This one’s a little more sciencey than I usually go, but I’ve done that on purpose. Because if you’re anything like the women I work with, you don’t just want tools…You want to understand how and why things actually work. You want to know what’s really going on when you’re spiralling, shutting down, over-apologising, or trying to force calm but feeling anything but.
So in this conversation, I’m walking you through the inner mechanics of emotional regulation, and the real reason why all your mindset work, breathwork, and journaling sometimes still don’t cut it.
We’re talking:
I created this to help you feel less like you’re “too sensitive” or “not trying hard enough”… and more like a woman whose brilliant nervous system is just asking for the right kind of support.
This isn’t about doing more. (Hear me on this one!) It’s about understanding the invisible mechanics behind why you feel what you feel, and learning how to work with your biology, not against it. When you know how to respond to your body’s signals instead of suppressing them, everything changes. Because emotional regulation isn't just about staying calm, it’s about creating the safety your brain needs to choose presence, power, and peace.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Emotional Hijacks
02:36 The Brain's Emotional Circuitry
05:28 The Role of the Amygdala in Emotional Responses
08:19 Navigating Emotional Reactions
11:03 The Importance of Context in Emotional Regulation
13:50 Neuroplasticity and Emotional Resilience
🖤 In this episode, Arianna explores the concept of discernment, particularly for high performers who often struggle with knowing when to push and when to rest. She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and nervous system regulation as foundational elements for making aligned decisions. Through practical insights and personal anecdotes, Arianna guides listeners on how to cultivate discernment in their daily lives, embrace discomfort as a source of data, and develop a deeper relationship with themselves to enhance their decision-making processes.
📌 Takeaways
Discernment is the ability to make aligned decisions amidst pressure.
Nervous system regulation is crucial for effective discernment.
Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence.
Discomfort should be viewed as data, not failure.
High performers often struggle with knowing when to rest.
Practising discernment on small decisions builds the muscle for larger ones.
Creating stillness practices helps in recognising inner cues.
Trusting oneself is essential for high-integrity leadership.
Decisions made from presence feel grounded and clear.
Self-awareness allows for better management of energy and emotions.
🖤 to find out more about LEAD FROM STILLNESS: https://www.ariannapienaar.com/coaching
to apply for 1:1 coaching: https://www.ariannapienaar.com/apply-for-leadership-coaching
Soul School: https://www.ariannapienaar.com/soul-school
🖤 Chapters
00:00 Understanding Capacity and Discernment
08:27 The Importance of Nervous System Regulation
16:36 Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence
20:49 The Challenge of High Performance
24:09 Refining Your Discernment Practice
29:49 Discomfort as Data
34:38 Making Decisions from Presence vs. Pressure
39:25 Building the Muscle of Discernment
Ready to Dive Deeper?
🌟 [Work with Arianna] arianna.com.au/coaching
Stay Connected:
📸 [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ariannapienaar/)
🔗 [VisitWebsite](arianna.com.au)
📘 [Like on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ariannapienaar/)
Support:
If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to my channel for more transformative content!
➛ YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/nXup_oyEZjE
Video hashtags: #discernment #highperformance #selfawareness
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new wellness practice.
Thank you for being here!
Let's embark on this journey to find peace and plenty together. 🌱✨
🌟🌟🌟🖤 In this conversation, Arianna discusses the importance of intentionality in personal practices such as breath work, meditation, and movement. She emphasizes the need to regulate the nervous system through specific techniques and how to anchor the mind during meditation. Additionally, she highlights the significance of physical movement and yoga in maintaining body awareness and managing mental distractions.
Finally, she introduces the Stillness Method, a structured 30-day program designed to help individuals cultivate these practices effectively.
📌 Takeaways
00:00 Intentional Living: The Key to Success
01:50 Regulating Your Nervous System
04:37 Anchoring Your Mind
07:15 The Importance of Physical Activity
09:42 Overcoming Mental Barriers
12:10 The Stillness Method: A 30-Day Journey
🖤 Stillness PLAYLIST LINK: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIS1OC2OeNNfmxiEWcsBOsisItTjDfpxC&si=wCEwZtE3QkZbzLV3
🖤 Join the Stillness Method here: https://www.ariannapienaar.com/stillness
🖤 Yoga Nidra Practices: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIS1OC2OeNNe0Qtbf5-aZl1ySt7WZzaYl&si=dSgPWoP7X2qTx95W
🌟 Breathwork Practices: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIS1OC2OeNNcdNsibOnPglJHdiMcqRey4&si=W7wLoBzQ8_A46pQ2
🌟 Meditation Practices: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIS1OC2OeNNc6utF5fjsrVjOsoKpP8J-E&si=acmqOYpL5hBnv-Ki
🌟 [Work with Arianna] arianna.com.au
Stay Connected:
📸 [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ariannapienaar/)
🔗 [VisitWebsite](arianna.com.au)
📘 [Like on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ariannapienaar/)
Recommended Videos:
1. HOW TO DO BELLY BREATHING EXERCISES https://youtu.be/bebgc3OcLcI?si=itEsFnK31n8YPxy4
2. YOGA FOR SLEEP https://youtu.be/rMxPZSGkyQY?si=rJACCviHvvdv6J583. BODY SCAN MEDITATION https://youtu.be/iMJEi1S5mTY?si=VrLdu5o4cg6JKpaG
Support:
If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to my channel for more transformative content!
➛ YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/OU512ZVsTaI
Video hashtags: #breathing #breathwork #meditation #nervoussystem
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new wellness practice.
Thank you for being here! Let's embark on this journey to find peace and plenty together. 🌱✨
If rest feels frustrating, unproductive, or even impossible—you’re not alone. In this episode of The Art of Stillness, we explore why so many high-achieving women find it hard to slow down, even when they know they need to.
You'll learn:
The hidden resistance to rest (and what it’s really protecting)
How your nervous system interprets stillness
Why “doing nothing” can feel unsafe—and what to do about it
Gentle practices to build your rest tolerance over time
Whether you’ve been stuck in hustle mode or feel guilty for slowing down, this episode offers grounded guidance, compassion, and practical tools to support your body and mind in recalibrating your relationship with rest.
Not all action is aligned.
This episode offers you a radical reframe: Stillness isn’t a delay in your progress. It’s the strategy you’ve been missing. We’ll talk about why traditional productivity tools don’t work for multi-passionate women, how to stop confusing motion with momentum, and how to let your next step find you. If you’ve tried every scheduling hack, every morning routine, every planner—and still feel overwhelmed—this episode is for you.
Here, we trade the hustle for harmony.
Strategy for resonance. Force for flow.
If you're curious about your own design and if you're living in alignment, head on over to this page and book yourself in for an MG Magic Audit: https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
You don’t owe anyone your exhaustion. You’re allowed to say no to the extra project, the unaligned opportunity, the people-pleasing loop. In this episode, we explore what happens when you start honouring your “no” as much as your “yes.”
You’ll discover where your boundaries are being blurred, how to stop leaking energy to commitments that don’t serve you, and why the pause between stimulus and response is where your power lies.
If you’ve been carrying more than your share, overgiving, overextending, or saying “yes” out of guilt… this is your call back to sovereignty. Stillness isn’t selfish—it’s sacred.
To book yourself in for a Magic Audit: https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
You weren’t built to move at one speed. Some days, you’re on fire—bursting with ideas, creating with ease. Other days, your body asks for quiet, for softness, for stillness. But the world doesn’t make space for that kind of rhythm.
In this episode, we’re dismantling the myth of consistency and productivity—and talking about what it really means to build a life that aligns with your natural energy flow. You’ll learn how to honour your cycles, how to spot when you’re forcing against your body’s truth, and how to recalibrate your pace so your work supports your energy—not the other way around. This is your permission slip to stop trying to “keep up” and start designing a rhythm that feeds you.
TO Book yourself in for a Magic Audit - https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
When was the last time you made a decision without overthinking it? In a world that rewards logic and productivity, it’s easy to lose connection with your intuitive “yes.”
This episode is about reawakening that clarity—learning what it feels like in your body, how to recognise when you’re overriding it, and what happens when you begin to trust it again. If you’ve been second-guessing, stuck in indecision, or trying to “strategise” your way forward—this is your invitation to feel instead of force.
To book yourself in for a MAGIC AUDIT: https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
You’ve done all the “right” things—said yes to the opportunities, built the career or business, stayed productive- and yet, under the surface, something still feels off. This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down and listen to the voice you’ve been too busy to hear: your own.
We’ll explore why stillness isn’t about doing less—it’s about remembering who you are when you stop proving. If you’re feeling the ache for alignment, this is where your return begins.
To book yourself in for a MAGIC AUDIT: https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
This is the integration. The moment where all the insights, pauses, and shifts you’ve experienced throughout this series begin to land. In this final episode, we explore what it means to lead from clarity, to live from energy, and to trust yourself again—fully. This is the place where force fades and magnetism rises.
Where success feels less like striving and more like receiving.
You’ll meet the version of you who knows how to choose herself without apology. Who no longer edits her truth to be palatable. If you’re ready to stop outsourcing your power and start living as the woman you were always meant to be, this one is for you. This is your still step forward. Let’s take it together.
You’re not exhausted because you’re doing too much—you’re exhausted because you’re doing too much of what’s misaligned.
In this episode, we unpack the invisible places where you’re leaking energy and why the patterns that got you here won’t get you where you truly want to go.
You’ll learn how to spot energetic “leaks” before they lead to burnout—and how stillness becomes the first step to reclaiming your clarity, rhythm, and power.
Let this be the moment you stop running on fumes and start leading from fullness.
To book yourself in for a MAGIC AUDIT: https://www.arianna.com.au/mgmagicaudit
🎙️ INTRO EPISODE:
Description: If you’re the kind of woman who gets things done but lately feels like success is starting to cost more than it’s giving, you’re in the right place.
In this bonus opening episode, I’ll walk you through what This Series is all about, who it’s for, and how each episode will help you reconnect with your own clarity, rhythm, and power.
This series is intended to be a soft place to land. A space to pause. And a starting point for living and leading in a way that feels like you. Let’s begin with stillness.
- And let it guide us forward.
If your mind feels too busy to rest and your body struggles to unwind, this episode is for you. I’ll guide you through a simple breathwork practice designed to quiet mental chatter, relax your nervous system, and set the stage for deep, restorative sleep.
If you’re looking for a structured way to integrate breathwork, meditation, and stillness into your life, The Stillness Method is now open for enrollment. This 8-week program is designed for busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to cultivate inner calm and lead with presence.
Join the beta round and get personalized guidance, live support, and an approach that fits into your life. Learn more and sign up at [here]
Hit play, take a deep breath, and let’s begin.
Do you ever feel like life is moving too fast, and you can’t seem to slow down?
In this episode, I dive into the real reasons we struggle with slowing down, challenge the beliefs that keep us stuck in busyness, and offer practical strategies to help you create more space, presence, and ease in your daily life.
You’ll learn:
Why slowing down is not lazy but essential for success and well-being
The hidden costs of constantly being busy
Simple strategies to reset, refocus, and reclaim your time
How to assess if you have too much on your plate (and what to do about it)
If you’re ready to shift from overwhelm to intentional action, this episode is for you.
Resources & Links:
Book yourself in for the Too Much on My Plate Assessment: HERE
Learn more about working with me: [HERE]
Connect with me on [INSTAGRAM]
Support the Podcast:If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a friend who might need this message. And if you feel called, leave a rating and review—it truly helps more people find the podcast and benefit from these conversations.
Thank you for tuning in!
Remember, slowing down isn’t about losing momentum—it’s about moving with more purpose.
Bye for now,
Stillness is not the absence of movement—it is the presence of deep awareness.
This 20-minute Yoga Nidra practice invites you into a space of effortless rest, where the body softens, the mind quiets, and the nervous system resets. Through guided breathwork, body awareness, and visualization, you’ll cultivate a sense of inner calm that lingers far beyond the practice itself.
Perfect for unwinding after a long day, preparing for deep sleep, or simply reconnecting with yourself amid life’s busyness. Allow yourself to settle, to pause, to be—because stillness is an art, and it begins here.
For more practices like this, and support on implementing and practicing, head on over to the STILLNESS METHOD.
ENJOY X
Welcome back to the podcast!
This episode marks an exciting shift that reflects how my work has evolved and how I can better support you. If you’ve been a longtime listener, you know this space has always been about holistic well-being, coaching, and the deeper work of creating a life you love. But as my focus has refined—toward stress resilience, nervous system regulation, and intentional leadership—I knew it was time for the podcast to evolve, too.
So, I’m introducing The Art of Stillness—a space dedicated to exploring movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and the power of stillness in everyday life.
In this episode, I walk you through:
✔️ Why I made this change and what it means for you
✔️ The new rhythm of the podcast—a structured flow designed to bring ease and consistency into your listening experience
✔️ What’s staying the same and what’s new
If you’re ready to deepen your relationship with stillness, subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’d love to take these teachings further, join me on my email list here or connect with me on Instagram [@ariannapienaar] and LinkedIn.
Thank you for being here—I can’t wait to share this next season.
Are You Ignoring Your Natural Rhythms?
Most people think exhaustion comes from lack of sleep. But often, it’s from constantly pushing through when your body is asking you to pause.
We live in a world that glorifies hustle, ignoring the cycles of energy and rest that govern both nature and our bodies. When you work against these rhythms, burnout is inevitable. But when you align with them, life flows with more ease, energy, and clarity.
In this episode, we explore:
✔ What natural rhythms are and how they shape your energy
✔ How stillness builds self-awareness and prevents burnout
✔ The power of pausing—why rest is the key to sustainable productivity
✔ How to track your energy cycles and work with them, not against them
Want a framework to apply this in your life? Download the Flow Over Force guide and start creating more ease today.
https://www.arianna.com.au/flow
#Stillness #EnergyManagement #SelfAwareness #HolisticWellness
I want to chat with you about something that’s at the heart of living a truly fulfilling life: accountability and taking ownership. Now, if you’re the kind of person who only pays bills when the reminders start piling up, or if you tend to ignore those little bodily signals until they become something more serious—this conversation is especially for you.
This is just one way to shift your energy. FLOW TO FORCE GUIDE for morearianna.com.au/flow
🖤 Join the Waitlist for Nidra Nirvana (a 4wk practice container): https://arianna-pienaar.ck.page/c077a...
🖤 In today's fast-paced world, finding a moment of deep relaxation can feel impossible. That's where Yoga Nidra and NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) come in—a guided meditation practice that helps you achieve profound rest and healing.Imagine lying down in a comfortable position, a soothing female voice guiding you through a full body scan, gently easing you into a state of deep relaxation. This isn't just any form of meditation; this is Yoga Nidra—also known as yogic sleep—that allows you to reset your nervous system and remove mental blockages.In just 32 minutes, this guided yoga nidra session will take you through the stages of deep rest, utilizing delta waves to help rewire your brain and promote healing. Whether you're seeking a nervous system reset or simply need to unwind, this grounding yoga nidra will anchor you back to the present moment, helping you resolve the tension held within your body and mind.This NSDR protocol is designed to be accessible, even if you're new to meditation. It's a powerful tool for those who need a quick yet effective way to relax, rejuvenate, and regain focus. As you drift into this state of non-sleep-deep rest, you'll experience a profound sense of relaxation, as if you've had hours of restful sleep, all in just 32 minutes.Whether you're using this 32-minute yoga nidra for rest, healing, or simply as a way to ground yourself, this practice is a potent way to enhance your well-being. So, let go of your stress, resolve your mental blockages, and allow this guided relaxation to bring you into a state of deep, restorative rest.
Yoga Nidra for Self-Love and Heart Centering 🖤 Discover the transformative power of Yoga Nidra and NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest), focusing on cultivating self-love, peace, and emotional health. In this 45-minute guided meditation journey, I combine the profound benefits of yogic sleep with mindful relaxation techniques, offering a path to deep rest and inner peace.Immerse yourself in a state of deep relaxation and heart-centered awareness with Yoga Nidra. I will gently lead you through a body scan, bringing your attention to the heart chakra (Anahata) and fostering a profound sense of self-compassion and acceptance. As you breathe deeply, allow yourself to receive the healing energy of loving kindness and positive affirmations.Join me for a transformative session of 45 minutes of Yoga Nidra and NSDR meditation. Embrace the full spectrum of relaxation, from deep rest to conscious awareness, and let this heart-centred practice guide you toward profound self-care and inner peace.📌 Cultivating Inner Peace and Emotional Balance: Through the practice of Yoga Nidra, you will explore the depths of self-love and compassion. Guided relaxation will help you resolve internal conflicts and reset your emotional state, fostering a sense of gratitude and inner peace. The integration of heart chakra meditations and loving-kindness exercises supports a nurturing environment for your heart, enhancing your receptivity and overall well-being.
🖤 RESONANCE 10WK YOGA NIDRA: https://arianna-pienaar.ck.page/3043c...