• PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Creative
  • Blog
  • Home
Menu

YYZ to LAX - Photography + Creative

Street Address
Los Angeles, CA
Phone Number
toronto + los angeles based photography and creative studio.

Your Custom Text Here

YYZ to LAX - Photography + Creative

  • PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Creative
  • Blog
  • Home

YOGA + LIFE: Short Reflections on YTT

August 26, 2015 Alexandra Pettinato

"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

In YOGA, WELLNESS, LIFE, GOALS, FITLIFE Tags YOGA, YTT, YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, SOUTH BOSTON YOGA, SBY, LIFE, JOURNEY, LIFESTYLE, URDVHA DHANURASANA, WHEEL, ASANA, SIDE ANGLE, BOSTON, PHOTOGRAPHY, YOGI, THE POWER OF NOW, ECKHART TOLLE, TEACHER
Comment

LIFE + YOGA: My Heart is a Compass

June 28, 2015 Alexandra Pettinato

Hello friends, I hope you are all doing well.  Pedro and I (and Rudie) drove up to Canada a couple of weeks ago, and have been enjoying spending time with our friends + family, and visiting all our old stomping grounds.  There's been lots of good food, lots of good times, lots of yoga, and so much love (that my heart could burst). 

A couple weekends ago, my friend Leandra and I (along with a slew of other Toronto yogis), braved the cold + wet weather to participate in the world's kindest triathlon.  Wanderlust 108 is a mindful triathlon - a 5K + yoga sesh + meditation.  

About halfway through the 5K, it started POURING rain (which we expected), and the puddles in my shoes sort of slowed me down.  Eventually I ran back through that Wanderlust gate and it felt OH SO GOOD.  

There were some issues with planning and organization (we actually ended up running 5+ miles, not 5 kilometers), and the festival got a little rained out (a lot of people seemed to leave after the run), but we stayed, and made the best of it!  We joined in on the shortened yoga + meditation practice, and moved with some 50+ weather warriors who stuck it out and danced in the mud.

All was not lost, we found shelter under the vendor tents, and picked up some awesome yoga wear.  I grabbed some Buddha Pants, and seriously guys, it was the best decision I've ever made.  They are a dream.  I already ordered more, because I know I am going to live in them.  Begone constricting leggings, hello (organic, naturally-dyed, American-made) free-flowing harem pants.  

I also managed to snag a couple Inner Fire tanks with fun sayings on them (like Shake Your Asana, haha), and I was super happy to be able to support the Vancouver-based brand.

I didn't take too many photos, because, well, it was pouring, and I didn't want to break my phone/camera.  Despite the inclement weather, we had fun.  Here's hoping next year I make it to Wanderlust proper and get to experience the full festival. 

In YOGA, WELLNESS, FITLIFE Tags YOGA, WANDERLUST, #FINDYOURTRUENORTH, WANDERLUST108, MINDFUL TRIATHALON, MINDFUL, WELLNESS, FITLIFE, LIFE, LIFESTYLE, BREATHE, TORONTO, OLYMPIC ISLAND, WHEEL POSE, BUDDHA PANTS, INNER FIRE, SOUL MAT, MANDUKA
Comment
← Newer Posts Older Posts →

590 Tahoe Keys Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

© YYZ to LAX, Alexandra Pettinato, 2022.