My Story

Said…nearly Everyone that first starts this journey.

Even me.

Those very words came out of my mouth once. But I’ll tell you what, it’s not only possible to feel inner peace, it’s actually your natural state!

I get goosebumps and the little hairs on my arms raise the moment I see someone experience the true essence of meditation. When they finally feel the connection, oneness, and blissful state they’ve always heard about.

When joy bubbles up in their body, energy flows through their limbs and spaciousness occurs between thoughts as they drop into a deep bliss state.

And no – It’s not just reserved for monks or instagram yogis, and you don’t need a cave in the Himalayas to find it….and you certainly don’t need to shave your head, sit Indian style for hours on end, give up sex, chocolate and all your material possessions or reach a state of “enlightenment” to experience this!

The simple fact is- Meditation is possible for everyone. No matter your body type, age, background, religion, beliefs or capabilities.

And yet I completely understand why it feels so tough to do and stick with. Why it feels like your mind is racing and you'd rather be doing something else, or like you’re doing it all wrong.

Why? Because we’ve been conditioned by society, plenty of gurus and well-meaning teachers to make our mind the enemy. We've believed meditation will fix us or give us something magical we don't have. We feel we have to reach a certain level or attain advanced poses or a thoughtless mind in order to be a "real" practitioner.

We’ve tried to strain uncomfortably into the misconception of what we think meditation “should” look like, instead of exploring it like a personal relationship to life that’s unique and individual to each of us.

I’m introducing a radical approach to meditation, one that will liberate you to experience the bliss, without all the hype and unrealistic hoops to jump through.

The irony is – this instinctual approach to meditation isn’t new. Humans have been doing it this way successfully for thousands of years.

So, if you’ve tried meditation before and it felt rigid, laborious or downright impossible. If you’ve been frustrated by racing thoughts or you feel like you just couldn’t make it work...then it’s time to try a new approach. No more going to war with yourself, like I once did...

A little Tidbit about me...

I used to suffer with overwhelm, anxiety and depression.

I was working in the tech industry, selling advertising for Microsoft. It looked glamorous on paper...working on the Xbox team and living the "high life". But once my career was established, I  saw the reality - that I pushed myself to fit into a life I didn’t want for me.

Actually, killing myself over it.

I was getting sick all the time. I looked for peace in material things, reading self-help books like nobody's business, attending parties, losing myself in co-dependent relationships, even dabbling in the occasional drugs. But I only generated a fleeting sense of pleasure from it all that quickly faded into depression.

I was unhappy with my life, exhausted after each 12 hour workday and barely able to muster the energy to do it over again. I had no clue where to find my purpose, or the joy and fulfillment I longed for.

It took me to my knees.

I finally said, “enough”.. And with the support of a friend and nothing to lose, I dragged myself into a yoga and meditation studio. That day began a soul journey that led me to study with some of the world’s most revolutionary teachers.  

And my life hasn’t been the same since.

I still had the same relationship, job, apartment and childhood traumas. I still had the same demands…but something radical occurred…

As I explored a daily practice that was customized for me and my lifestyle,, my perceptions started to shift…

I started to love myself and my life.

I started attracting loving relationships!

Feeling grounded, centered, at peace.

Suddenly, my outer circumstances didn’t cast the same burdens they once did, and my eyes became open to the reality that I was already in perfect harmony with nature itself.

I realized I was EMPOWERED in every moment to feel happy, whole and free.

And so are you my friend.

I’d love to show you how.

Want to explore what this could mean for you? Read powerful stories from people who’ve worked with me here.

LET’S GET STARTED!

Leah Santa Cruz is a Meditation Teacher who helps entrepreneurs, working parents, artists and busy professionals improve their mood, sleep, stress levels and focus.

Her background started in neuroscience, psychology followed by a decade working in fast-paced careers for Microsoft and tech startups. After experiencing burnout and anxiety in the corporate world, meditation became her path to healing.  

Leah’s now the Meditation Coach on the award-winning, Balance Meditation App - awarded Google’s “App of the Year 2021” and Forbes’ “Best New Meditation App of 2022”. She’s also the co-host of the Well Balanced podcast.

With a nurturing demeanor that's grounded in science, Leah makes meditation accessible. Her techniques help millions of people worldwide to strip away years of stress, restore their energy and zest for life, and strengthen their relationships to themselves and others. She’s taught at studios and corporations in 9 countries including at Unplug in Los Angeles and at The Yoga Barn in Bali, Indonesia, where she currently lives with her husband and son. 

Leah is a Certified 500-RYT Yoga Teacher, 200-RYT Meditation Teacher and Level II Reiki Practitioner, having studied under Master Teachers: Dr. Lorin Roche, Mark Whitwell, Camille Maurine, Steve Ross, Paul Teodo, Byron De Marse and Emily Kuser. She’s completed immersion trainings with Google's 'Search Inside Yourself Institute’, and Journey Mindfulness Meditation.