In conversation with Mackenzie Belcastro on aligning with the truth of who you really are
Beyond the surface of conventional wellness, Mackenzie's expertise extends into the nuanced landscapes of somatics and yoga nidra. As a somatics expert, she delves into the rich tapestry of bodily wisdom, offering insights into the transformative potential of reconnecting with our physical selves.
How would you describe your personal philosophy of living well?
To me, living well is about living in alignment with the truth of who you really are. Since we are constantly evolving, what makes us feel best often changes, depending on what season of life we are living in. So, at the end of the day, wellness for me looks like an intimate relationship with myself, and that can manifest as taking the time to journal, meditate, walk, cook, breathe, read, listen to chocolate, make a simple, morning coffee… It can look like so many things, but the core of what makes me feel well or not well is how I show up and engage with the moment. When I am caught up in my to-do list, my “should’s”—in any form of performance, regardless of what acts I am carrying out, I am suffering from the worst kind of suffering: disconnection with the self. Whereas when I am present and embodied, I am well.
How did your journey into the world of wellness and holistic practices begin? Was there a particular moment or experience that set you on this path?
It’s been a long road, but, yes, there was a pivotal moment in what I’d call phase 1 of this whole path. I had a panic attack in my first year of university. It came on suddenly and, as I knew nothing about panic attacks at the time, I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. I remember calling my parents and my dad rushing me to the hospital. Neither of my parents knew about panic attacks either, and, actually, both of them have a history of different heart conditions. So, unfortunately, until I saw a doctor, both my dad and I were in deep fear that my heart was malfunctioning—that made a lasting imprint on me. Once I was made aware of what had happened, I feared it happening again. And, like so many, I began essentially inducing panic attacks. I was scared of being scared. That was when I knew I had to start looking for solutions. Enter meditation, my gateway drug, so to speak, to this whole holistic universe.
What daily practices or rituals do you recommend for maintaining a sense of balance and mindfulness in our busy lives?
Number one is prioritizing sleep. I believe in hitting the sheets earlier than later, as we get higher quality sleep before 12AM, and the following day is so much so determined by how well we have slept the night before. I aim to be in bed around 9PM so I can light my candles and unwind for an hour in bed prior to going to sleep.
In terms of daytime, there is so much value in taking a simple walk. That’s a big one for me when it comes to changing my state and coming back to myself.
This other one is not necessarily daily but so powerful for when you’ve got a lot of pent up anger: Kundalini’s Fists of Anger Kriya—I’m always amazed at how much tension rises and releases, even in just 60 seconds of this exercise.
I also make sure to sneak in a Superhuman App meditation every day as these have changed my life, no exaggeration.
Last thing is taking even just a few minutes to connect with a loved one. My boyfriend and I have very different schedules but as long as we have 15 minutes to chat, goof around, and/or cuddle, I find we stay truly connected, which is good for the health of our relationship, and ourselves as individuals. If you’re not partnered, calling your mom or a good friend, or having a healing session of your choice, does the trick too—connection in general, even with a grocery clerk, really does nourish the soul.
What are some personal passions that bring you joy and inspiration?
I am a big fan of Henri Matisse and so whenever I need a good hit of inspiration, I’ll look at some of his artwork online, as sadly it’s often not available to me in person. That said, I will take a good meander around any sort of art gallery, museum, or old department store like Le Bon Marché—just to be in the vicinity of creativity, regardless of whether the art or clothing specifically appeals to me.
I also adore the cinema. I’ll go with people, or totally alone! I love exploring old ones with enchanting architecture that send me back in time. A few in Helsinki and Paris I find especially glamorous. There also used to be one in the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto that was so lovely and often did screenings of Audrey Hepburn movies. That sort of ambiance brings me to life and soothes me all at once.
Truly, there are so many things that light me up, but the last I’ll share here are going to thoughtfully decorated restaurants, hotels, and bookstores. Immersing myself in inspiring spaces touches me on a spiritual level.
Do you have any guides or mentors in your life that have impacted your journey in a positive way?
My Reiki teacher Lara Elliott is an earth angel. She not only taught me the art of Reiki, but she inspired me through her thoughtful, loving way of living.
My coach DeeAnne Chomiak of Philosophy of Leisure has also played a massive role. She is so encouraging, insightful, and warm. She really knows how to make you feel like you are held whilst gently kicking you out of the nest, so to speak, so you may show yourself what you are capable of. I appreciate her dearly.
As a Reiki practitioner, how do you describe the concept of energy healing to someone unfamiliar with it? Can you share a powerful example of how Reiki has positively impacted a client?
I typically say something like, “Energy healing is a means of restoring you to your natural state of inner peace.” And then I’ll bring up a common experience that gives a similar effect to a Reiki session. Like, for instance, taking a walk. I’ll say, “Imagine you are all riled up about something, say you had an argument with your partner, and then you go for a walk. After that walk, you’ll typically notice you feel a lot better. That’s because you’ve, yes, gotten fresh air, but also because you’ve moved the energy that was pent up in your body—the anger, the sadness, etc.—and you’ve released it. Reiki has the same effect, only you are lying down in savasana and allowing the practitioner to do the work of releasing for you.”
I once had a client who had incredible insomnia, and tons of cascading effects from that—including a worsening of her mental and skin health. After our first Reiki session she was able to get deep, restorative sleep for the first time in months. She still comes back to me now and again, but that first session in and of itself was deeply transformative for her, not only physically but also emotionally as it had her see that she was not a “lost cause.” Often those of us who come to alternative healing arrive here because nothing else has worked. When we find something that does, like Reiki in her case, it’s truly profound.
Somatics emphasises the mind-body connection. How does understanding and working with this connection contribute to overall wellness?
Our bodies hold so much information that our minds are often unaware of, or rather out of touch with. By connecting to our bodies, say through a focusing practice wherein you essentially have a conversation with a part of your body that may be tense, you allow a part of yourself that you may have disconnected from (often due to the mind’s desire to keep you safe) to come back online. When that happens, you can uncover what it is that you truly need in order to begin to heal. This isn’t to say your body will always tell you what has been suppressed—often it’s not about that intellectual conversation. It’s about your body telling you what it needs in order to release the energy it has stored within that’s causing you to feel heavy, worn down, possibly ill. In many cases, that release comes in the form of crying, screaming, shaking, and what your body needs to allow for that is something as simple as hugging yourself, rocking yourself, and/or whispering to your inner child that you are there, that you will listen, that you won’t abandon yourself, that you will care for you.
Have you read any books or watched any films that left a lasting impression on you?
The Before Sunset, Before Sunrise, and Before Midnight trilogy is an absolute favorite. I’m not big on action films; I more so want to engage with interesting concepts and conversations, and drink in beautiful scenery. This trilogy serves up exactly that. Some people say “nothing happens,” but I get sucked into their conversation every time. All three are exceptionally well written—very much films that have you mull over the meaning of life.
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, a book by Mason Currey, which is really a compilation of artist interviews and biographies, was incredibly fascinating to me, particularly when I first began to forge my own path as it showed me how other “outliers” lived their lives.
Of course, Tim Ferriss’ work did a number on me some ten years ago when I left my corporate job. I’d say his podcast and his 4-Hour Work Week were the driving factors behind my decision to take a chance on my dreams. I’m forever indebted to him and his contemporaries, particularly those who were gracious enough to chat with a young 20-something in dire need of self-belief and guidance.
When it comes to fiction, Joanne Harris and Robert Dinsdale are two gorgeous storytellers with lyrical writing that reads like poetry. I believe I’ve read all of each of their books, and they’ve written a lot! Harris’ Chocolat series is a favorite though, and Dinsdale’s The Toymakers is particularly magical.
Can you share a particular challenge you have overcome and a moment that stands out as a triumph in your journey so far (career or personal!)?
Heartbreak has always been quite devastating to me. I know it is to most, but I will say that, as I also had some attachment issues… that just made it all the harder. Thankfully, I’ve worked through a lot in the past 3 years, but prior to doing said work I honestly felt as if a breakup could kill me.
To be more pointed, a few years back, I went through two breakups in one year and, while it was so hard, I look back and think, “Oh thank god. I get it now. I needed to learn how to mend those wounds.” I believe that to my core. I believe I was gifted that opportunity. It was a sort of smack in the face in order to force me into finally doing the work. I’d avoided it for too long.
The triumph is being in this place I’m in now: knowing deep in my bones that if my current relationship were to fall apart tomorrow, it’s actually okay, because finally I have myself. And this was tested two summers ago when we went through a difficult time. I held myself through it all and only deepened my relationship to myself and source. It’s a beautiful thing to realize you are so beyond enough. It also breeds far healthier relationships! I’ve never felt so secure.
Where is your favourite place to escape to when you need to take a breath?
Paris. I used to live there and I’ve almost moved back so many times. My parents and I have spent so much time there, really for the last 18 years. And when I lived there on my own, that was when I was going through my spiritual awakening. So, I often feel like I really grew into myself whilst there. It’s a very sacred place for me, one that seems to reflect in its culture my internal landscape. For that, it never fails to connect me to my soul, and deeply inspire me.
mackenziebelcastro.com