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LIFE: 27 Before 28

March 7, 2016 Alexandra Pettinato

Good morning!  

Today is a special Monday, because guess what - it's my birthday!  Yes, friends, today, Monday March 7, 2016, I turn 27 years old.

I'm feeling pretty good today.  We took an impromptu trip to YYZ (even though I am sick), and I got to spend the weekend with my family and friends, which has been really special.  We have plans to move to California this summer, so this is probably the last birthday I will get to spend at home for awhile. It just feels really nice to be here, in this moment, surrounded by so much love.  

Each year (for the past few years) around my birthday, I make a list of things I would like to accomplish / do in the coming months.  It's a fun way to achieve short term goals, and make sure that I continue to work towards manifesting my vision.  

Do you do something similar?  I would love to hear about it!

I'm happy to report that upon reviewing my list from last year, I have accomplished, and sometimes even exceeded the majority of my goals.  This makes me ecstatic.  While I fell short in some areas (I still can't do a handstand), I surpassed my wildest expectations in others (I completed my Yoga Teacher Training rather than just saving up for it).  Life is a little funny that way I guess.

Looking back on 26, I can't even believe all that happened.  I underwent the grueling process of immigration, and survived, and came out the other side.  I covered up a tattoo that stopped making me happy.  I got another beautiful tattoo that makes me smile every time I see it.  I officially became a resident of the United States of America.  I became a yoga teacher.  I made friends.  I wrote a lot.  I took 365 photographs.  I was the subject of several photo shoots.  I had my work featured by some of my favorite brands.  I traveled all over - from remote beaches in Brazil, to Venice Beach in California.  I put my toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  I even flew first class (by accident)!  I learned so much more about who I am, what I want to do, and the world that we live in.  I created space.  I was able to connect and talk and meet with so many wonderful people.

I know 27 will be full of so much love + hope + fun.

Without further adieu, here is my 27 Before 28 list: 

1) Move to Los Angeles, California.

2) Create + organize my own studio space (again).

3) Buy a bicycle and ride it! Note - said bike will be adorable, and teal and have a basket.

4) Practice yoga, every damn day.

5) Eat mindfully. More organic and/or local veggies, fruits and whole grains.  Less meat and dairy.

6) Start a skincare regimen.

7) Buy a car. 

8) Continue learning to speak Portuguese.

9) Find my voice as a yoga teacher, and run my own classes, on my own terms.

10) Run a mala making workshop.

11) Visit Austin, TX.

12) Continue to find work that challenges and inspires me.

13) Stop drinking soda pop.

14) Make time every day for health, wellness and self-care.

15) Go on a yoga retreat.

16) Sell my prints + shirts + designs online.

17) Build strength and work on building my arm balance practice.

18) Hang more photos in our home.

19) Take another yoga teacher training (kids yoga, yoga for teens, SUP yoga, 300 hour... I'm not sure yet).

20) Turn our bedroom into a relaxing oasis.  Make sure everything has it's own space.

21) Write, write, write, write.

22) Fill our home with plants, and somehow manage to keep them alive.

23) Go to Joshua Tree National Park.

24) Buy a SUP board, and take it out on the water (often).  

25) See more live music (as in, go to as many shows as I did when I was 19).

26) Do more of what makes me happy, and let go of what does not.

27) Continue to choose love over fear, each and every day.

 

Peace, love + birthday cake,

Alex

In LIFE Tags GOALS, BIRTHDAY, 27 BEFORE 28, LIFE, 27, YOGA, YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, YOGA PRACTICE, WELLNESS, LOVE, TRAVEL, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
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YOGA + MEDITATION: Meditation Tips for Beginners

February 18, 2016 Alexandra Pettinato

"The thing about meditation is, you become more and more you."

The practice of meditation once seemed impossible to me, however, it has become an integral part of who I am today.  I've always been a person with a million ideas running through my head at once, and the idea of quieting my mind for long periods of time felt scary and foreign.  I realize now, that fear was likely a reaction to being uncomfortable sitting with myself.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety throughout their lifetime, yoga, meditation and breathwork exercises have helped me to create much needed balance in my life, and allowed me to access inner peace.

I'm here to share a few tips today if you are looking to begin your own meditation practice.

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  1. Start small.

    Make meditation fit into your life, and work for you.  Speaking from experience, it can be uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally, to sit with yourself.  Always remember that it is your practice.  Meditation is not a race, so honor where you are, and work from there.
     
  2. Don't worry if you can't clear your head.

    I think that people often confuse meditation with a mind free of thoughts; that you are not allowed to think when you meditate.  Do not get discouraged if you are meditating and thoughts pop up.  Acknowledge those thoughts, and allow them to be there.  But over and over again, bring your attention back to your breath.
     
  3. Get comfy! Use props and tools.

    Whether it's at your local yoga studio, meditation center, or in your living room - create a comfortable and calming environment to practice daily.  I like to have a big pile of props and tools close by.  Some items I have found useful to incorporate into my practice are: a meditation pillow, a yoga mat, blankets, inspirational books + poetry, my journal, mala beads, candles, crystals, sage and music.

    Tip:  Place a meditation pillow (like this beautiful kitchen + kraft meditation pillow), or a blanket beneath your sitbones, so that you have a little bit of elevation for the hips.  Keeping the creases of your hips slightly higher that your knees, will allow you to sit more comfortably for longer periods of time.
     
  4. Experiment with different types of meditation.

    There are so many different types and styles of meditation that you're bound to find something that works for you.  As always, you should do your research, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

    While I can't describe Zen in a few sentences, this website does a pretty good job.  Zen is a seated meditation, and is the practice of looking at life directly as it is.

    If the idea of sitting in silence it too much for you, there are plenty of guided meditation that you can listen to.  I love Rachel Brathen's guided meditations on oneOeight.

    If you've ever admired a set of mala beads, how about trying japa?  A set of mala beads can help you to count your mantra repetitions.

    Are you slightly more adventurous?  Super into trance music?  Give holotropic breathwork a shot.

    It's easy to assume that meditation means sitting cross-legged, but that is totally not the case.  If you know you really just CAN'T sit still, why not try a moving meditation?  Try walking a labyrinth, or take a tai chi class.

    More of a writer?  Combining meditation and journaling can be incredibly powerful.  The Kripalu Center recommends a beautiful cycle of moving for five minutes, meditating for five minutes, journaling for five minutes, and then sitting in meditation for another five minutes.
     
  5. Access helpful resources.

    There are so many resources that you can access to learn more about meditation, and expand your practice.

    Take classes, workshops, retreats and study with teachers.  Remember to ask lots of questions!

    Read articles and books, and absorb all the information that you can.

    Use mindful apps, like Headspace, or Insight Timer, to help guide you through your practice.

    Find a buddy, make friends, encourage each other and discuss the things you've learned.
     

I hope that I have encouraged you to embrace your budding meditation practice.  May it help you to create balance, make space and find peace in your life.  As always, if you have any questions, please direct them my way.
 

Namaste.


**THIS POST ALSO APPEARS ON MASSMUSINGS.COM**

Photography: Monica Justesen Photography (except for first photo).

Photo Styling: Monica Justesen, Kayte Demont, Alex Pettinato  

Meditation Pillows: c/o Kitchen + Kraft
 

 

In LIFE, MASS MUSINGS, MEDITATION, WELLNESS, YOGA Tags YOGA, MEDITATION, MEDITATE, TIPS, HOME PRACTICE, KITCHEN + KRAFT, ONEOEIGHT, MALA, JAPA, MALA BEADS, ZEN, JOURNAL, PROPS, MEDITATION PILLOW, MANTRA, WELLNESS, SELF LOVE, MASS MUSINGS
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