My Story
Hi! I'm Marissa Munn (they/she), a warm and heart-centered meditation teacher and mindfulness coach. I’m so happy to connect with you. Here’s a bit about my journey so far…
As a young adult, like many, I mostly followed what was expected of me—I got good grades, dated "nice" boys, and went to prestigious schools. While making others proud, I felt anxious, stuck in my head, and plagued by a cruel inner critic. In 2003, I took my first yoga class and instantly felt lighter and calmer—a momentary relief. But life got busy. I graduated, started working, and told myself I didn’t have the time, money, or self-worth to continue yoga. I ended up in jobs where I prioritized others’ well-being while neglecting my own, eventually becoming chronically ill.
Doctors couldn’t find the cause until one said, “Maybe this is where your body holds stress. You should try yoga or meditation.” I felt invalidated and ignored the advice.
In my early 30s, while riding the subway, I had a life-changing thought:
“I can be happy.”
Really? I can be happy? I didn’t know, but the thought sparked hope. Yoga found me again a few years later, easing my illness. Yet I still felt trapped, stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, stressful jobs, and unfulfilling relationships.
In 2014, I discovered meditation and read Bhante Henepola Gunaratana’s Mindfulness in Plain English. Its profound teaching—I can be kind to myself—transformed me. For the first time, I felt like I was on a path toward self-compassion and happiness.
Since then, my journey has been an ongoing adventure of cultivating presence, patience, and clarity. I’ve reexamined every part of my life—my relationships, work, gender, and sexuality. I quit my job, came out as queer, moved across the country, and started trusting my intuition. I don’t have it all figured out, but I’ve learned to let my heart guide me. This path is not always easy, but it’s always beautiful and ever-evolving.
My journey inspired me to share what I’ve learned. As a queer, gender-fluid white person, I’m deeply committed to social justice and collective liberation. I lead mindfulness-based programs on racial justice, supporting others to explore their inner worlds and live with more clarity, ease, and love.
I grew up in Queens, NY, and now live in Berkeley, CA, on unceded Ohlone land, where I enjoy painting, collaging, dancing, hiking, and singing to the trees.
Credentials + Experience
Over 400 hours of meditation and yoga teacher training for youth and adults, including trauma-informed teaching, with The Nalanda Institute, The Interdependence Project, Little Flower Yoga, and Bend + Bloom Yoga
Certified Professional Coach with the Academy of Creative Coaching
Trainings in somatics, expressive arts, Internal Family Systems, nonviolent communication, active listening, and shadow work
Anti-racist training with Embodied Equity Project, White Awake, Race Forward, and Education for Racial Equity; Ongoing White Anti-racist Affinity Group
20+ years of experience in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and facilitation
Graduate degree in Education, Culture, and Society