Meet Kristen. One of the new 30 Day Sober challengers who joined us last month and continued strong with us this month, yayy Kristine! She quickly became a familiar face and a committed yogi to her practice. We love her presence in our classes and thought to get to know her more. Meet our star for the week...
Hi Kristen! Tell us a little bit about yourself! Who is Kristen?
Kristen: Each day that passes I’m learning more about who I am, which is just a beautiful experience. I am a empath, highly sensitive person, but I see this as a gift as I feel emotions deeply. I love yoga, and am hoping to become YTT certified. I’m also working on a course to become a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and am passionate about health. I have a beautiful kitty, Jake, who will be 15 in April. He’s been with me through all of my ups and downs. I’m also an April baby - Aries! I love meeting and learning about new people, and connecting on deeper levels. I love to read, am passionate about skincare, and love herbal teas…and coffee 😊
How did you meet Alex?
Kristen: I found Alex by chance on social media, and I found I resonated so much with her stories, and still as I learn more about her, I feel at times she is talking about my life. She is such an inspiration and beautiful person, and I am beyond grateful for the community she created in MLPC.
What inspired you to start practicing yoga?
Kristen: I went on my first yoga retreat in 2017 after learning about my dads cancer diagnosis, and after coming out of an extremely toxic and manipulative relationship, as a way to ground myself, travelling solo for the first time ever, and not knowing what I was in for. I fell absolutely in love with it, and felt like a sponge just absorbing information and wanting more. Back at home my practice would go in and out, but each year I would return to the retreat and fall in love with it all over again.
Have you ever had any experience with yoga before joining the MLPC?
Kristen: Yes - mainly Costa Rica was the beginning for me, and then it wasn’t until finding MLPC that I’ve built a constant daily (even sometimes multiple times a day) yoga practice, and I have never felt so connected and part of a community before.
What’s your connection to the MLPC?
Kristen: I joined for the 30 day sober and yoga challenge, and I think you guys are stuck with me now! I am continuing on with 60 days, and I hope to just continue to become more and more integrated into MLPC. I absolutely love it, love the community and connections, love, support, acceptance, and the people.
How did you end up being so committed to yoga?
Kristen: As I touched on, I was in and out with a consistent practice until MLPC and now I can’t imagine my life not doing yoga everyday, If it is nearing the end of the day and I haven’t done yoga yet, I can feel it and make sure to get a practice in! :)
Did you face any challenges during the month of January?
Kristen: I actually feel like I thrived off the community, the practices (yoga, meditation, journalling, the workshops, etc). I gained mental clarity to allow bottled up emotions that I’ve not let myself feel for years actually surface and release, and I’ve been able to let go of so much that I was holding onto that no longer serves me. I owe that to Alex and MLPC!
What are the biggest benefits you’ve reaped from your yoga practice?
Kristen: The mental clarity, the calm within me, showing up for myself and being able to count on myself each day, and building strength not only physically but mentally.
What’s your favorite posture?
Kristen: Pigeon pose - I dont know why but I love almost any hip opening pose, and shoulder stand! :)
What’s your most difficult posture?
Kristen: Balancing poses - however, I am committed to keep working on it!
What is your favorite type(s) of yoga? And why?
Kristen: I am drawn to Vinyasa style or Yin mainly - and love the combination classes.
Any words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Kristen: Embrace it fully, immerse yourself in the community, show up for yourself and know that you are always stronger than you think you are. There is such a beautiful, supportive community around to hold space for you, trust in yourself, and take the leap!
Thank you Kristine for the great interview. We’re delighted to have you in our community, welcome home!
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Until next time, may you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir