About
Welcome to Awake Minds! My name is Meghan Leighton and I’d love to share information about me and my background by sharing what matters most to me in life.
What matters most?
Personal practice. In my early days of life, you couldn't get me to sit still! Now I look forward to meditations and moments of stillness. I have come to realize that training my mind is the most beneficial thing I can do, for myself, family, and the world at large in building peace and transformation. It hasn’t always been easy, but with a positive and inspirational meditation coach by my side for the past seven years, it has been one of the greatest gifts to be able to transform from the inside out.
Family. Spending time with my husband Asa and our dog Bella. We love to go on hikes, head to the beach, and spend time at home. Asa has been one of the most supportive people in my life and am beyond grateful for him and the love we share. Our families live in MA and RI and we love visiting them as often as we can.
Service. It brings me much joy to be able to support others in the community who may not have access to the tools of meditation and yoga. What a gift to be able to work with organizations like Girls Inc., Inward Bound Mindfulness in Education, Vitality Family Medicine, and Westborough Behavioral Health Hospital. Rewarding, beyond measure.
Collaboration and facilitation of yoga retreats with Jess and Val. People have described our trio over the years as synergistic and the three of us feel it, too. Not only are these two ladies my co-partners but also my dear friends. Jess, Val, and I have the same meditation teacher and yoga mentors, yet each of us offers our own unique twist on what we offer. It has been incredible to experience and watch our unique partnership grow in ways I could have never imagined that have led us to places beyond our dreams like Costa Rica and Maui.
Spending time outdoors every day. I feel a deep sense of connection and awe in nature and in all of its beauty. Nature reminds me of our interconnectedness.
Ayurveda and taking care of my mental, physical, and spiritual health. The teachings of Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) are vast, but over the past six years I have been able to delve deeper into its practices around foods, life style, and routine with Yoga & Ayurveda teacher trainings from Kripalu and working with an Ayurvedic doctor, and have found healing, deeper peace, and wellbeing.
Working with folks (like you reading this page ;) who are interested in waking up to their fullest potential and purpose. Offering private meditation sessions and group classes (for differing ages and abilities) matters. I have seen clients transform in front of my eyes from waking up from limited beliefs about themselves and feel more empowered in their life and wellbeing. It is an honor to be doing this work along others’ sides and to see these transformations. As a previous special educator, I have worked with young people, teens, and adults with varying abilities - and feel called to offer meditation and yoga classes for folks of all ages and needs (ADHD, Autism, etc.), as well. Feel free to explore this Awake Minds’ classes and offerings for more information or reach out with questions below.
Meghan, E-RYT 800, offers 30-hour and 200-hour yoga teacher trainings, as well. For more on trainings, click here. Meg’s professional background may be found here.
What does it mean to live life awake and consciously?
To live consciously means that we have the tools to make choices that influence a greater sense of wholeness, connection, acceptance, and balance in life.
Yoga, meditation, and conscious living can offer these tools.
Now that life has changed for so many in the world due to COVID-19, many people are asking themselves:
What does it mean to live a healthy and balanced life? How can I serve and support greater connections in my community and world? How can I support a healthy and thriving environment and world? Where do I find lasting fulfillment? Who am I? What is my purpose?
These questions are the stepping stones to leading a conscious and fulfilled life. Turning within can lead us to the answers.
When we turn within and practice yoga and meditation techniques, this supports us to~
bring an aware, kind, and accepting presence to what we experience, which can lead to empowerment and ease.
make the choice to hold our personal balance and health as priority, so that we may serve others.
empathize with others and understand the deep interconnections of all humans and within nature, to support our wellbeing and also the planet’s.
tap in to intuition and the Source within, which leads to lasting fulfillment and a heightened sense of purpose and freedom.
Join Awake Minds mission in supporting a world where each person has the opportunity to learn and grow through these tools.
Sign up for our newsletter, review our programs, or reach out to Meghan for more information.
Awake Minds Mission
The mission of Awake Minds is to offer meditation and yoga for individuals and communities - to awaken to their purpose, uncover their essential nature, inner resources, and live conscious lives that support sustainability for themselves, and the earth.
“May we awaken to the joy, love, and peace that is within- and remember our deep connection to one another and the earth. May this awakening be for the benefit of all.” ~Meghan
Past and Current Community Programs:
West Borough Behavioral Health Hospital - Yoga & Meditation Programs
Teen Moms Mindfulness Program - Newburyport, MA
Girls Inc. - Yoga and Mindfulness
Support Meghan in raising funds for iBme mindfulness scholarships for teens
MEET OUR AFFILIATES
Valerie Griffiths: The Breathing Barn | Girls Inc. Seacoast | One World Cacao | YogiTriathlete | Under the Sun Meditation
Photo credit: Kelly Gallagher, Kelleidoscope Photography
Testimonials
“I love the affirmations. You created exactly what I need to say to myself, especially with my mala beads, and throughout the day as you suggested. Working with you makes me happy.”
“Meghan worked with a member of my family through a very difficult time consisting of change, health struggles, stress, and uncertainty.
On a weekly basis, she would work individually with a member of my family to practice mindful breathing, movement, and cultivate a mindful practice. Not only did Meghan help this person’s stress deeply decrease but also, she gave him the tools to practice mindfulness on his own. She met my family member where they were, with no judgement but rather with overwhelming compassion, light, and friendship. We are so grateful for her help and the support she provided our family. We couldn’t have managed through it all without her.”