Could your office or home be stressing you out? “Yes!” says Marie Elena Rigo, Feng Shui expert, interior designer and personal growth coach. In her practical, eye-opening talks, Marie Elena, owner of MER Life Design, explains how your environment has a physiological, psychological and emotional impact on health, relationships and finances. In fact, if you are having trouble concentrating, feeling unmotivated or even experiencing health challenges, your space may be to blame.

Why? Because everything in our space has a message for us. So, whether it’s de-cluttering, arranging furniture to maximize energy flow and decrease stress, using mirrors to open up a room or eliminate fight-or-flight response, working with colors, shapes and fabrics for balance, or adding plants or artwork to enhance an area of your home or office, Marie Elena offers real solutions to help you create peaceful, life-affirming surroundings. Her simple tools and techniques will powerfully transform your outer – and inner – space. You’ll leave this inspiring, interactive talk with a new perspective on how your environment impacts productivity, health and well-being.

Presentations include:

Most requested
Embrace Your Space: Optimizing Your Environment for Productivity, Success and Peace of Mind

Whether at work or at home, your environment plays a critical role in your well-being. By implementing key design principles based on Feng Shui, you’ll create a more positive flow of energy in your home, office and life. Learn simple and effective tips for clearing clutter, reducing stress, maintaining clarity and focus – and creating nurturing and supportive surroundings in which to work and live.

Creating a Zen-Like Office: Three Simple Steps to Inner & Outer Peace

Did you know that your environment not only has a physiological impact on you – but an emotional and psychological one as well? Explore how to apply the principles of Zen Buddhism to many aspects of your life – including your surroundings. This workshop will give you techniques that help you find inner peace by creating a Zen-like space in both home and office.

Making Self-Care a Priority: Nurturing Techniques for Your Mind, Body & Spirit


Self-care is one of the most important tools in our lives.  When we are healthy, balanced and well on all levels, things just flow.  And, when challenges arise, we are more equipped to handle them.  When we fail to take care of ourselves, everything becomes more difficult and we are significantly less effective and productive.  This program imparts wisdom and inspiration to make self care a priority.  Participants will learn what it is, why it matters and how to develop and maintain positive habits that will reduce stress, increase fulfillment and optimize well-being.
 


Living Consciously:  Easy Meditation & Mindfulness Techniques for the Working Professional


Life can be hectic and frenetic.  And, at times, our thoughts can overwhelm us.  This makes it challenging to stay centered or focused on any one thing – and can impact our well-being. Mindfulness and other meditation exercises are a powerful way to create a balanced, focused and peaceful state of mind anywhere, anytime.  In this session, you will learn how to be in the present moment, clear the mind, reduce stress, calm the nervous system, and relax and rejuvenate the body.

The Balancing Act:  Maximizing Office Productivity & Personal Fulfillment

Sometimes life can feel out of balance - especially when work demands are high.  By addressing the physiological, emotional and psychological impact our surroundings have on us - and improving it, we can optimize our workplace for productivity and success.  Similarly, when we combine basic mindfulness and meditation techniques with the power of intention and positive thinking, we can create more equanimity, efficacy and personalfulfillment in our lives.  During this two-part workshop, you'll learn practical tools, tips and techniques to clear clutter, arrange furnishings, quiet your mind, reduce stress and maintain a positive outlook - and create balance inside and out. 

Everyday Feng Shui:  Enhance Your Home & Your Life
Want your home to look and feel better? This interactive workshop provides practical and professional tips to create a nurturing and supportive environment.  In addition to learning about the basic principles of Feng Shui including:  “Chi” or Energy, the Five Elements, the Command Position, and more, you will discover simple clutter clearing techniques and interior design solutions for different rooms in your home.      

Marie Elena Rigo, M.A., combines her personal growth expertise, technical training in Feng Shui and spatial awareness skills to create balance and harmony in homes, offices, and lives. As president of LA-based MER Life Design, she offers residential and commercial Feng Shui, interior design, personal coaching, and customized workshops for organizations. Marie Elena teaches classes for major corporations, including Amtrak, The Disney Store, Procter and Gamble, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman.  She’s been a featured presenter at the Society for Women Engineer’s Professional Development Conference, the Mind, Body & Beyond and the Conscious Life Expos in LA, the Agape International Spiritual Center and Gilda's Club Worldwide Annual Affiliates Conference.

A dynamic speaker, instructor and entrepreneur, Marie Elena has been featured on The Fine Living Network, World Talk Radio, KFWB CBS Radio and in Redbook magazine and Yogi Times. She has filmed more than a dozen broadcast spots, including TV pilots for A&E and HGTV and also appeared as a life coach/expert for “What I Hate About Me” on E! Entertainment’s Style Network.  The inspirational story of how she changed her own life and career continues to run on the Fine Living Network’s Radical Sabbatical since its original air date in 2005. She’s also featured in the recently published and acclaimed book, Escape from Corporate America. http://blog.escapefromcorporate.com/corporate-escape-artists  Marie Elena holds a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology and resides in Santa Monica, CA.

What people are saying:

Thank you so much for being a featured speaker at our Professional Development Conference.  You provided great tips applicable in both professional and home environments. It’s clear that you connected with the audience – as I received very positive feedback about your presentation.  It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and I will definitely recommend you to other organizations and employers.

- Trish Cabrera, Programs Chair, Society of Women Engineers – Orange County Section
______

It was such a pleasure having you as a guest speaker at our Friendly Hills Women's Club. I've already heard many positive comments regarding your discussion. I would recommend you to anyone looking for an entertaining, purposeful speaker.

- Robin Fox, Program Coordinator, Friendly Hills Women’s Club, Whittier, CA

______

Thank you for a most successful program with participants exuding enthusiasm about every aspect of your presentation! People continue to call this morning to ask for your name.

- Sybil Blazej-Yee, Adult Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library, Wilshire Branch

______

Marie Elena's talks are enlivening and educational. Whether on Feng Shui, personal growth, or office productivity, she combines her warmth, professionalism, and passion to inspire and motivate any audience. Participants will leave with tangible tools to streamline their lives, home, and work.

-- Rebecca Underwood, Associate Curator, The Sculpture Foundation
______

Additional audio/video clips at: http://www.merlifedesign.com/tv.htm