Margaret Kirschner

Margaret Kirschner is a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Therapist (E-RYT 500 C-IAYT), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), ACISTE Certified Mental Health Professional (ACMHP), Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), Breathwork Facilitator and Birth Doula. Margaret’s professional background includes 10 years of training, supervision and direct client contact in addiction counseling.

“I realized the extent to which I had disconnected from my own body and breath. I vowed to reconnect with those wise and powerful parts of me again.”

See the rest of Margaret’s story

Margaret received her 200-Hour yoga teacher certification at the Kripalu Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, the nation’s leading yoga educational center. She completed her certification as a Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Therapist at the 500-Hour level in May, 2013, with Kristine Kaoverii Weber of Subtle Yoga. She has worked as a yoga therapist in group settings with individuals in various treatment centers for substance misuse and disordered eating.

Margaret safely supports individuals in learning to listen to and trust their bodies with an attitude of curiosity and compassion.

Says Margaret, “My greatest joy is witnessing people reclaiming their lives through the simple and profound practices of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness.”

Margaret’s soothing voice and attention to detail provide participants with a safe and empowering experience of mindful contemplation, nurturing movements and breathing patterns that promote nervous system resiliency.

Margaret is an experienced prenatal yoga teacher (E-RPYT, experienced, Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher), as well as a Birth Doula. Along with Eddie LeShure, she is a co-founder of A Mindful Emergence, LLC and from November 2015 to April 2018, Margaret and Eddie co-hosted a weekly radio program on WPVM-FM/103.7 focusing on addiction recovery, trauma relief and self-care.

Margaret’s Story

Finding and Nurturing My Authentic Self

Have you ever had a dream of being in a house you grew up in and you found new rooms? A house can be a metaphor for our psychological interpretation of the world.

Who Am I taking Care of?

My way of interpreting and responding to the world has been as a caregiver. I find it comfortable to take care of others and a little uncomfortable to notice and attend to my own wants and needs. Although the quality of being a nurturer can be a positive trait appreciated by many, it can also be overdone and lead to negative consequences. As a wife and multitasking mother of two, meeting others needs and desires became my primary focus. I perceived myself as a good person but it leaned way too much toward martyrdom. Over many years, I felt more depleted and resentful leading to a dip into depression and illness. My loved ones remained vulnerable and dependent on my caregiving. We were all unconsciously stuck and suffering, none of us growing or nourishing our psychological house.

The Fallout from My Addiction to Care-Giving

I recognized my addictive tendencies toward people pleasing (co-dependence). My addiction to caring more for others and about their opinions was causing my own psychological framework to crumble due to neglect. I gradually became aware of a need to dismantle the protective walls of my limiting beliefs and, layer-by-layer, install a new way of being with myself.

Simple Life Updates

I explored yoga, meditation and the simplicity of coming home to my breath. The slow and small movements felt so good in my body, the meditations allowed a glimpse into the vast inner resources for restoration of my spirit, and the breathing practices resurfaced a powerful and speedy road to a connection with my intuition I had never appreciated.

Getting to Know Who I Really Am

When I did not know how I felt or what I wanted or needed, I became curious. I started to journal about the sensations I was feeling in my body, I investigated the thoughts and beliefs about being kind and included myself in the care equation. I nurtured myself in simple ways, bolstered by the multifaceted practices and principles of yoga. Through self-inquiry, I became aware of my discomfort. I cautiously peered over the edge of my comfort zone and caught glimpses of gnarly parts like anger and resentment. I realized they were valuable teachers showing me the extent to which I had disconnected from my own body, breath and emotions. Those parts were essential, protective, wise and connected to my source of power; like the basic utilities of my home. I vowed to reconnect with those wise and powerful parts of me again. I was willing to be okay with being uncomfortable if it meant I would emerge into who I know I truly am.

Finding My Voice

I dove into yoga, journaling, reading, meditating and exploring breathing techniques. I earned professional credentials that allowed me to help myself and others. I found my voice when I shared the body, mind and breath practices that were working for me. My enthusiasm grew as I witnessed the positive effects in their lives too. My wise future self talked to my younger self. I filled journals with supportive self-talk and my old house started to feel like a new house. I learned the value of self-compassion, self-care and self-acceptance by testing those attributes in my lived reality.

A New Way of Being

Through my restoration project that included a divorce, a move 811 miles away, a series of new places to live, jobs and friends, I could feel what I wanted and needed because I had been building a new way of being from the inside out. I made effective choices based on present moment awareness. I explored countless simple micro-movements to nourish myself by caring about my own suffering, recognizing I am human and gradually, felt more confident and competent. I accepted myself and actually discovered a sense of peace I had not tapped into previously. Then, I met Eddie almost as soon as I arrived in my new home. We began a friendship that evolved into love. Now, we have a committed equal partnership in business and in life. The love we share today was sparked by my inner work to love myself.

Sharing My Experience and Knowledge with You

I have learned the ways to build a strong foundation that supports a thriving life with purpose, compassion and love. I know now what I wish I had known earlier, minus the overwhelm and anxiety. I can help you build a secure foundation too. I can authentically share what truly works by mentoring with mindfulness. I have lived experience, insights, guidance and simple tools that lead you through the transition zone from where you are to where you want to be, living the life you love.