Embody Studio and B&B, Megan MacCarthy

03/03/2026

Feeling spontaneous?! One room left for our Puglia, Italy Somatic Yoga and Sound Retreat - March 15-22. Can be private, double or triple occupancy with private bath. DM me for details

27/02/2026

When it’s Friday night, you’re already in your pajamas at 7pm, your new sound therapy toy arrives, and the only lovely being who shares your excitement is the dog. Except Milo is a lab; and like any lab, he can’t decide if it’s something to eat or I am annoying his nap for no reason. Italy yoga and sound retreat…here we come! Thank you .ie and

14/02/2026

A My Funny Valentine duet to make you smile with your heart 💚🎷🐕 love you ❤︎

12/02/2026

Finding Resilience and Unity In The Winter Olympics

Perhaps some of you are as excited about the winter Olympics as I am. A young mountain girl me lived in the Rockies for a decade where World Cup Alpine skiing was hosted. No sport bestowed reverence in me like hearing and briefly seeing elite athletes exceed 80 MPH (130 km/h) as they carve through steep gates with nothing but skis, poles and a stretchy suit between them and their dream. In addition to the extraordinary discipline, physical strength and coordination, world class Alpine skiers have incredible mental fortitude and resilience.

Lately, I feel like I am crashing in an individual sport; and want to abandon "team USA".

I need help to continue to be a compassionate part of the universal race. I don't want to feel as if I have to hide my identity or explain my principles as an American living overseas.

These two weeks provide me hope and pride in my country. The Olympics are the premier athletic representation of the universal (ok - maybe just international) connection of our human nature. The lighting of the torch goes all the way back to ancient Greece. The Olympic flame blazes constantly; the primal, elemental symbol of light. In many spiritual traditions, light is the metaphor of life-giving wisdom, and the presence of Divine consciousness. All four venues are sacred spaces where wars are left behind and athletes compete in peace. There are no suspicions of "what side are you on" between athletes and fans.

In yoga philosophy, 108 is the most auspicious number. The number 108 has many symbolic meanings. The one that sticks with me currently is that it is considered the connection between human nature and the Divine - the body of matter and consciousness. It is our ability to reflect on Self in relation to the universe; and connect the uncertainty of individual ego with something greater. We tune into cheering from our higher power; especially when we fall.

The number 108 represents the place where we go back into the starting gate again and again; and still believe in ourselves. When the human road is a scary, bumpy downhill, we unite to find the mental and emotional strength to get through adversity.

What’s the connection between the Olympics and 108? The greatest skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin, is coming into the Olympics with 108 career World Cup wins. 108 is the perfect number; and perfect for Shiffrin. Yes, I want her to get the gold medal she deserves. But with or without more Olympic medals, what impresses me is her ability to embody a journey of inner strength despite physical injuries that led to PTSD and the tragic loss of her father.

Big congratulations to Breezy Johnson on putting her demons to rest from a previous ACL rupturing injury in Cortina; an aggressive gold medal run!

And in spite of her devastating crash, Lindsey Vonn is my goddess of the downhill. I hold her healing and her words in my heart, “as long as there is a chance, I will try”.

Please continue to work this difficult terrain with me. And cheer for your heroes who inspire resilience.

In Light, Megan

PS As I finish posting this with a cuppa tea, the tea bag has the last word: " Don't be afraid to fall. Be afraid not to try."

11/01/2026

Enjoy this short and practical video for your neck and shoulders. And if you want more like this, you can sign up to go on the Simple Somatic Yoga 31 days of Sweetness journey. There is also an option to sign up for a monthly or annual membership on our website which includes the whole video library and my Friday Somatic Yoga Zoom classes.

We are making changes to our platform and will be keeping most videos private on vimeo instead of posting to YouTube. Michael has been working to make your user experience smoother as I find direction in new class creations. Whats up next? My personal, necessary favorite - hip mobility.

Peace, Megan

Dear Students,Enjoy this short and practical video for your neck and shoulders. And if you want more like this, visit our website to take the Simple Somatic...

21/12/2025

Blessed Solstice from Ballydehob 🌞

13/12/2025

This is a shorter practice today specifically for releasing neck (and shoulder) tension. This is one of the areas where I compress myself when I am worried or anxious. If find it is also an area that appreciates under-doing and quiet listening, (the Vishudha Chakra - the communicator).

If you feel anxious or emotionally imbalanced, releasing muscular tension is so important. Anxiety is not a feeling state that can be present in the body if the body is relaxed. Anxiety is a product of the muscular tension.

It is so common to hold this tension in the neck (the superhighway between the heart and the brain) and not know it. To be able to stay awake and present in the body while familiarizing yourself with the tension is the journey to letting it go. That's why it is called the "relaxation process". No one else can do it for us, and we have to process mental anxiety as well as take steps to relax muscular tension.

I hope this video helps to bring peace to your holiday season.

In Service,

Megan

PS Are you setting intentions for the New Year that includes more self care and less pushing through? Our Simple Somatic Yoga 31 Days of Sweetness is coming soon!

If Somatic Yoga is your favorite, join me live for a Somatic Yoga class on Zoom. Classes take place on select Fridays from 4-5:15 Dublin Time. Here is a link...

06/12/2025

This class is a nervous system rest. In case you need it, I am giving you permission to help put your pajamas on a bit earlier, snuggle up and get some extra sleep during the dark days (Southern Hemisphere friends, you can do it too! )

Stay tuned...we will be welcoming in 2026 with an option to purchase Simple Somatics - 31 Days Of Sweetness very soon.

Dear Students, This class is a nervous system rest. It is here to help you to snuggle up and give yourself permission to get some extra sleep during the dark...

29/11/2025

Never underestimate the benefit of knowing where your fingers, hands and wrists are and how they move. These joints are most likely used for daily tasks more than any others in our bodies. Yet, as our feelers into the world for what we reach for - and what we let go of - they seem to stay off the yoga radar unless they are causing problems.

An important aspect of mobility in these areas is knowing where these joints are on your body map. They also need to be strong for gripping and to protect from injuries. There are even studies that show that hand grip strength is a key indicator of overall health, including cardiovascular, immune, and mental health.
I have dealt with bouts of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (the lesser known sister to carpal tunnel); have ligament damage in my dominant thumb, and have cranky hands overall from years of plank posture and holding tightly to things like ski poles and sheet ropes. My list of hand issues goes on, but so is my appreciation for giving them their own yoga practice.

Maybe you, or someone you love, rely on the pain free function of your hands as a profession?

Let me know. Thank You to several students who requested this video. It is actually a remake of a "Yoga Therapy for Fingers, Hands and Wrists" that I put up on Youtube over 10 years ago. It was one of the first videos I did and was in need of some Michael cameraman love and microphone upgrades 🤪

Peace, Megan

If Somatic Yoga is your favorite, join me live for a Somatic Yoga class on Zoom. Classes take place on select Fridays from 4-5:15 Dublin Time. Here is a link...

26/11/2025

So you thought Milo is always napping in our yoga videos? He is overpaid in compliance pellets and always calls the shots. editing genius

08/11/2025

The thoracic spine does not get the love it deserves; it is typically the lower back (5 lumbar vertebra) and the neck (7 cervical vertebra) that ask for our attention. Though it is the least mobile part of our spine, the 12 thoracic vertebra make up the majority of our spinal stability and postural position. Since it is naturally more stable, it is important to work on thoracic mobility. This class does that by starting with remembering to breath to the thoracic cavity. Double up on the benefits - many of the muscles of respiration are also muscles of mobility.

Dear Yoga Friends,The thoracic spine does not get the love it deserves; it is typically the lower back (5 lumbar vertebra) and the neck (7 cervical vertebra)...

08/11/2025

Three of my favorite sounds to hear during yoga practice: rain landing on the metal roof, the popping of a fire and the thumping of a happy lab tail.