Tag: Daily Rituals (page 1 of 2)

Book Review: The Daily Love, by Mastin Kipp

If you have no idea who Mastin Kipp is yet, then you should check out his blog TheDailyLove.com. Oprah has invited this “new generation spiritual thinker” on her show Super Soul Sunday and on tour for the Lifeclass. I don’t know about you, but I tend to trust Oprah’s recommendations. But funny enough, I didn’t discover him through the world’s number one media humanitarian. It all started with a forward from my then, yoga teacher and life coach, now friend. She said something along the lines of “check this out – you’ll love this guy’s blog.”

I signed up for his weekly emailed and started watching DailyLove TV. I always found his videos uplifting and I saw that his company, The Daily Love, was organizing a ton of personal development events. When he launched his book, Daily Love: Growing Into Grace I added it to my Amazon cart. Then it sat there for a couple of months until I saw one of his videos on getting unstuck. I figured, it’s now or never if I want to start getting my act together. Let’s see what this guy’s story is and what insights he might have to share.

 

dailylove cover

Daily Love: Growing Into Grace, by Mastin Kipp

Book Review: The Daily Love – Growing Into Grace, by Mastin Kipp

It turns out, Mastin’s writing voice is incredibly honest and accessible. He’s smart and shares lessons from personal experience in a non-preachy way. He doesn’t make efforts to embellish parts of his journey nor does he make himself out to be a fully-fledged perfect hero. He shares his past battles and even his current challenges with courage and vulnerability. His issues are all there on the table for your judgement or inspiration. Although, most readers will be compelled into stepping into their power.

He openly shares his resources, from books to mentors and events. He recognizes that no one is entirely self-made and we all need help. Any fan of The Daily Love will tell you that Mastin is genuinely living in service and leads with his heart. And of course, his journey is too extraordinary to have been imagined; he’s been as low as the depths of the sea and he’s soared up there with greats like Tolle and Robbins. A guy just can’t plan that serendipity. His story is inspiring but that’s not all. Mastin is all about taking action, not just spiritual entertainment.

Mastin Kipp

Mastin Kipp, founder of TheDailyLove and author of Daily Love: Growing Into Grace

In essence, we learn that in order to change our lives, we need to be ready to face our fears and take action steps towards who we want to be and the life we want to live every day. My action toward a healthier me is finding help for dealing with sugar addiction and committing to my handstand challenge. I’m reinforcing a stronger mind and a stronger body. I will take my power back! As for my action toward my bliss, I’m posting weekly on this blog, which makes me truly happy, and I’m starting to organize my book in a more structured way. (YES! There will be a book…stay tuned!)

How would YOU like your life to improve? What action are you ready to take to make it happen?

Book Review: Yoga Girl, by Rachel Brathen

Rachel Brathen is an instagram sweetheart known as @yoga_girl. I’ve personally been following her for as long as I’ve been on instagram (about a year?). I may have resisted this platform, which as a photographer, is a little contradictory, but at some point, I was too curious about the insta-eye-candy out there. And even though you find all types of trends (uh, there are altogether probably more food and cat pics than anything), I was instantly drawn to this super rad lady because she seemed so full of life, so genuine and her photos were always colourful and her messages inspiring.

Rachel Brathen @yoga_girl

Rachel Brathen is @yoga_girl

Book Review: Yoga Girl by Rachel Brathen

When I noticed the buzz about her (then) upcoming book, Yoga Girl, I thought I needed to read her story. I was so excited when it came in that I read it in a few short days. I recently read over certain parts of her story again. Rachel is honest and so full of love. Her wisdom comes from experience overcoming challenges (some of epic proportions) but she is not preachy. It’s fortunate that she’s a beautiful person (inside and out) and that she has so many followers because her message of love, peace and bliss is much needed.

I like that her book is a combination of her story. yoga sequences, recipes, inspirational notes and breath-taking photographs. Her book feels like she’s offering a slice of harmony by showing us how she found peace and beauty in every situation. She’s also found her voice and I admire that.

I’ve tried her green smoothie and her guacamole recipes and they were huge hits with my family. Her words of wisdom resonated with me, which is why I keep going back to her book.

Rachel Brathen in a seated twist

Rachel in a seated twist

Rachel Brathen in Seated Meditation

She inspires me to trust that what I love will be of use to someone and it will bring meaning (to others and to me). Her perseverance through her emotional, spiritual and physical challenges shows me that I can do it too. I can heal my body from emotional pain and hormonal imbalance. I can heal my body from injuries. I can heal my heart from fear and disappointment. I can heal my spirit from illusion. It makes me want to go to my yoga mat as well and work out my issues there. I practice to know Truth as often as I can.

This woman does yoga every dang day! Whoa. It’s what I strive for.

Rachel in king pigeon

Rachel in king pigeon

I realize that yoga is for my body what writing is for my spirit. They’re both tools and approaches to the same state of peace and acceptance.

Yoga Girl Book Cover

Yoga Girl, by Rachel Brathen

I’ve also started trying her sequences. Because of Rachel, I’ve started my handstand challenge… Every day, I work towards doing a successful handstand. I also try to do a forearm inversion. Inversions scare me a little. I know that I’m not there yet and I know this isn’t a complete yoga practice. But the Universe knows how to speak to us so that we understand; the handstand is me facing something that terrifies me and that I once thought I could never do (because I didn’t “have the body” or “the upper body strength”). I *know* through this experience that I will succeed and I know that I am strong enough. I also know that I like to take big bites out of the elephant but that I’m committed to small bites. So the handstand, for me, is tackling a tougher part in small, consistent bites. I will eat that elephant. I will handstand. I am hand-standing even for a few seconds every day. Those seconds will transform into minutes as my body confirms my belief that I am strong.

I am so grateful to her for writing this book and I hope one day to take her class live!

Is there a book that inspired you into challenging yourself? Has social media introduced you to someone you find inspiring?

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