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LIFE + YOGA: Using Mala Beads in My Practice

May 20, 2015 Alexandra Pettinato

It’s early in the morning, and I am faced with a familiar scene.  Opening the window in my yoga space, I allow that first breath of fresh air to fill my lungs.  I move quietly, unrolling my mat in one swift motion; a movement I’ve made many times before.  My mat - a place I know that I can always come back to.  A place to move, to breathe, to feel connected, to meditate.  I burn some sage to clear the room, and proceed to light my favourite scents.  Lavender, evergreen, and jasmine fill the air, and I gently pluck my mala from the bowl in which it rests.  I sit down and fold my legs into sukhasana, and close my eyes.  I let the wind from the open window lightly brush my hair out of place.  I slowly breathe in and out, basking in the stillness.  Placing my hands together, I clutch my mala beads in front of my chest, and bow my head.  I whisper the words, “You are exactly where you need to be,” and use my hands to connect my head and my heart.  Holding my mala in my right hand, looped over my middle finger, I begin to recite my mantra, over and over.  Carefully, I pull the beads towards me with my thumb.  The sunlight falling through the shades feels warm against my skin, and it is in this moment, that everything else begins to fall away.

To read the rest of the post + see more photos, head over to massmusings.com!  I wrote a piece about using a mala in my practice, and apparently people liked it - so that's cool.  I feel so incredibly grateful to be able to share my practice and connect with you all in so many different ways.

I know I haven't been around much lately, but I do post on Instagram every day if you're wondering what I have been up to.  Pedro's family was in town from Brazil, so we have had a busy couple of weeks.  But I'm taking photos (a lot), and writing (a little)

The site is in need of a re-design, and I need business cards, and so does Pedro.  Life keeps moving on and on (after it seemed like time was standing still), and I have so many things to do + share + make.  I'm just letting this space be whatever it becomes, and that's ok.

I'm enjoying watching Boston transition from Winter to Spring to Summer.  Everything is in bloom, and there is so much life everywhere.  We have been taking Rudie on long walks through the neighbourhood (which is so much fun).  And I do yoga with the window open, and the birds chirp, and the sun shines, and everything is alright.  

The city is alive, and I can't wait to explore.

Until next time - peace + love,

Alex

In LIFE, YOGA, MASS MUSINGS, MEDITATION, MALA, WELLNESS Tags YOGA, LIFE, MASS MUSINGS, LIFESTYLE, MALA, MALA BEADS, PRACTICE, HOME PRACTICE, MEDITATE, MEDITATION, WRITING, WRITE, #YOGAEVERYDAMNDAY, YOGA SPACE, WELLNESS, FITLIFE
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CURRENTLY: Dancing in the Dark

March 26, 2015 Alexandra Pettinato

Hello friends!

The last couple weeks have been pretty crazy - but don't worry, I'm still here!  I've just been busy letting life happen.

I thought I would do a little CURRENTLY post to bring you up to speed on all things Alex.  So let's get to it!

TRAVELLING

It's weird to say I'm travelling, because I'm actually in my childhood home at the moment.  However, I've been hopping on and off planes, trains and automobiles a lot lately.  Sometimes feeding my overwhelming case of wanderlust is super satisfying, and at others, all I want to do is just stay still.  I'm a walking contradiction... what can I say?  I'm finding more and more that no matter where I am, yoga helps me to feel grounded and connected.  Wherever I go, it's comforting to know that my practice is still the same.

I'm currently working on some travel posts (for my blog, for Mass Musings, and another fun collab) - so keep your eyes peeled for those in the coming weeks.  There will be lots of lovely photos + travel tips (and maybe even a carry-on essentials post) from our time spent in Brazil, California, and my stay in Toronto.

Next on the list (fingers crossed) is Asheville, NC!   

LISTENING

"You can't start a fire without a spark."

I was in a yoga class the other day, and while we were in Savasana, the teacher played a cover of Bruce Springsteen's, Dancing in the Dark.  For some reason, it just resonated with me.  You can't start a fire without a spark.  Maybe it's because we spent an hour building fire with our movement + breath, but I've had it in my head since then.  I searched and searched for the right cover, but I couldn't find it (I need to ask the teacher next time I'm at the studio).  Though I did find a couple that I really liked!  I love the original (Bruce is The Boss after all), but I'm a sucker for a slow song + an acoustic guitar.

FEELING

So incredibly inspired.  And for that matter, so so so happy.

Travelling + working + photographing + making + loving + moving + breathing + practicing + meditating + accepting + reading + writing + listening + living...

Suddenly, everything in my life is starting to make sense.  It's not perfect by any means, but as the dust settles (from the chaos that was 2013-2014), it just feels right.

Start living the life that you want to lead today.  Why wait?  If not now, when?

READING

Photo by Ben Kane

Photo by Ben Kane

Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen

I probably talk about @yoga_girl too much (ask Pedro), but I just think she is a pretty rad yogi, and a talented writer.  Rachel often posts her words on Instagram (along with some of my favourite yoga photos around), but you can also read her pieces on Elephant Journal, or on her blog.  

Yoga Girl, the book, was released in North America yesterday!  I, of course, picked it up, and have been working my way through it.  Part memoir, part recipe book, part yoga guide - Yoga Girl, is nothing short of inspiring.  Rachel talks about finding her path to yoga and happiness, and encourages others to create + cultivate balance and love in our own lives.  I may have shed a tear or two reading about her journey, and contemplating my own.

I love Rachel's approach to yoga, and life for that matter.  She's just, relatable, perhaps?  Authentic?  Real?  Anyways, if you're looking for a good read to help you think about your practice (in an accessible way), this book might be for you!  Plus, there's a bevy of beautiful images to feast your eyes upon too.

If I've learned from Rachel Brathen, it is to show yourself love.  To show love to others.  Just love.  And of course, to practice #YogaEveryDamnDay.

And always remember - you are enough.  Just as you are.

MISSING

Pedro, Rudie, and the California coastline.  

I'm having a great time with family and friends here in Toronto.  I'm going to yoga, visiting all my favourite spots, etc. - but I miss my boys back in Boston!  I've only been gone a week, but I would love to be snuggling on the couch with them right now.

In regards to California, it was amazing.  I have been a lot of places in this world, but I had never felt more at home.  From the second I stood in the Pacific Ocean, while the waves crashed against the shore, I just knew.  It's a strange and wonderful feeling when you finally end up where you are meant to be.  

I am going to do my best to cherish our time on the east coast.  It was such a big step for us, and a huge part of our journey.  I will admit though, it is hard with our 2016 west coast move date looming in the distance.  I just can't believe that my wildest dreams are coming true.  It's so surreal, not to mention exciting.  Time certainly does fly by, doesn't it?  

Until next time - peace + love,

Alex

In CURRENTLY, LIFE, YOGA Tags YOGA, YOGA GIRL, CURRENTLY, TRAVEL, TRAVELLING, TORONTO, CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, VENICE BEACH, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, DANCING IN THE DARK, DANIELA ANDRADE, FEELING, PEDRO, HOME, LOVE, PHOTO DIARY, PHOTOGRAPHY, LAYFLAT, OCEAN, BEACH, PACIFIC OCEAN, ANOTHER KIND OF SUNRISE, READING, MISSING, #YOGAEVERYDAMNDAY
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