Meet Maria O’Connell | Ayurveda Practitioner, Massage Therapist, Reiki, and Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria O’Connell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Surprisingly when I take personality type tests I seem to score high in the risk taking category, and yet I do not feel I am a risk taker. I don’t drive fast, seek the adrenal rush of downhill skiing, or any high speed activity. I personally prefer self-propulsion to motors or gravity. See; not very risky. I do tend to think of risk as a matter of choice. For example in my career; I began my career as a dental hygienist. When my eldest son was one I was inspired by how much he had learned and grown in a single year and, as I had always wanted to do more with my career, I went back to school in the evenings to obtain my BS in Mechanical Engineering. To me the risk was in not changing. I do embrace change as it is the one constant (Seems like an oxymoron but it is not. Change is the one thing that occurs all the time, we can count on it.). While in school I had two more beautiful sons along the way. When I graduated I actually made less per hour as an engineer than as a dental hygienist but I knew in time that would change and of course it did. I then received an offer to transfer out of automotive into oil and gas but the change required a move from Michigan to Houston where I did not know anyone. Again the risk was in stagnation and not changing so I made the choice when I received this amazing offer. My three sons and I moved to Houston for a brand new start and it worked out well for all of us. I feel each choice one makes will come with some uncertainty but life always does. There is nothing certain about staying in one career compared to taking a chance and changing careers. You never know what challenges the industry might face or what you may go through. I feel that with careful thought, prayer, and the will to work hard; the outcome will be as it should. My final change, to date, was leaving a job as a vice president to open my own business as a wellness consultant steeped in the tradition of Ayurveda. I looked at this change as my retirement job and an opportunity to give back to the community. I studied for two years, moved to Tennessee, and opened my business which has worked out well so far. I find what I am doing now to be very fulfilling and it brings me peace which ultimately seems to be the goal of all work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I left my role as a vice president in an oil and gas service company I really wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. I was not happy with my job, really, for the first time ever, as previously I always loved what I did. It was time for me to move on and when the opportunity came up I took it and left my job. I prayed, rested, and reflected on what was next and began to look to the universe to guide me. This was a very new way for me as I typically had my life planned out – lol right?!. We counted on my employment for insurance and income as my husband was happily retired. One day, pretty much out of the blue, he received an offer for a job that inspired him and sounded like fun. He took the job so I could be free to find what was next for me. When I walked into the yoga studio that day, there was a sign for yoga teacher training. I signed up for the class and my teacher said ‘it was about time’ as she knew this was the direction for me. Through yoga training and curious meetings, Ayurveda kept on appearing in my life. After several people encouraged me to take this path it just seemed like what I was looking for. Supported by my husband, Art, I moved to Albuquerque and then Asheville to complete two years of study with Dr. Lad. Living separate from my husband was challenging but we both felt it was important for me to really take the time to learn. I’ve learned that when I am on the right path the doors just seem to open. This does not mean that there are not challenges but when I released control of my destiny, the right direction just seemed to be clear and the road open. Life has always presented challenges but I’ve learned the difference between the path I should be on where my heart is easy verse the path I think I want to be on that seems to be more difficult on my heart. Each direction would present challenges but the path that I should be on seems more peaceful verse the path I feel I want to be on will often become problematic. When I force the outcome I feel I want I often end up feeling that I am compromising something to be moving in that direction. My heart is not at peace. This is something I have had to learn as when I have stayed the course on a more forced path the results have always been less than ideal. I have learned to pray for what is best for me as I do not always know what that is. I have learned to trust my intuition and guidance that sometimes comes in such unique ways. We cannot pray for what we want; but we can pray for the strength to move through something that will make us stronger, the knowledge to understand when we are on the right path, and the understanding that we will be a better person when we accept this guidance.

As an Ayurvedic practitioner I always share with my clients that I want to impart enough wisdom to them so they do not need to count on me. That they are in control of their wellness and are fully capable to meet their goals; I am only providing guidance. I love when people feel empowered to control their wellness and take the educational information, make it personal, and begin to feel better. Once someone learns to read their own story the insight and understanding of what makes them feel well often comes flooding in. I feel what sets me apart is my background. I come from a very scientific education. Engineering is rather precise where processes and procedures are very important. I am now if a role when nothing fits into a single mold, where listening and meditating on a client is often the most insightful information. To really see, listen, and watch what a client is saying, to really try to understand them fully as they are the most authentic source of information about themselves. So much is revealed by not trying to understand with the mind but instead listening with the heart. Once this information is available I can then share it in a very clear and precise way using my background in science. I have learned that my pathway to joy is through learning, being curious, and finding joy in the unknown which helps me with the role I am in now.

I have also learned that in order to be the best person I can and to be available to others, that I need to take care of and make time for myself. I love time in nature and find it to be one of the best teachers and healers. We live on 10 acres that we feel honored to take care of. We leave half the property wild with a winding path to stroll through, watch the pollinators, birds, and various creatures, while enjoying the wildflowers and picking berries. Our clients are welcome to walk the property as time in nature is so nourishing. I find this space allows me to breathe deeply and find the healing that each of us needs; the outdoors has always been a place of solitude and peace.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting I would always start with inviting them into my home. Sharing where you live with family and friends feels so connecting and welcoming. I would make a wonderful home cooked meal using foods from the garden. We would walk the path on the property, sit and talk in the She-barn, listen to the birds and the frogs. At night we would sit around the fire and share stories of past and present. The area we live in is considered the Upper Cumberland. We are flush with parks, waterfalls, and wonderful small towns. I would introduce them to some places in the town I live in and then go on a tour of waterfalls and hikes. We may find a nice B-n-B to stay at so we can go further from home, exploring some small town shops and restaurants. On the last day we would find a hotel in Nashville and enjoy the town. Exploring the many eateries and music venues until we were exhausted and needed to go back to the hotel. Spending time with cherished friends and family is one of the best gifts in life.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who supported me along the way, my sons Jacob, Jared, and Brendan have supported me the most. At times they would come to school with me and sit quietly while I took a test. They trusted me and came willingly to Texas for a fresh start for all of us. They are each so interesting and inspire me to be the best that I can. I have always loved to watch them learn and grow which has helped me stay curious throughout my life. My change out of engineering into wellness was inspired by my teacher Sharon at the Houston Ayurveda and Yoga Ashram who first introduced me to Ayurveda and was my first yoga teacher. Also, my guru, Dr. Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute along with all the wonderful instructors there guided me to my current career; providing experiential learning by sharing their knowledge to help me grow as a person and a practitioner.

Website: https://TheWaxingHeart.com

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Image Credits
Maria O’Connell