I've been thinking a lot about my path the wellness recently. Why it is that I've chosen to share it with the world, why I want to teach and write about yoga, and to love wildly... Why I've made the choice to choose love over fear, every damn day. I've come to realize that taking care of + caring for others has always been second nature, but caring for myself unconditionally is a rather new concept for me. Though it's one that I've embraced wholeheartedly.

The last few weeks (as I deal with the final leg of my immigration to the USA), have been really challenging. I've been anxious, frazzled, frantic, and at moments - broken-hearted, and oh so sad.

It's been incredibly comforting to lean into my practice. To return to this place, not only when things are great, but when they all fall apart as well. To come to the mat, without judgement or expectation. Where there are no rights or wrongs, or immigration statuses, or paperwork... The place where I'm allowed to move + breathe + play + just be. Not a place to escape to, but rather a place to feel it all + let it all go.

I'm learning to accept the things that I can not change. To enjoy the little things - a backbend with a smile, the leaves in mid-October, a matinee with an old friend... And I'm doing my best to navigate this crazy journey, with my (open) heart as my compass.

How are you taking care of yourselves? Do you need some ideas? Meditate, get on the mat, treat yourself to a massage, eat nourishing foods, go for a hike in the woods, play with your pup, take a workshop, start a project - get inspired!

Or why not come hang at the W.E.L.L. Summit with the Mass Musings Tribe? My friend, Kayte (from Mass Musings), and I will be there, living W.E.L.L., from November 6 - 8!

What is the W.E.L.L. Summit? Let me tell you! It's an urban weekend wellness retreat, taking place in the heart of Boston. Come practice, listen, play, eat, grow, and learn with some of the most inspiring and open-hearted individuals in the wellness field.

I'm really looking forward to nourishing meals, morning yoga, and taking some extra time for myself after the chaos that has infiltrated my life. I'm looking forward to slowing down, and doing the work.

Photo Credit, Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day!

I'm super excited for the Breakout Session speakers! My Instagram idol, Ksenia Avdulova, who you may know better as the acai aficionado, Breakfast Criminals, is talking all about using social media to market your business. She's super awesome, and I'm really hoping I'll get to chat Brazilian superfruits and heart bowl love with her.

Brandie Gilliam, Founder and Creative Director of Thoughtfully Magazine, will also be attending as a business expert. As a graphic designer, yoga teacher, wellness enthusiast, and aspiring writer - it's safe to say that I love Thoughtfully Magazine. I was so thrilled when they made my fav @yoga_girl, Rachel Brathen, made the Issue 3 cover - and they didn't photoshop her image. How refreshing is that? I'd love to hear more from this lady and her inspiring project.

So what do you say? Want to join in the fun, my fellow wellness warriors?

Wellness, Empowerment, Learning, Luxury.

There are three ways to attend, Full Experience, Weekender Pass, and Weekend Warrior Pass.

Full Experience

Farm-To-Table Welcome Dinner

Lunch on Friday, November 6th & Saturday, November 7th

Breakfast on Saturday, November 7th

Brunch on Sunday, November 8th

2 days of interactive and educational breakout sessions and access to wellness leaders. All breakout sessions will be capped at 30 people ensuring you will have a chance to connect with the speaker, ask questions and get your questions answered!

Networking opportunities with wellness professionals and enthusiasts

Exclusive gift bag filled with wellness goodies

Exclusive offers from our Sponsors such as a two month membership to Thrive Market + 15% off of your first purchase

Full Experience Pass $549. **

Weekender Pass

Here’s what your W.E.L.L.come Weekender Pass will include:

Farm-To-Table Welcome Dinner with Keynote Speaker Latham Thomas

Check-in Gift Bag

Turn-Down Gift Bag

Access to your choice of Breakout Sessions (Saturday & Sunday)

Saturday morning yoga class with Boston Yogi Emily Griffin (optional)

All inclusive Saturday lunch

Access to the L.I.V.E. W.E.L.L. Marketplace

Sunday morning movement class (optional)

Sunday brunch

Weekender Pass Price: $350.**

Get your own all-inclusive ticket at a discounted price, just for Mass Musings + YYZ->BOS readers!

Enjoy $75 off the the full conference ticket with the code MASSMUSINGS

Enjoy $30 off the Weekender ticket with the code MASSWEEKENDER

For more updates and information, check out the W.E.L.L. Summit Blog!

Hopefully I'll see you at the Summit!

Until next time friends - peace + love,

Alex

"Time isn't precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time-past and future-the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is."

- Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Things have been quiet around here, haven't they. I won't apologize though. I don't like to say that I've been busy, or that I haven't had time. The truth is, I've been on a journey. Not in terms of kilometers or miles (though riding the T to South Boston from Brighton everyday certainly felt like an epic trek), but a journey inwards. A path of deep self-study, devoting all my time and energy to doing the work. Over the past month, I've spent the majority of my days at South Boston Yoga, completing their Summer Yoga Teacher Training Intensive. It was immersive, physically and emotionally exhausting, and so unbelievably amazing.

I feel like a completely different person than I was a month ago. And as I bask in the glow that is post-YTT life, I can't help but hope that this feeling sticks. It's amazing what happens when you just let go. When all those tiny muscles in your body let go of tension, of fear, of pain and anger that they have been holding onto for years. When you completely unravel, and have the opportunity to build yourself back up. You see the world in a different light, and everything burns brightly and makes sense for the first time in what seems like forever.

Maybe I sound like a crazy, new-age hippie, but I've learned that I (still) don't really care. I'm going to breathe + love + bend + flow + meditate, because it makes me feel good. And I hope that I can share those things with you in an accessible way. If you're still not into it, that's cool too! Let's just keep talking about punk rock, and travel, and my deep (seriously, deep) love for television.

I walked through the doors of South Boston Yoga on August 1, choosing love over fear, but not really sure what that meant for my life. Strong, grounded, and with an open heart, I emerged a humble warrior. Ready to share my voice, my passion, my love, my light with others. A leader, ready to hold the space, and guide my students through the practice that makes me feel whole.

While I still have so much more to learn. So much space to grow in my practice. So much more to give, and love and feel - I left those doors on Sunday afternoon a yoga teacher.

And I am so so so grateful. I can't believe I had the opportunity to complete one of my biggest goals/dreams/visions. It feels FANTASTIC. Manifesting what you want for your life IS POSSIBLE. You make your own magic, every damn day, in all sorts of ways. Each breath we take is an amazing gift. Remember that, always.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the wonderful humans + hearts who have supported me during this special time in my life. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(Also, to stay up-to-date with all things Alex, follow me on Instagram, @photolexx!)

Peace + love,

Alex