, our roots, and our truth. Connect with Ariana: IG: https://instagram.com/arianafotinakis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decolonize-rize/ Subscribe to Ariana's newsletter to receive a 10-minute guided breathwork practice: https://arianafotinakis.com/daily-breathwork-tuneup Subscribe to Decolonize and Rize's newsletter to receive a Simple Wellbeing Practices workbook: subscribepage.io/142d4z Connect with Sam: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdsquire/ Substack: https://lifeasceremony.substack.com/ Website: https://www.lifeasceremony.ca/

    1h 3m
5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Life as Ceremony shares personal stories, interviews with inspirational souls, and practical wisdom to help you reconnect with yourself and spirituality.