Beyond Your Sun Sign: Navigating Life’s Challenges Through Your Chart

by Lara Land | Apr 27, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Astrology is so much more than just your sun sign.

While most people know their zodiac sign based on their birth date, a deeper dive into your astrological birth chart can unlock profound insights into your personality, relationships, and life path. In a recent episode of Beyond Trauma, I sat down with Amber Mitchell, The Astro Lotus, to explore how astrology can be used as a tool for self-understanding and healing.

Beyond the Sun Sign: Understanding Your Astrological Blueprint

Your birth chart is a cosmic map that includes the placement of all the planets at the moment you were born. This includes the moon, rising sign, and planetary aspects, which offer a much richer and more nuanced understanding of who you are.

For those new to astrology, you can generate your own birth chart using resources like Astro.com or Cafe Astrology. Once you have your chart, you can start exploring some of its key elements:

Your Moon Sign – This represents your emotional world and subconscious patterns. It reveals how you process emotions and seek comfort.
Your Rising Sign – Describes how others perceive you and the energy you bring into new situations.
Chiron: The Wounded Healer – This asteroid points to past wounds and the areas in life where you are meant to heal. Learn more about Chiron’s meaning in astrology.
Saturn Return & Jupiter Return – Key planetary cycles that influence major life shifts, challenges, and growth opportunities. Saturn Return Explained.
The 12th House – The area of your chart tied to the subconscious, hidden traumas, and spiritual healing.

How Astrology Can Help You Heal and Grow

One of the most empowering aspects of astrology is its ability to help us navigate life’s challenges with greater awareness. Some of the key takeaways from my conversation with Amber Mitchell include:

1. Astrology as a Language for Self-Understanding

Astrology provides a framework for understanding our emotions, behaviors, and inner conflicts. For example, if your moon sign is in Scorpio, you might experience emotions intensely and need deep transformation for healing. Learning this can help you cultivate self-compassion and emotional regulation techniques.

2. The Role of Planets in Relationships and Forgiveness

Astrology can also help us understand our relationships on a deeper level. Looking at how your planets interact with someone else’s (called synastry) can shed light on compatibility, communication styles, and challenges.

If you’re navigating a difficult relationship, looking at Venus (love) and Mars (conflict) in your chart can provide insight into how you love and fight. Want to explore relationship astrology? Check out this guide to synastry.

3. Trauma & Healing Through Astrology

Amber and I discussed how astrology can reveal past wounds and paths to healing. The placement of Chiron and aspects to your Sun and Moon can highlight emotional pain and how to move forward with greater awareness. If your trauma is connected to the Sun, it may involve identity and self-worth; if connected to the Moon, it may relate to early childhood and emotional security.

For those interested in using astrology to support trauma healing, The Astrology Podcast offers deep dives into planetary cycles and their impact on mental health.

How to Use Astrology in Daily Life

Beyond the big life lessons, astrology can also be a practical tool for managing day-to-day challenges. Understanding your personal transits (the movement of planets through your chart) can help you:

Plan for challenging periods (like Mercury retrograde – check out this Mercury retrograde survival guide).
Recognize the best times for decision-making or rest.
Align your energy with planetary shifts, like working with the New Moon for intention setting (see Moon cycle astrology).

Final Thoughts: Are We Ruled by Our Charts?

A big takeaway from my conversation with Amber is that astrology is not about fate but awareness. Your chart doesn’t dictate your destiny; instead, it offers insights that can help you make empowered choices.

If you’re curious to learn more, listen to the full episode here. Let me know in the comments—what’s been the most eye-opening insight from your own chart?

Understanding Workplace Trauma

by Lara Land | Apr 6, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Work is more than just a paycheck—it’s where we spend a significant portion of our lives, build relationships, and define our sense of purpose.

Yet, for many, the workplace is also a source of harm. Toxic work environments, microaggressions, chronic stress, and structural inequities create conditions that can retraumatize employees or even generate new trauma.

Monica Amorosi is at the forefront of changing this reality. As an educator, counselor, and advocate for trauma-sensitive workplaces, she is dedicated to helping both employees and employers recognize workplace trauma and take meaningful steps toward healing and safety.

Why the Workplace Is a Unique Space for Trauma

Unlike other areas of life, the workplace holds a particular vulnerability when it comes to trauma. Most of us need to work to survive, which can make it difficult—if not impossible—to leave an unhealthy or harmful environment. Amorosi highlights several key reasons why trauma in the workplace is so complex:

The Power Imbalance: Employees often feel trapped in harmful situations due to job dependency, making it easier for toxic dynamics to persist.
Cultural and Systemic Issues: Rapid social and political changes have left many workers feeling unsafe, unsettled, and unsure of how to navigate conflict in professional settings.
Stress Is Unavoidable: As Amorosi puts it, “There’s no such thing as a stress-free environment.” However, the way workplaces handle stress can either mitigate or exacerbate harm.
The Perpetrator Exception: Many work environments are more likely to make accommodations for those causing harm rather than for those who are harmed.

Recognizing the Signs of Workplace Trauma

Amorosi encourages individuals to assess their workplace culture for signs of harm. Some key indicators include:

A lack of accountability for harmful behaviors
Policies that prioritize productivity over employee well-being
A culture of fear or silence around speaking up about harm
High turnover rates due to burnout and stress

She also introduces the Diathesis-Stress Model, a framework that helps explain why certain individuals are more vulnerable to workplace trauma. This model suggests that people with a predisposition to stress (due to personal history, mental health, or past trauma) may be disproportionately affected by workplace dynamics.

What Does It Mean to Be Trauma-Sensitive at Work?

A trauma-sensitive workplace goes beyond basic HR policies. It requires a shift in culture—one that prioritizes psychological safety, equitable treatment, and proactive measures to prevent harm. According to Amorosi, a trauma-sensitive workplace:

✔ Recognizes that each employee has a unique lived experience
✔ Calls out harm when it happens—rather than ignoring or excusing it
✔ Implements consequences for harmful behavior, ensuring accountability
✔ Balances compassion with structure, creating clear policies that support employee well-being

Employers may worry that making these changes will disrupt productivity, but research suggests the opposite. Companies with strong mental health and inclusion initiatives see higher employee retention, increased engagement, and better overall performance.

How to Take Action

Whether you’re an employee navigating workplace harm or a leader looking to build a safer culture, here are some key questions to ask:

Am I in an environment that prioritizes psychological safety?
Does my workplace provide clear pathways to report harm?
Am I unintentionally contributing to a harmful culture?
Do my colleagues and I understand the impact of trauma in the workplace?

For those in leadership, Amorosi suggests adopting a harm-reduction approach, where the goal is not perfection but progress. This includes implementing top-down policies while also empowering bottom-up change, ensuring employees have a voice in shaping a healthier work environment.

Listen to Monica Amorosi on Beyond Trauma

To dive deeper into workplace trauma, listen to my conversation with Monica Amorosi on Beyond Trauma in our episode: “Workplace Harm: Who’s Most Vulnerable and Why Rethinking Workplace Culture Matters.”

In this episode, we break down the different types of workplace stress, the pathways to becoming trauma-sensitive, and practical ways to create a safer work culture.

If you’re ready to rethink workplace culture, take action, and support trauma-sensitive change, this conversation is a must-listen.

Awakening in Uncertain Times: A Heartfelt Approach to Meditation

by Lara Land | Mar 30, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, LARA LAND, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

The world is shifting. Uncertainty surrounds us—politically, socially, and environmentally.

Many of us feel unmoored, seeking stability in a time when old systems are breaking apart. In moments like these, meditation is not just a refuge but a call to action, a practice that asks us to wake up, embody our truth, and meet life’s challenges with presence and compassion.

Spring Washam, a renowned meditation teacher and author, speaks to the importance of getting out of the mind and into the heart and body. Too often, meditation is misunderstood as an intellectual exercise—a way to observe thoughts, analyze emotions, and cultivate detachment. But as Washam reminds us, true awakening is about embodiment. “Sometimes the trap with meditation is people think they can live in the mind,” she says. “They don’t realize really what we are resting in is the wisdom of the body.”

The Heart as the Center of Transformation

When the world feels chaotic, it’s easy to retreat into thought loops, anxiety, or despair. But Washam emphasizes the necessity of being heart-centered in this moment. The heart, she teaches, is where we hold both joy and sorrow. It is where we grieve and where we love. It is the place from which true wisdom arises.

To cultivate heart-centered awareness in meditation, consider these practices:

Bring your attention to your heart space. Place a hand over your heart and simply breathe into this area. Feel into the warmth, the sensation, the emotion that lives there.
Acknowledge both joy and sorrow. Rather than seeking only positive emotions, allow yourself to hold the full spectrum of human experience.
Use heart-based mantras. Phrases like “May I be open, may I be present, may I trust” can help shift awareness from the analytical mind to the intuitive heart.

Anger, Change, and the Call to Serve

Many people struggle with anger in uncertain times. Injustice, suffering, and systemic failures can ignite powerful emotions. Washam does not shy away from this reality; instead, she teaches that anger is an energy to be understood, not suppressed. “Anger burns,” she says, “but truth cuts.”

Rather than reacting from anger, we can channel it into clarity, into action, into service. She teaches that meditation is not about escaping the world but awakening to it fully—feeling the emotions, understanding them, and using them as fuel for meaningful change.

Awakening as a Process: First Awaken, Then Guide, Then Serve

Washam describes a path of awakening that moves from personal insight to collective service: “First awaken, then guide, then serve and build.” The work begins within, but it does not stop there. Awakening is not just about feeling peaceful in meditation—it is about bringing that awareness into how we engage with our communities, how we heal ancestral wounds, how we care for the earth, and how we show up for each other.

Embracing the Unknown: What Emerges in the Cracks

Change, even collapse, is not something to fear. Washam reminds us: “When things are collapsing and there are cracks, new information appears.” This is a profound teaching for our time. When systems fail, when old ways of being no longer serve, there is an opening—a chance for something new to be born.

Rather than resisting uncertainty, we can lean into it with curiosity. What insights arise when we stop clinging to certainty? What possibilities emerge when we let go? The practice of meditation teaches us to be present with what is—without grasping, without resisting—so that we can navigate change with wisdom rather than fear.

Moving Forward with an Embodied Awakening

In these shifting times, we are called not just to meditate but to awaken—to move from thought to embodiment, from fear to presence, from anger to service. Washam’s teachings remind us that awakening is not a passive state but an active, engaged process. Learn more about her approach and how to apply it in this week’s episode of Beyond Trauma.

Exploring the Healing Power of Energy: Dr. Jamil Sayegh’s Holistic Approach to Health

by Lara Land | Mar 16, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, the focus on holistic practices has grown significantly.

Among the forefront leaders in this field is Dr. Jamil Sayegh, an expert in energy medicine and holistic health. Dr. Sayegh combines traditional medicine with energy healing to offer a truly integrative approach to health. His unique methods emphasize the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and energy, recognizing that true healing begins when all these elements work in harmony.

Energy Healing: Unlocking the Body’s Innate Healing Powers

At the heart of Dr. Sayegh’s approach lies a fundamental belief: the body has an innate ability to heal itself, but sometimes the flow of energy is obstructed, preventing that healing from taking place. Dr. Sayegh practices and teaches a variety of techniques designed to remove these blockages and restore balance within the body’s energy system.

Energy medicine focuses on the idea that the body’s energy fields can become disrupted due to stress, trauma, or negative thought patterns. By aligning and rebalancing these fields, Dr. Sayegh believes individuals can tap into their body’s natural healing abilities. This can lead to profound physical improvements, even in conditions that have not responded well to conventional treatments.

The Mind-Body Connection and Physical Healing

Dr. Sayegh’s work is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about addressing the root cause of physical ailments. His practice integrates mind-body techniques that engage both the conscious and subconscious aspects of the self. By doing so, he is able to identify and clear the energetic blocks that contribute to various health challenges, from chronic pain to emotional distress.

Testimonies from Dr. Sayegh’s patients are a testament to the effectiveness of his methods. Many have shared stories of healing from long-standing issues, such as autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, and even conditions that were once deemed irreversible by conventional medicine. Through the power of energy healing, Dr. Sayegh is helping individuals rediscover their vitality and restore their bodies to a state of balance and well-being.

The Path to a Healthier, More Balanced Life

Energy healing is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s tailored to the individual’s unique needs and experiences. Dr. Sayegh’s method focuses on holistic healing by not only addressing physical ailments but also by cultivating mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This multi-faceted approach ensures that clients receive the most effective care possible while fostering a deep connection to their own healing process.

Dr. Jamil Sayegh on the Beyond Trauma Podcast

Dr. Jamil Sayegh is joining me on the Beyond Trauma with Lara Land podcast to dive deeper into his holistic approach to health. In this upcoming episode, we’ll discuss the fascinating interplay between energy and physical well-being. Dr. Sayegh will share his insights into how aligning one’s energy can lead to profound physical healing, tapping into the body’s innate ability to heal from the inside out.

Through compelling testimonials, Dr. Sayegh will illustrate the effectiveness of energy medicine in overcoming a wide range of health challenges. We’ll explore the principles of energy healing and discuss how removing obstacles in the body’s energy system can pave the way for a healthier, more balanced life.

Join us as we take a deeper look into the transformative power of energy medicine and discover how this holistic approach can revolutionize your path to healing.

Listen to the episode here when it airs—you won’t want to miss it!

Mindfulness and Nature: Exploring the Wisdom of Mark Coleman

by Lara Land | Mar 2, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, LARA LAND, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the natural world.

Yet, mindfulness and nature-based contemplative practices have been used for centuries to cultivate a deeper sense of presence, peace, and understanding. One of the leading voices in this movement today is Mark Coleman, a renowned nature dharma teacher, mindfulness instructor, and author. Mark’s unique approach to mindfulness integrates outdoor experiences with traditional contemplative practices, offering profound benefits for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The Intersection of Mindfulness and Nature

Mark Coleman’s teachings emphasize the powerful connection between mindfulness and nature. His approach is rooted in the belief that the natural world provides an ideal environment for cultivating awareness, grounding ourselves, and reconnecting with the present moment. Whether it’s through the rustling of leaves, the flow of a river, or the vastness of the sky, nature offers an incredible backdrop for mindfulness practice.

Coleman’s work highlights how engaging with nature—whether through walking meditation, sitting in stillness, or simply observing—can help us develop deeper awareness and foster a more profound sense of inner peace. Nature offers a rich tapestry of experiences that support mindfulness, from the quiet observation of the natural world to the sensory richness it provides. It invites us to slow down and be fully present, observing without judgment and letting go of the distractions of modern life.

Concentration vs. Awareness Meditation

A key aspect of mindfulness practice is the cultivation of attention. Mark often teaches the difference between two core types of meditation: concentration and awareness meditation.

Concentration meditation involves focusing attention on a specific object, thought, or sensation, such as the breath, a mantra, or a visual point of focus. It’s about bringing the mind back to a singular point, which can help stabilize the mind and cultivate focus.
Awareness meditation, on the other hand, is more expansive. It involves cultivating an open awareness, allowing thoughts, feelings, and sensations to come and go without attachment. In nature, this can look like sitting by a stream, observing the flow of water, and allowing the sounds, sights, and smells of nature to come and go without interference.

Mark emphasizes that while both forms of meditation are important, nature-based mindfulness practices often lean towards awareness meditation. This is because nature presents an ever-changing environment that allows us to practice observing life in its fluidity—without the need to control it.

How the Elements Support Personal Growth

Mark’s teachings also focus on the elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—as powerful symbols and supports in our personal growth. Each element can represent different aspects of our experience and help us understand our inner landscapes.

Earth teaches us about stability and grounding.
Water offers lessons in fluidity and adaptability.
Fire brings transformation and energy.
Air invites clarity and expansive thinking.
Space provides room for openness, creativity, and silence.

When we connect with these elements in nature, we can deepen our practice and gain insights that might not be as easily accessible in more conventional settings.

The Power of Practicing Meditation Outdoors

One of the key reasons why Mark Coleman advocates for practicing meditation outdoors is the unique benefits it brings. Nature itself is an embodiment of mindfulness—each moment in the natural world invites us to be present and aware. Whether you’re meditating in a forest, at the beach, or even in your local park, the natural environment offers a rich sensory experience that helps to anchor the mind and body in the present moment.

Practicing outdoors also helps us connect more deeply with the world around us, fostering a sense of interconnectedness with all living things. It reminds us that we are not isolated beings but part of a larger, living system. This realization can have profound impacts on our mental and emotional health, promoting feelings of peace, gratitude, and connection.

What If You Don’t Have Access to Outdoor Spaces?

While practicing mindfulness in nature is ideal, not everyone has regular access to outdoor spaces. Mark acknowledges this challenge and offers practical advice for those who feel disconnected from the natural world. You can bring nature to you in various ways—whether through visualization practices, where you imagine being in nature, or by incorporating elements of nature into your indoor environment, such as plants, sounds of nature, or natural materials.

Even if you can’t get outside, Mark encourages finding ways to connect with nature through the senses. Tuning into the natural world, even in small doses, can create a similar sense of calm and awareness.

Processing the Guilt of Not Doing Enough for the Environment

One common dilemma that many of us face is the guilt of not doing enough to protect the environment, especially in a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of global concerns. Mark’s teachings also address this issue, recognizing that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem.

However, Mark suggests that it’s important to find balance—to enjoy nature and find joy in it while also acknowledging the responsibility we have to protect it. He teaches that we can still cultivate mindfulness and a sense of presence in nature while simultaneously engaging in efforts to care for the planet. Mindfulness can help us avoid becoming paralyzed by guilt, allowing us to take compassionate action while appreciating the beauty of the world around us.

Mark Coleman on Beyond Trauma Podcast

For an in-depth exploration of nature-based contemplative practices, awareness meditation, and the elements for personal growth, I am thrilled to share that Mark Coleman is a guest on the latest episode of Beyond Trauma with Lara Land. In this episode, we dive into the history of nature-based contemplative practices, explore the distinction between concentration and awareness meditation, and discuss how the elements can support our personal development.

Mark also shares his thoughts on how practicing meditation outdoors enhances mindfulness, the ways in which nature fosters a deeper sense of self, and his practical advice for those without access to outdoor spaces. We also tackle the common dilemma of how to process guilt about environmental protection while still finding joy and presence in nature.

Don’t miss this insightful and enriching conversation with Mark Coleman! Tune in to the episode now on the Beyond Trauma Podcast with Lara Land.

Trauma-Informed Yoga with Anouk Prop and Lara Land, moderated by Harmony Slater.

by Lara Land | Feb 24, 2025 | COACHING, COMMUNITY, LAND BLOG, LARA LAND, Self Improvement, SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Trauma-Informed Yoga
with Anouk Prop and Lara Land,

MODERATED BY HARMONY SLATER
8:00am – 9:00am PST
11:00am – 12 noon EST
5:00pm – 6:00pm GMT

New Year Intention-Setting Workshop with Lara Land

During this session, expert teachers will shed light on the teaching and practice of trauma-informed yoga – a gentle approach to yoga practice that can help practitioners to manage and heal from trauma symptoms. A yoga practice that is sensitive to historical trauma experiences allows practitioners to feel more connected to their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reduce and overcome the symptoms of trauma such as fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, depression, anger, and dissociation. A trauma-informed yoga practice teaches us to regulate our flight or flight responses and promote body-mind self-awareness.

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