Emana Soul in Community

We are Emana Body Mind Soul Ltd, a newly formed social enterprise co-founded by Ana Paula Pereira Esteves Rangel and Luana Gonçalves Paixão Milicevic, two women deeply committed to supporting community wellbeing in Aotearoa. Our kaupapa is to create safe, accessible, and inclusive spaces for mental, emotional, and spiritual healing through meditation, integrative therapies, and evidence-based practices.

For the past three years, we have immersed ourselves in practice, training, and facilitation - developing meditation techniques, family constellation work, energy healing modalities, and women’s circles. These lived experiences and studies have shaped our approach: blending scientific research, traditional wisdom, and holistic practices to meet the needs of our communities today.

Why meditation?
Meditation is no longer seen only as a spiritual tool; it is now recognised as a clinically supported intervention with measurable benefits. Decades of international research confirm that consistent practice can:
Reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels and building resilience.
Improve memory, focus, and emotional regulation through increased brain plasticity.
Support sleep, cardiovascular health, and immune function.
Offer low-cost, non-pharmacological relief for chronic pain.
Enhance empathy and social connection, while slowing cognitive ageing.
In short, meditation is a high-impact, low-cost, preventative mental health tool. It is both a deeply personal practice and a powerful public health intervention.

Our focus at Emana Soul is to bring these benefits into community settings, particularly for:
Postpartum women, supporting their transition into motherhood.
Low-income youth, building resilience, focus, and confidence.
Healthcare workers, who carry the weight of frontline stress.
Older adults, strengthening cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
Underserved groups, including Pacific communities, through culturally respectful approaches.

We plan to deliver this kaupapa through:
Community-based workshops and guided group sessions.
Accessible digital tools for ongoing practice.
Outreach programmes in schools, health organisations, and community hubs.
Research and evaluation to ensure measurable impact.
Scholarships and free access for those facing financial hardship.

Our story:
Ana and Luana both come from diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds, and together we have walked our own healing journeys. Emana Soul was born from the recognition that healing is not a luxury, it is a necessity - and that the simple act of presence, breath, and connection can transform lives.
We are inspired by global initiatives like the Holistic Life Foundation in Baltimore and the MindUP curriculum in schools worldwide, which have shown how meditation can reduce conflict, improve attendance, and empower youth in underserved communities. Our goal is to adapt and localise these proven models for Aotearoa, bringing healing and resilience into the lives of those who need it most.

Our request:
With support, we will be able to strengthen our programme development, fund community outreach, cover venues and materials, provide free access for vulnerable groups, and continue evaluation and research.

Ultimately, our vision is to create a sustainable, community-based model of healing that bridges science and spirit, structure and heart, so that every person, regardless of background, has the tools to live with balance, integrity, and wholeness.