Breathwork with Samantha Story

With it with Leah Moon features healers, entrepreneurs, creative folks, heart centered humans, and magical thinkers — i.e. people who are WITH IT — that I adore, with you, who I also adore! In each interview, we go through the same 8 quick (but big) questions. I am consistently moved and inspired by the answers that are shared.

Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to Samantha Story, MS, L.Ac. who is an acupuncturist and breathwork facilitator.

Samantha Story, in a nutshell, what are you up to on this earth walk?

Personal growth. I’ve been working at this since I was a little girl and I think it’s the territory I thrive in. I’m not so interested in getting to a place and just getting comfortable, I want to keep peeling the onion.

Do you have a morning routine you can share?

Tea and tarot start my mornings. I like to take a little time to sit, be still and listen as once my day gets started it’s usually pretty non stop.

What’s your flavor of spirituality or spiritual practice?

Recognizing and connecting with the animate nature of all things is important for me in feeling connected to a higher power. There isn’t a lot of nature in NYC, but talking to plants, animals and stones reminds me that I am part of this world. There’s more depth and majesty in life when we as humans put ourselves in the mix of nature instead of at the top. As a practice, surrender has been the tool that has made space for possibility, for what lives outside of my fears and ambitions. If I can surrender the dominant mind then there’s space for magic. Some of the key spiritual practices in my life for this are service, breathwork, and meditation.

How do you take care of your body and mind?

For me it’s very important as a space holder to have others hold space for me. I get acupuncture, reiki, massage and other kinds of body work to keep me from burning out and to keep me on the path. I’m currently doing a daily breathwork practice, it feels like the way bears immediately shake off trauma til it’s out of their body, it’s been a tremendous daily practice in a stressful period of my life.

What’s the best thing you did for your business last year?

Last year I started facilitating breathwork groups and that is the best thing I did for my business, mainly because it feels so aligned and rewarding for me personally. The other thing I would say was continuing to invest in trainings and personal growth. I have my own work to do, just as my patients have their work.

What are you most excited to share with the world this year?

Breathwork! It’s been the most emotionally transformative modality I’ve ever experienced. In the past two years since I first attended a breathwork group my life has opened up in so many ways, I feel so much more aligned with my truth, power and intuition. It’s the practice that has both healed trauma and allowed me to love more deeply. It’s really an honor that I get to share this practice and I’m looking forward to offering virtual sessions soon.

Do you have a current play on repeat song?

“Black Snakes” by Mariee Sioux and the whole new Lizzo album

A prayer / mantra / affirmation / saying you’re working with right now?

soften, open

Samantha Story MS, L.Ac. is an acupuncturist and breathwork facilitator
samanthastory.com | @samantha_story_acupuncture

Photographer: Melodee Solomon