Tag: inspiration

When Women Support Each Other, Incredible Things Happen

For me, Monday vibes are all about radiating #MondayInspiration! Start the week off strong with these EMPOWERING words of wisdom about female relationships from my friend Marissa Cohen, a member of our beautiful Philosophie Tribe!  

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RiSE Festival Recap

Rise Festival
RiSE is a traditional lantern festival held in the Mojave Desert. It is an epically beautiful event that elevates hope, ignites dreams, and creates memories you will never forget.

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My Latest Activewear Obsession

These clothes are inspiring and motivate me to want to work out. Sometimes I'll throw them on in the morning when I don't have a specific workout plan but usually when I catch myself in the mirror, I remember to do something active. It's just another way of being prepared. It's also a way of giving yourself a little incentive to stay active and get fit...

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What to Expect During a Philosophie Cleanse

With the approaching season change from Summer to Autumn, it's especially important to physically, emotionally and spiritually shed the skin of the past few months and move into a new phase. A wonderful way to facilitate this change is to do a Philosophie cleanse. 

 

What can I expect during a Philosophie cleanse?

During the cleanse duration (either 5 days or 14 days) you can expect to experience a challenging first 2-3 days. Most of our Philosophie cleansers get headaches between days 1-3. Some only experience them for 1 day and then it goes away. Others may feel it in their body or feel overly lethargic as the toxins are moving out of the system. I call Day 3 the *Magic Day* because this is when you really feel an energetic and physical shift. You feel more energy, more excitement, more focus and notice your skin is glowing and your body feels overall much lighter. Clothes feel looser. If you can get past day 3, you will fly to through the rest.

 

What if I get hungry in between the meals and snacks on the cleanse menu?

No problem! This cleanse is NOT a fast. It's not a deprivation but instead, a SATURATION of nutrients. It's much more important to snack on foods from the cleanse (have another helping of soup/smoothie/salad or have an additional smoothie) rather than feel hungry. That's not the point. We encourage you to eat as much as you want to feel satisfied and to allow the body to recalibrate. By the 3rd day your body will be regulated and only crave what it's truly hungry for nutritionally. 

 

A few extra tips for the Philosophie Cleanse:

  • try and plan your cleanse when you don't have evening plans (i.e. dinner plans, social events)
  • if you do have social events, eat your Philosophie cleanse food/meal BEFORE going and BRING your snack of juice, smoothie or trail mix in your bag so you a can nosh while you're there. If there's a veggie platter or fresh fruit, you can snack on that, too!
  • Make sure you get EXTRA sleep. Go back to sleep in the morning if you have the ability to. Call in sick to work. Take a vacation day if you need it. Take a nap. Your body will be working extremely hard to cleanse the system, so be sure to nurture yourself. 
  • drink half your body weight in ounces EVERY day. This helps accelerate the cleansing process and speeds up the painful first few days ;) 
  • find a friend and do the cleanse together. If you live with someone else, have them do it too or give up something that's difficult for you to watch or be around. If your husband/girlfriend/mom won't do the cleanse with you, have them give up coffee and processed food and sugar for the duration of your cleanse. If you gather 3 friends to do the cleanse with you (co-workers, friends, family, neighbors) you not only get a really amazing discount but you can cook together, have get togethers, support each other!  
  •  
  • join the facebook Philosophie Cleanse group! email us for the invite. 
  • Journal. Stream of consciousness. Do art. anything to let whats going on inside come out. Although eating food appears to mostly be a physical act, it's actually very tied in to our emotional and psychology. Work through what's going on within your heart and mind. Let go of what isn't serving you to allow space for what WILL work. 

Move. Nourish. Believe. Sophie Jaffe- Sporty Sister of the Week

wanted to share this beautiful interview from the lovelies at Move Nourish Believe! If you've never checked out their blog, I highly recommend it!


Sporty Sister Of The Week: Sophie Jaffe

Sophie Jaffe BANNER

Another Friday, another influential Sporty Sister. This week, we would like to introduce to you… Sophie Jaffe from Philosophie. All the way from Sunny California, we have been so honoured to sit down and chat with Sophie. Not only does she live and breathe the Move, Nourish, Believe way of life, but she is a woman of many talents – (throw in being a wife, a mother AND working with various celebs) – this girl is invincible!

Sophie shares with us a little snippet of how she is living her best, most beautiful life.

MNB: Hi Sophie, welcome to our humble MNB! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am firstly, a mama. I have two babes- Kai, 2 1/2 and Leo, 8 months. They are my heart and soul. I am married to a brilliant man who has his doctorate in psychology and is helping the world change the way we look at addiction. I’ve always been a super active person, constantly on the move. Nothing puts me more at peace than playing with healthy, happy food in the kitchen. I’m {overly} optimistic and trusting and would do anything for anyone I love.

MNB: So, word in the blogosphere is you’ve worked with a few big celebrities through your business Philosophie! Tell us more…

Yeah! Word is right! I can’t reveal all the celebrities I’ve worked with but I can peep about a few!

“I worked with George Clooney and Stacy Keibler for over 8 months multiple times a week in George’s home as his personal chef. I did several cleanses for Stacy and 2 for George. They were super sweet and wonderful to me. They LOVE my superfoods!”

I also helped Gerard Butler cleanse on two separate occasions, delivering food to his house each morning and staying to do a private yoga session a few times during the 10 days. It was pretty intense. We did an activity where we stared into each other’s eyes for several minutes (his suggestion) and I must say, as “yogi” as I am, I smiled a few times (breaking code) and it was such a challenge to not burst into tears or laughter. It was such an insane moment in my life.

MNB: As a wife, mother of two AND business woman, how do you manage to stay on top of it all and always perform at your peak?

Without working out, getting sunshine and eating a superfood-dense diet, I absolutely wouldn’t be able to handle it all. It’s all about balance and completely about taking the BEST care of yourself so you can better take care of everyone else. I also couldn’t do half the things I do without a serious support system.

My parents & my sister luckily live locally so they help when they can with the kids and emotionally support everything I do. My friends are there for me to vent and let go with anytime I need, and without my husband I wouldn’t even still be doing Philosophie.

He is the backbone of support, doing all the “behind the scenes” not-so-fun stuff like anything to do with finances and helping me really focus on my goals. We keep each other on track and motivated to be the best people and parents we can possibly be.

MNB: Have you always been passionate about healthy living? What was the ‘uh ha’ moment for you…

When I was a teenager I definitely wasn’t conscious of what it meant to be healthy. When someone else is responsible for grocery shopping and putting food on the table, it makes you very passive. I grew up in a reasonably healthy home and our meals were usually organic and filled with love.

When I moved to LA to live with my dad and attended UCLA, I was walking around a farmers market in Hollywood and had my “aha” moment. I saw a sign that had a baby lamb and some ridiculous verbiage… And from that moment on I went mostly vegan. That lasted 7 years, until I became pregnant with my first son. I began craving & dreaming of eating meat… And I had my second “aha” moment: listen to your body and intuition; don’t put yourself in a box. Ever since then I’ve been focusing on nutrition and superfoods and less about which “box” I put myself in (gluten-free, vegan, etc.).

Sophie Jaffe

MNB: What does a typical day of MNB’ing [Move, Nourish, Believing] look like in your world?

  • Wake up: “believe”- set my intentions for the day. Don’t touch my phone or computer ’til intentions are set & kids are fed and loved.

  • Breakfast: “nourish”- a huge superfood smoothie with Green Dream, Cacao magic, Berry Bliss, or ALL 3, and/or “green eggs” with spinach and green dream. Everything is family sized!

  • After dropping off my son at school: go straight to the gym. No excuses. Best way to start the day–“move”!

  • Then I usually run around nonstop until I pick Kai back up in the early afternoon. Running into the office to ship orders, demo samples at the stores I sell in, meetings, etc. Drink tons of h2o and snack on healthy fuel throughout.

  • I end my day by doing something for my spirit. This could be journaling, going to hear Marianne Williamson speak, a meditation with my hubs, or just saying out loud what I’m grateful for. This is the last thing I do before I hit the bed, and it ensures I have the best night of sleep possible!

MNB: Okay, so if you had to choose…what would be your top 3 ‘can’t live without’ foods of all time!

For sure my Green Dream superfood powder (I keep it in my purse!), raw chocolate & zucchini! I add my Green Dream to EVERYTHING from muffins to smoothies to doughnuts. Raw chocolate keeps me sane (every day) and zucchini is super versatile. It can be grilled in the summer, added to a stir fry dish or sliced thinly into raw “pasta”! I sneak the Green Dream and zucchini into everything for my boys.

SSOTWphilosophie_content4

MNB: What does happiness look like to you?

Happiness to me is giggling uncontrollably, being around those I love, fresh juice and nature. Moving in my body in a free spirited way and being so overwhelmed with joy that I cry happy tears at least once by the end of the day. Happiness is being my truest, best self, being inspired and inspiring and most of all, shedding my light and joy to others so that they can find more light within their own lives.

MNB: What are some healthy snacks we could find stashed in your handbag?

I make my own bars with the superfood blends and my own raw chocolates (all recipes on the blog). So you’ll absolutely find a bar or two and a few chocolates (if I haven’t eaten them all). I usually have fresh fruit too; an apple, banana and clementine (that’s mandarin in Australia) are the easiest to grab and go! Nut butter or a trail mix is an easy thing to keep stashed in my car or purse as well and keeps my energy roaring for hours and hours. Oh and, so much water.

Sophie Jaffe Raw

MNB: Best advice you have ever been given?

When I was 18 my mom taught me that I couldn’t do everything and that saying “no” was one of the most honest and humbling things I could say. It completely changed my life when I realized I had that magic word within me, which would empower me to be that much more powerful.

MNB: What are some of your best-kept beauty secrets?

Honestly, keep it simple. What you eat is really what shows up on your skin. I’m asked multiple times a day what I do/use for my face. I’m lucky if I have time to wash it at the end of the day. If I’m wearing makeup I remove it with a gentle cleanser, use a pad with tea tree oil all over my face, then use some witch hazel (which you can get at the pharmacy ) a few nights a week. I also slather coconut oil on my face where it’s dry. That’s it! Less is more. The less ingredients the better. Don’t over complicate things!

MNB: Any tips or advice you could give to our readers just starting on their healthy, active journey?

Start to keep a food journal. It’s the best way to get back on track when you fall off and the easiest way to get ON a healthy track by being more aware of what you put in your body. Keep it for at least 3 days then see where you can make some changes.

I’d also suggest to do a cleanse for a fresh start. Make sure it’s full of nutrients though so you don’t get hungry, that’s not the point. The point of a cleanse is to saturate your body with nutrients, not deprive it through starvation. If you want a lifestyle shift, I’d suggest my 14 day cleanse so you can learn some new ways to eat, superfood recipes, healthy tips and ideas.

The recipes are easy and approachable for ANYONE, even those who have never cooked before in their life.

Sophie Jaffe Recipe

Thank you Sophie for sharing your passion for food, positivity, love and LIFE!

MNB

Breast Cancer Awareness Month; My Mother’s Experience

Cue the music: “I’m a survivor”


My incredible, inspiring, beautiful mother had a huge battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. This was almost 5 years ago, and one of the most terrifying experiences of our lives. I’ve wanted to share her moving story but I needed time to pass to heal us all from the wounds this wretched disease created.

How “the cancer” developed

She felt a lump under her left breast for about a year. She and my dad both agreed they needed to get it checked out but both were in denial and waited as long as possible to do so. My grandmother just had a stroke so to say the least, it wasn’t exactly a calm time. My mother decided it was her role to take care of my grandparents (my grandfather was trying to figure out how to care for my grandmother, they were both in their 90′s).

She finally went to see a radiologist 2 weeks after her mother passed away. Indeed, it was a tumor and it metastasized and spread to her liver and lymph nodes. We were all floored. We didn’t know what to do. My best friend from childhood died that year as well, so I felt as though my world was falling apart.

Her biggest advice? “Don’t wait until it’s too late to get a screening. There are simple tests you can get at a young age to see if your estrogen levels could lead to tumors in the future. Get screenings and don’t wait to get questionable lumps checked out. Whether you chose to do so or not and take it seriously is up to you, I certainly didn’t.”


An Inspiration

Phyllis A. Koenig-Aaronson is an inspiration to SO many. In her profession, she has worked her way up to the top, being one of the few women in her industry to produce commercials and currently, to own a commercial production company. She has been in the world of creating commercials and film for over 20 years and does a kick-ass job.

Personally, she is a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, step-mother, cousin and friend. She is a joy to be around, creating happiness and joy everywhere she goes. She’s kind hearted, loving and one of the most giving and generous people I’ve ever met. She’s been like this her entire life. I learned to give and not expect anything in return 100% from her and my father. The way they engage with people, every person as if they count, no matter who they are, has always inspired me. From a homeless person on the street to a waitress in a diner, they have always been giving and human to all.

My mom is so strong and beyond brave. She has been through her share of life’s curve balls and took them with ease and grace. She intentionally makes it look easy, and she does a damn good job of it.

Her Perspective in Life: How has it changed? How has it stayed the same?

My mother reported she definitely still “works hard and plays hard”but her relationship with others and how she lets (or doesn’t let) their opinions and issues affect her is with far less gravity. She prioritizes her SELF first, her needs, wants and her families and close friends as well. She has more fun than she did before “the cancer”. She “doesn’t give a damn about anyone who’s burdened with negativity or fear.” She also explained that she has a “reset button that’s set to positive that gets pushed every day.” She works incredibly hard so by the end of the day she’s exhausted. She spends time with my dad for sustenance and by the morning her “happy” reset button has been pushed again.  She has many trips planned for the future, and if the universe decides its time for her to go, she’ll “buy two plane tickets for me and my husband and I’ll fly around the world until they yell at me to get into bed to die. But I’m hoping that won’t happen for a good long time from now, if ever.” She added that she harbors “zero guilt for others who can’t get their lives together. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for them-but I no longer feel responsible. It’s as real as the day is bright. Zero tolerance for those that don’t take responsibility for their own lives. That’s it. It’s simple.”

How her eating habits and relationship with food has changed

Personally, I’ve noticed quite the shift in my mother’s eating habits. Although she always had awareness surrounding healthy food (she was a vegetarian when she was 14 years old, which doesn’t always mean healthy). When she met her first husband (and then again with my dad) they were both meat and potato type of eaters so she cooked like that most of the time leading up to “the cancer”.

When I began learning about raw foods,superfoods, health and nutrition, she was so happy! She felt like she had a partner in (good) crime! During her cancer treatment, she began seeing a famous Chinese Doctor in Santa Monica. He taught her all about relaxation, meditation, but mostly, how to incorporate healthy foods, Chinese Herbs and Superfoods into her diet. Every evening she would drink a special herbal tea meant to heal her body from the inside out. I was so inspired by this that I created the Cacao MagicMushroom superfood blend which includes 3 medicinal mushrooms: ReishiChaga and Cordyceps. These 3 mushrooms have been used for centuries to heal people and are known as “the ultimate herbal substances”. I began to do more research than ever during the time she had cancer to get to know the magical herbs of the world and using them myself.

She said she’s “so happy that you (me- Sophie!) created several healing powder blends you can feed your family a few times a day to get all those super nutrient dense foods in your body to stave off the creepy cancers that lurk in everyone’s bodies. They lurk. They’re there when you’re born. They say it’s only a matter of time before “they” light up. I’d love to see a world where nobody lights up in that way- ever.”

I truly believe that although she did get chemo and radiation, that the healing food (she now gets more vegan food and superfoods into her daily diet than ever before)meditation and mindfulness is what cured her and will KEEP her cured. This shift inmindfulness–knowing the connection of what you put into your body affecting what happens to your body–is everything. We truly are what we eat, what we feel and what we do. And til the day I die, I’d like to be a Yogi Kale Leaf or Goji Berry, please! Right alongside my mother, and soon enough hopefully alongside the rest of our family as they continue to learn more about putting healthy, healing foods into their bodies.
You can read more about my lovely momma in a recent interview with Shoot Magazine

Do you have a loved one that you are remembering this month (alive or no longer) that suffered from “the cancer”? Please share a little something if you’re comfortable. Remembering and sharing is so important!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month & My Mother’s Experience

 

Cue the music: “I’m a survivor”


My incredible, inspiring, beautiful mother had a huge battle with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. This was almost 5 years ago, and one of the most terrifying experiences of our lives. I’ve wanted to share her moving story but I needed time to pass to heal us all from the wounds this wretched disease created.

How “the cancer” developed

She felt a lump under her left breast for about a year. She and my dad both agreed they needed to get it checked out but both were in denial and waited as long as possible to do so. My grandmother just had a stroke so to say the least, it wasn’t exactly a calm time. My mother decided it was her role to take care of my grandparents (my grandfather was trying to figure out how to care for my grandmother, they were both in their 90′s).

She finally went to see a radiologist 2 weeks after her mother passed away. Indeed, it was a tumor and it metastasized and spread to her liver and lymph nodes. We were all floored. We didn’t know what to do. My best friend from childhood died that year as well, so I felt as though my world was falling apart.

Her biggest advice? “Don’t wait until it’s too late to get a screening. There are simple tests you can get at a young age to see if your estrogen levels could lead to tumors in the future. Get screenings and don’t wait to get questionable lumps checked out. Whether you chose to do so or not and take it seriously is up to you, I certainly didn’t.”


An Inspiration

Phyllis A. Koenig-Aaronson is an inspiration to SO many. In her profession, she has worked her way up to the top, being one of the few women in her industry to produce commercials and currently, to own a commercial production company. She has been in the world of creating commercials and film for over 20 years and does a kick-ass job.

Personally, she is a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, step-mother, cousin and friend. She is a joy to be around, creating happiness and joy everywhere she goes. She’s kind hearted, loving and one of the most giving and generous people I’ve ever met. She’s been like this her entire life. I learned to give and not expect anything in return 100% from her and my father. The way they engage with people, every person as if they count, no matter who they are, has always inspired me. From a homeless person on the street to a waitress in a diner, they have always been giving and human to all.

My mom is so strong and beyond brave. She has been through her share of life’s curve balls and took them with ease and grace. She intentionally makes it look easy, and she does a damn good job of it.

Her Perspective in Life: How has it changed? How has it stayed the same?

My mother reported she definitely still “works hard and plays hard”but her relationship with others and how she lets (or doesn’t let) their opinions and issues affect her is with far less gravity. She prioritizes her SELF first, her needs, wants and her families and close friends as well. She has more fun than she did before “the cancer”. She “doesn’t give a damn about anyone who’s burdened with negativity or fear.” She also explained that she has a “reset button that’s set to positive that gets pushed every day.” She works incredibly hard so by the end of the day she’s exhausted. She spends time with my dad for sustenance and by the morning her “happy” reset button has been pushed again.  She has many trips planned for the future, and if the universe decides its time for her to go, she’ll “buy two plane tickets for me and my husband and I’ll fly around the world until they yell at me to get into bed to die. But I’m hoping that won’t happen for a good long time from now, if ever.” She added that she harbors “zero guilt for others who can’t get their lives together. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for them-but I no longer feel responsible. It’s as real as the day is bright. Zero tolerance for those that don’t take responsibility for their own lives. That’s it. It’s simple.”

How her eating habits and relationship with food has changed

Personally, I’ve noticed quite the shift in my mother’s eating habits. Although she always had awareness surrounding healthy food (she was a vegetarian when she was 14 years old, which doesn’t always mean healthy). When she met her first husband (and then again with my dad) they were both meat and potato type of eaters so she cooked like that most of the time leading up to “the cancer”.

When I began learning about raw foods,superfoods, health and nutrition, she was so happy! She felt like she had a partner in (good) crime! During her cancer treatment, she began seeing a famous Chinese Doctor in Santa Monica. He taught her all about relaxation, meditation, but mostly, how to incorporate healthy foods, Chinese Herbs and Superfoods into her diet. Every evening she would drink a special herbal tea meant to heal her body from the inside out. I was so inspired by this that I created the Cacao MagicMushroom superfood blend which includes 3 medicinal mushrooms: ReishiChaga and Cordyceps. These 3 mushrooms have been used for centuries to heal people and are known as “the ultimate herbal substances”. I began to do more research than ever during the time she had cancer to get to know the magical herbs of the world and using them myself.

She said she’s “so happy that you (me- Sophie!) created several healing powder blends you can feed your family a few times a day to get all those super nutrient dense foods in your body to stave off the creepy cancers that lurk in everyone’s bodies. They lurk. They’re there when you’re born. They say it’s only a matter of time before “they” light up. I’d love to see a world where nobody lights up in that way- ever.”

I truly believe that although she did get chemo and radiation, that the healing food (she now gets more vegan food and superfoods into her daily diet than ever before)meditation and mindfulness is what cured her and will KEEP her cured. This shift inmindfulness–knowing the connection of what you put into your body affecting what happens to your body–is everything. We truly are what we eat, what we feel and what we do. And til the day I die, I’d like to be a Yogi Kale Leaf or Goji Berry, please! Right alongside my mother, and soon enough hopefully alongside the rest of our family as they continue to learn more about putting healthy, healing foods into their bodies.
You can read more about my lovely momma in a recent interview with Shoot Magazine

Do you have a loved one that you are remembering this month (alive or no longer) that suffered from “the cancer”? Please share a little something if you’re comfortable. Remembering and sharing is so important!

Lifetime of Yoga: Tamal Dodge

I interviewed Tamal Dodge, owner and founder of YogaCo in Santa Monica, CA. I received my 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training from Tamal. He is teaching this weekend at the Tadasana Festival... definitely be sure to check out one of his classes! Inspirational, loving and fulfilling.

Where are you from? The north shore of Oahu.

When did you start practicing yoga? I started from birth as my family raised us in a donation based yoga ashram.

What did you want to “be” when you grew up? I wanted to be a rock star and I pursued it for a while in my high school years. I was signed to MM Records and toured the country. It was an interesting time.

What is your overall intention when you walk into a yoga room to teach? I want to teach the best class possible. If I feel it was an okay class I feel I some how didnt deliver to the students. That I didn't give them 100%. I want to give them something special every time.

What keeps you balanced? Mediating every day and spare moment.

What throws you off center? Well everyone gets those curve balls in life. The unexpected. But when I find myself in those situations I have to meditate and reset my intention for life. Because usually when you are in distress it's because you wanted something to go your way and it doesn't. So you have to be able to eat humble pie and move on.

Who inspires you? This may sound cliche but its the way I truly feel... 

I am inspired by Buddha, Jesus, Alaha, Arjuna, Ghandi (left)... as they made significant change and didn't care what other people thought. they just wanted to speak "Truth." Not to mention they lived and breathed what they taught. It's inspiring.

What advice do you have for a beginner yoga student? like anything in life the first time you do it your not gonna get it perfect. I encourage students to go slow and do what they can and try to make it fun vs something your trying to get something out of.

What advice do you have for someone who’s practiced for years? The word Yoga means to Yoke or unite with God. So for someone who is practicing the asana for some time would be to take there practice to the next level of yoga. To mediate and start on the process of yoking with the higher being.

what is your favorite yoga pose or series and why? I love A and B series in sun salutes. It's so balanced. If you can only do A and B series in a day that's all you really need!

Do you eat raw food? Yes, I love raw food. I was a raw foodist for 1 year in high school. Now I just eat the yoga diet (i.e. no meat, fish or eggs) lots of greens and and whole grains. Water is my beverage of choice.

What’s your favorite food? (doesn’t have to be healthy!!!!) I love veggie burgers, sweet heart fries and an agave root beer.

Do you have a favorite quote? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Ghandi  These are words to live by.

Lifetime of Yoga: Tamal Dodge

I interviewed Tamal Dodge, owner and founder of YogaCo in Santa Monica, CA. I received my 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training from Tamal. He is teaching this weekend at the Tadasana Festival... definitely be sure to check out one of his classes! Inspirational, loving and fulfilling.

Where are you from? The north shore of Oahu.

When did you start practicing yoga? I started from birth as my family raised us in a donation based yoga ashram.

What did you want to “be” when you grew up? I wanted to be a rock star and I pursued it for a while in my high school years. I was signed to MM Records and toured the country. It was an interesting time.

What is your overall intention when you walk into a yoga room to teach? I want to teach the best class possible. If I feel it was an okay class I feel I some how didnt deliver to the students. That I didn't give them 100%. I want to give them something special every time.

What keeps you balanced? Mediating every day and spare moment.

What throws you off center? Well everyone gets those curve balls in life. The unexpected. But when I find myself in those situations I have to meditate and reset my intention for life. Because usually when you are in distress it's because you wanted something to go your way and it doesn't. So you have to be able to eat humble pie and move on.

Who inspires you? This may sound cliche but its the way I truly feel...

I am inspired by Buddha, Jesus, Alaha, Arjuna, Ghandi (left)... as they made significant change and didn't care what other people thought. they just wanted to speak "Truth." Not to mention they lived and breathed what they taught. It's inspiring.

What advice do you have for a beginner yoga student? like anything in life the first time you do it your not gonna get it perfect. I encourage students to go slow and do what they can and try to make it fun vs something your trying to get something out of.

What advice do you have for someone who’s practiced for years? The word Yoga means to Yoke or unite with God. So for someone who is practicing the asana for some time would be to take there practice to the next level of yoga. To mediate and start on the process of yoking with the higher being.

what is your favorite yoga pose or series and why? I love A and B series in sun salutes. It's so balanced. If you can only do A and B series in a day that's all you really need!

Do you eat raw food? Yes, I love raw food. I was a raw foodist for 1 year in high school. Now I just eat the yoga diet (i.e. no meat, fish or eggs) lots of greens and and whole grains. Water is my beverage of choice.

What’s your favorite food? (doesn’t have to be healthy!!!!) I love veggie burgers, sweet heart fries and an agave root beer.

Do you have a favorite quote? "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Ghandi  These are words to live by.

My bible: words to live by

My Bible: Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements

I've had this book, The Four Agreements, for over 10 years now. I've given it to every person I love to read- either the physical copy or suggesting them to go buy it for themselves. If everyone had a copy in their bedside table (like I do, my bible!) I think the world would be a prettier, nicer, more mindful, kind place to exist. I have a small mini copy I keep in my car for quick reminders when I get discouraged. It's a beautiful, simple read and I highly suggest it for anyone and everyone.

Here they are! The Four Agreements:

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best:
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret."

-- Don Miguel Ruiz in The Four Agreements

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