Aaniin. Ariana nindizhnikaaz.
Aaniin. Ariana nindizhnikaaz.
Real life begins when you connect with Mother Earth.
When your feet are in the soil, your hands are full of fresh berries, and your body is nourished by foods that begin in the ground.
My approach in my work—whether that work is breathwork, coaching, or facilitating—is guided by nature.
Nature is cyclical. Colonial ways of being ask for linear models of growth & change, however our true blueprint is one that ebbs and flows with the internal + external seasons.
Nature trusts in right timing. The modern world of personal development promotes shortened timelines and a "make shit happen" attitude. A regenerative way forward asks us to embody patience and trust.
Nature embraces rest. Our current system of profit-at-all-costs capitalism asks for 100% output 100% of the time, but one look at the trees in the dead of winter will show you the periods of rest + integration that are required for rejuvenation.
Nature collaborates. Everything in the ecosystem works together for the good of the whole. When a certain Being becomes displaced, the entire ecosystem becomes disrupted. *You* are an integral part of the ecosystem.
Nature does not dictate. Our non-human Kin do not decide what's best for one another. Each Being holds their own innate wisdom that guides how they contribute to + interact within the ecosystem. You are your own best Guide; there is no other individual, course, program, or book who knows what's best for you better than you do.
May we return to nature. May we all remember the roles we're here to play in the ecosystem and to feel free to fulfill those roles in the ways that are most authentic to us. May we appreciate slowness. May we embody titration. May we respect ourselves. May we respect our great Mother.
Since 2013, I’ve been helping people reconnect to themselves.
What started as a personal training business fuelled by a desire to be of service & a deep sense of gratitude for how fitness carried me through my first year of sobriety has taken on many iterations in the past decade.
Life coaching, business coaching, spiritual healing. In-person workshops, community events, online courses, freelance writing, consulting, and more.
While on the outside it may look as though I often change what I do, on the inside I know I am simply following the whispers of my spirit. As I grow and evolve, the ways in which I’m meant to share my medicine also grows and evolves.
I’ve had my fair share of existential crises and painful experiences to navigate—healing from a decade of substance abuse and the ongoing colonial impacts of residential “schools” and sixties scoop has had me falling back on the very same tools I support others with many a time.
And while I’ve had a number of breakdowns that left me crying on the floor wondering if any of it was worth it (dramatic, I know), I’ve also been amazed by how resourceful and resilient I—WE—can be.
I can’t help but laugh these days at the breakthroughs that inevitably occur shortly after the breakdowns. It’s a notion that helps me maintain some level of groundedness as I witness and try to navigate the current state of our world. I’m consistently reminded that our internal world can be a mirror of our external world, and vice versa.
I also know that when we’re willing to combine the inner work with the outer work, to trust in our own divine brilliance, and to surrender control to the greater energetic forces at play, that we can create a future that’s brighter for all.
this is me
I’m a mixed heritage woman, with my ancestors on my mother’s side hailing from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, and my ancestors on my father’s side hailing from Methoni in Greece. I’m proud to be reclaiming my Indigenous roots after centuries of attempted erasure and am committed to decolonizing myself and my work.
I’m a Mama, something I have found more purpose & meaning in than I could have ever imagined. I’m in a never-ending dance of finding the harmony between motherhood & entrepreneurship.
I’m a tree hugger, constantly amazed by Mama Nature and her beauty. I love nothing more than an icy-cold ocean dip and tending to my garden is sweet sweet medicine for my soul. While I’m a newbie at this whole homesteading thing, my intention is to support the growing food sovereignty movement by providing my family and community with accessible and organic eggs and produce cultivated with love.
I’m a dynamic being, one that can’t be packaged into a neat and tidy colonial box. So welcome to my world – a collection of contradictions that appear to make no sense, but damnit, do they ever feel right. I’m happy you’re here.
Certificated Breathwork Facilitator - Breathwave Levels 1, 2, and 3. 2019-2020
Earth Medicine Practitioner Apprenticeship - Melanie O’Leary. 2020-2021
Trauma of Money Facilitator - The Trauma of Money Method. 2020
Integrative Wellness and Life Coach - Integrative Wellness Academy. 2016-2017
Personal Trainer - British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association. 2013.
How Choosing a Flavour of Gelato is Like Getting in Shape: Huffington Post, 2016
The Ugly Side of Self Care: Huffington Post, 2016
Why Perfectionists Should Pursue Mediocrity: elephant journal, 2017
Get Fit and Have Fun at Health Crawl 2.0: A feature about one of my events in BC Living Magazine, 2018
The Importance of Slowing Down: Small Steps Podcast, 2019
Best Meditation Tips to Calm Your Mind: Coach Me Podcast, 2019
An Assortment of Articles About Building a Fitness Business: Trainerize Blog, 2016-2021
How a Fitness Trainer and Business Coach Uses CBD Oil: Interview with Nadya Pecherskaya, founder of Icaria, 2020
Energy and Mindset Work for Success with Business Coach Ariana Fotinakis: Newly Nutrition Podcast, 2020
Syncing Your Work with Your Cycle: Standout CEO Podcast, 2020
What the Heck is Breathwork and How Can it Change Your Mental and Hormonal Health? Holistically Awakened Podcast, 2020
Optimism vs Toxic Positivity - Here’s How to Know the Difference: Guest expert piece for Slice.ca, 2020
Breathwork Playlists We Love: Head Plus Heart Feature, 2021
5 Unique Ways to Work with a Life or Business Coach: Head Plus Heart Feature, 2021
Expanding Our Minds with Ariana Fotinakis: Let’s Grow Together Podcast, 2021
Ariana Fotinakis on Finding a Deeper Connection Within Ourself to Expand and Align in Business: Newly Nutrition Podcast, 2021
Breathwork for Preconception and Beyond: Interview with Below the Bump Coach, 2022
Spiritual Entrepreneurship: Tools to Align with Your Dreams: Guest article in Head Plus Heart, 2022
Starting a Solo Side Hustle: Feature in The Daily Hive, 2022
This workshop met every participant where they were in their reconciliation journey. Some of the content is difficult on multiple levels, but the absolutely solid facilitation skills made it accessible. My own personal health and wellness as well as my concrete action plan for Reconciliation is invaluable. Best investment of personal development time ever. Period.
- Amber Shaw, Lecturer, UBC
Ariana is an amazing teacher. Our employees found the breathwork session super informative, easy to follow along and really enjoyed Ariana’s methods of teaching. It was clear and approachable. We look forward to using the breathing techniques to assists us to be in the now!
- Courtnee Beasely, Manager, Talent & Recruiting at Digitas North America
I waited patiently, and told myself the right mentor would come along, and she did. Working with Ariana in her mentorship container was exceptional. The way we moved through the information but followed with breathwork was beautiful. It really allowed me to feel the impact of what I was learning and deepen my understanding. Ariana holds a safe and grounding space, allowing you to share exactly what’s present for you in that moment. We had a session, where I shared an experience I was having, that wasn’t related to the mentorship (but I was in some divine way), and she didn’t redirect me, she held compassionate space and lead me to so much clarity. The knowledge that Ariana holds about breathwork, trauma informed space holding, business, the body, is honestly awe inspiring. I walked away from the container not only with so much more knowledge on how to lead my own clients through breathwork with different techniques and practices, but also with a feeling of expansion and next level confidence. The way I hold myself and create in my business has transformed, and this space was the catalyst. Thank you beautiful Ariana, grateful we crossed paths and the perfect time.
- Natalie Carranceja, Emotions Coach and Breathwork Facilitator
The 5D Business Academy & working with Ariana has given me the opportunity to truly tap into the essence of myself as a counsellor and an entrepreneur. I have tried many different business courses and always felt like I was trying to fit myself into a box. With the 5D Business Academy course work & Ariana's guidance, I learned how to expand my business to fit me. I now feel excited and free in my expression as an entrepreneur and am in alignment with my business and how I show up in the world.
- Juliana Herlaar, Therapeutic Counsellor, Inner Wisdom Wellness
Working with Ariana helped me breakthrough old beliefs I have been holding onto about what I thought mattered in business and what really matters. For so long, I was doing what the people told me I should or needed to do, even when it did not sit right with me. By going through her program, I was able to find a way to run a business my way and still see success while creating deeper connections with my clients. My favorite part of the program was learning more about trauma-informed marketing and how often we do not realize the full impact of our actions and words. Working with Ariana helped me understand the messy middle of having both strength and compassion as a business owner.
- Tiffany Gustafson, Health Coach
I just had a breathwork session with Ariana and let me tell you, what a wild experience it opened up for me! If you haven’t had one I recommend you try it. It exceeded my expectations, Ariana is the right person to do this work. Thank you
- Camelia Wilkinson, Registered Massage Therapist
Probably the decision I’ve ever made for my biz!
I can’t believe it’s been already 10 months that I’ve been working with Ariana and I’ll definitely continue having her on my side as I keep growing my biz. She helped me to grow SO much personally and professionally.
I’ve learned how to be my authentic self, while coaching my clients and serving my community, and I've been able to push myself beyond what I thought possible in less than a year. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have Ariana as my coach. I highly recommend working with her <3
- Hedi Shah, Movement Coach
Investing in Ariana is well worth it! Ariana is both professional and relatable, her passion shines through in the work that she does. I have worked with Ariana for business coaching over the past year and have found it incredibly beneficial.
- Andrea Zimmering, Holistic Nutritionist and Emotional Eating Coach
I came to see Ariana for business coaching for my alternative healing practice. I needed more clarity and direction around my messaging and my marketing, especially as I was in a bit of a transition point in my practice. I really wanted some extra support during that time, and wow did she ever deliver! Ariana was able to hone in on what I was struggling with (that I didn't even realize) and helped provide me with step by step solutions so I didn't feel overwhelmed making the changes that I needed too.
Ariana is both grounded and extremely intuitive, she can tune into an extra level of insight that gives someone who has a soul-centered business the full spectrum of wisdom...from the practical tools to the more energetic levels. Plus she totally gets the unique challenges that a highly sensitive and intuitive practitioner goes through when it comes to business (like not wanting to ever feel sales-y!!) which helps a lot. I love our work together!! If you want to seriously move your business forward in a way that feels nourishing and totally do-able, I highly recommend getting coaching from Ariana
- Lisa Matthews, Craniosacral Therapist and Coach for HSPs
Ariana was such a gentle and compassionate facilitator. I felt nervous going into the session but she was really able to explain what was going to happen as well as ease my mind.
During the session, she was able to say certain things that allowed me to relax and calm my mind even more and I was so shocked when it was over. Breathwork is something I have resisted for a long time, but I knew and felt safe with Ariana which made a world of difference. My experience was really blissful. I felt a shift within myself just after the 75 minutes. I am so grateful that I was able to experience this medicine and that Ariana was the facilitator, would 10/10 recommend.
- Courtney Burns, Intuitive Astrologer