It's always too long between posts, isn't it? Time keeps moving on and on and on, and I'm doing my best to stay present. To live in the moment. To enjoy the here and now before it's gone. And I think that's ok. As always, you can follow along with my day-to-day on Instagram. I have lots of fun yoga + lifestyle content that I would love to share with you, and tend to post there daily.

In the mean time, why don't catch up with a CURRENTLY post?

LISTENING:

I don't even know who I am anymore with my musical choices. Lately I've been all over the place. A stereotypical Drake-loving Torontonian, strutting down the street to Bey's, Lemonade, and dancing all day to JT's new jam.

Then Brand New released their new single, and suddenly it all makes sense again. Everything is different. Everything is still the same. It's like I'm a 15 year old emo kid with my hair in my eyes, just screaming my little heart out with Jesse Lacey.

But whatever, I'm posting the video for Can't Stop the Feeling, because it's Friday afternoon, and it's got me dancing.

WATCHING:

Game of Thrones! Obviously. I can't wait for Dany T to stir up some shit with those dragons. PLUS, can we talk about all the badass babes of GOT?! They are killing it.

PHOTOGRAPHING

These days, I've been photographing and creating content for LovePop, a Boston-based pop-up greeting card company. I have been having a blast concocting new ways to display the sculpture-esque paper art.

I'm also going to have the opportunity to design a Snapchat geo-filter (at Faneuil Hall) for the company and I'm even going to take a shot at running their Instagram account.

I couldn't be more excited about my work, which feels AMAZING. YOU GUYS, you can do ANYTHING that you want in life. Even if you have to make up the job yourself!

TRAVELING

Pedro and I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It was AMAZING! We drove from LA to Vegas through the Mojave Desert, and it was truly one of the most beautiful drives we have ever taken. I had never seen the desert landscape, and it took my breath away.

Las Vegas is a very strange and surreal place. Haha, it was not really my scene, but I had a wonderful time anyways. We were there to celebrate the marriage of our dear friends from Toronto, Craig and Victoria, which was SO SO SO special. I'm so happy we were able to be there.

It was back to LA to hang with Kayte + Drew from Mass Musings, who so graciously hosted us in their Hollywood abode. We explored + drank coffee + ate tacos + had wine + margaritas. We also checked out some neighborhoods to get a feel of the city before we move at the end of the summer.

ALSO, I got to meet up with my friend Dana from my hometown who just moved to California. It was so great to catch up with her. We hung out in Highland Park and drank Moscow Mules at a bar/bowling alley that played Vampire Weekend.

I'm traveling a lot in the next few months. Mostly back and forth to Canada (I have 3 trips to YYZ in the works so far), but also another trip to LA to look at apartments. A visit from a friend in June which will likely include a trip to the Cape and some hiking in Vermont or NH, and then finally our big move at the end of the summer. Here's hoping we can squeeze in a weekend in NYC too :)

PRACTICING

While I think that we could all use a little more yoga in our lives, I have kept up with my consistent practice. Some weeks are better than others, but I always make time for even just a little bit of yoga and meditation. My days wouldn't feel complete otherwise.

Certain aspects of my practice have grown by leaps and bounds (well, not really, more like inches). I'm finding more strength, balance and flexibility, and poses that once seemed impossible (here's looking at you compass pose), are now a part of my daily asana practice. I'm also working on improving my arm balances (it's slow progress), dropbacks (no more wall!) + forearm wheel (I can do it now, hooray)!

I've been practicing a lot at home, and going to classes at the studio when I start to get bored and uninspired. Mostly, I'm just doing what feels good.

I'm not teaching right now, but am hoping to organize some classes and continue learning more. Planning on taking a Children/Teen teacher training, which I am super excited about.

I hope that you have a great weekend.

Now get out there, and ENJOY THE SUNSHINE. I'm going to ride my bike (OH YEAH I GOT A BIKE)!

Peace + love.

"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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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