Lookin' Good, Mama

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove


 

We don’t have to tell you, dear reader, that being a mama is HARD WORK. Physically, mentally, emotionally demanding and beyond draining. But fortunately the love of our little ones, coupled with some self care, helps us go the distance each and everyday. So in honor of Mother’s Day, we asked some of our favorite rockstar mamas - those who keep us going with their incredible brands and services that are practically made for mamas - to tell us how being a mother inspires them and their work. Because whether it’s a lipstick that helps us look less tired, or a hydrating serum, or a cozy women’s sanctuary, we are able to thrive and be the best mamas possible thanks to these women.

 

Amanda Chantal Bacon, Founder of Moon Juice 

“The biggest surprise is how attached to him I am. Given the chance to do something that was once really exciting, I can’t imagine giving up playtime with Rohan to do what I once found thrilling. I never thought I’d be that person."

 

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Photo by Yoshiro Makino

What excites me most is feeling the depth of love that I’ve never felt before, unconditional love. Intellectually you can think about it, but to experience it in your heart is really exciting.”


Paula Mallis, Founder of  WMN Space

 

Photographed by Mel Blanchard

“At WMN all the offerings support women and mother's partaking in a self care practice or ritual while being of service to themselves so they can better serve their children and family. When a women or mother's cup is full it becomes a ripple effect to all those around her."


April Gargiulo, Founder of  Vintner's Daughter

“I was a first time mom when I founded Vintner’s Daughter. For me this was a powerfully creative time on so many levels. As a new mom, I realized how important time management became. Spending 30 minutes on my skincare routine was not an option, but neither was doing nothing. 

 

Photo by Erin Souza

Active Botanical Serum was created to be a 30 second ritual that delivered all the skin-beautifying performance of a more complicated routine. I didn't want to compromise on the highest quality, results or safety and I didn't think anyone else should either.

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Beauty is confidence and knowing that you can walk outside make-up free and feel your best, is what we strive for with Active Botanical Serum.  Because feeling your best makes you a better mom, partner, friend and citizen. We also make it our mission give back and to that end we donate 2% of every bottle sold to charities dedicated to women and children around the world.”


Sheena Yaitanes, Founder of Kosås

 

“Being a mother is so selfless and involves so much giving. If we can steal
moments for ourselves, like to put on lipstick, we can replenish the source just a little bit.
The smallest of acts reminds us that we matter. “

 
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Erika Bloom, Founder of Erika Bloom Pilates

 

"As moms, it’s so crucial that we take time for ourselves. The private sessions at my studios are so nurturing; they lead you to reconnect to your body and calm your nervous system while also stretching and strengthening to create a healthy, toned, balanced body. "

 

For me, the way that Pilates keeps me calm, balanced, strong, and pain free means that I can really get down and in it with my kids: sitting on the floor and playing imagination, running after them in the park, climbing trees, throwing a ball, or just having patience and understanding as they learn and grow. The beauty of a family all starts with us and is affected by how we are feeling inside and out. It’s important to prioritize holistic fitness and wellness."

 

Photo by Eric White


Joanna Vargas, Founder of  Joanna Vargas Salon and Skincare Collection 

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“My clients use my Daily Serum as their secret weapon to keeping the glow in their skin! Based on my love of green juices, the serum contains chlorophyll, galactoarabinan and oat grass juice which oxygenate the skin while stimulating cell turnover and lymphatic drainage. All I want is to make a woman feel like her best, most confident self. If she feels beautiful, it will make her skin glow for miles.”

 

Photo by Roderick Angle


Cleaning Green - Rites of Spring

Written by Erika Bloom & Photographed by A Wild Dove


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Erika Bloom, founder of Erika Bloom Pilates, wellness maven and MOF (Member of the Flock), believes that your home should be treated with as much reverence as your body. 

 

After all, you live in both.

 

So when it comes to the ritual of spring cleaning, she chooses products that are organic and as natural as possible to ensure her home remains sparkling, while keeping her family safe and healthy.  Inspiring as ever, Erika even makes a few of her own green cleaning potions.


 

Here she shares her wisdom of tending to a radiant natural home,
why it's important to her and a list of her favorite green products.

 

When you walk into a home that is cared for, naturally, you feel nourished and energized. You can just feel it. A home should be both clean and evoke joy, love, comfort and beauty. As someone who is earnest in living a thoughtful, healthy life, I’ve always been considerate of what I am exposing my body and my family to.

It’s comforting to know that we live in a green home, one that has clean air and is safe for the environment and our health, as well as, free of chemicals. As a general rule, avoid phthalates, perfumes, fragrance, parabens, sulfates, dyes, and petrochemicals, pesticides and limit plastics.

 

When you choose green products or make them yourself, you’re choosing cleaners that do not cause harm to you, your family, your pets or to the environment. Spring is the perfect time to detox our homes as we choose green and bring the healing power of nature inside.

Here are some ideas about how we can spring clean our homes naturally, in simple ways and in the products we use -


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Fresh Air

We open our windows as much as possible. Fresh air helps to bring the joy of the outdoors in and helps move any indoor air pollution out. 

 

House Plants and Flowers

Plants take substances out of the air through the tiny openings in their leaves. They also balance humidity levels in the air. Not only are our orchids, huge fig tree and rubber plants gorgeous, they improve the quality of the air we’re breathing. I also love flowers for their mood lifting benefits and beauty, especially white peonies.


Air Filters

A great detoxifier for any indoor space, air filters clean the air you're breathing in before impurities have a chance to trigger allergies, asthma and other reactions. Austin Air makes a modern filter that looks great in our home and cleanses up to 1,500 square feet. We notice an immediate difference when it’s on.

Water Filters

The quality of the water we drink is paramount to our internal health. In order to purify our tap water from potential contaminants and ensure we’re drinking clean, we use the Drink Soma glass water pitchers. The company uses green products and packaging and is dedicated to ending the global water crisis.


Aromatherapy

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Enfleurage
My family adores the beautiful diffusers and oils from Enfleurage, which are imported directly from farms and stills, bringing in high quality, fresh and pure essential oils from six continents. The potent aromatics like lavender, neroli, geranium, and eucalyptus, also benefit air quality.

Essential Oils are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and other parts of plants. When anti-microbial oils are introduced to the air in vapor form, the organic compounds within the oils come into direct contact with airborne pathogens resulting in purified air.
 

 
 
 
 

Cold Spring Apothecary
The candles and room sprays from the modern day Cold Spring Apothecary are fueled by the healing powers of herbs and botanicals. Medicinally focused and remedy-based and crafted in small batches, they use no drying sulfates, harsh parabens, or harmful fragrances.

 
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Jurlique
Jurlique makes balancing and revitalizing essential oil mists that transform the air around you. Started by a biochemist and a botanist husband/wife team, their mission is to reconnect people with nature by combining the ancient alchemy, herbal medicine and homeopathy.

Red Flower
Red Flower candles and diffusers, both biodegradable and biocompatible, are pure botanical beauty. The company creates its plant based products with a deep respect for the land and its cultures, using science, sustainability, holistic medicine and wellness rituals.


Hand Soap

We absorb hand soap through our skin as well as touch our food, our mouths and our children after we use it. Not only do these soaps smell amazing and nourish our skin, the essential oils and natural ingredients in them can clean and disinfect our hands more effectively than harmful chemicals.

 
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Red Flower
Red Flower has been a mainstay in all of our bathrooms for years. My favorite scent right now is Wanderlust, a delicate earthy scent of cypress, vetiver and mandarin.

 


Common Goods
Common Goods Hand Soap, comes in a glass bottle. Made with coconut oil and essential oils, it’s great for the kitchen. Common Good products are made with gentle, plant-based ingredients and scented with 100% pure essential oils. Their mission is to reduce plastic packaging by offering beautiful, refillable bottles.


Cleaning Products

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You can create beautiful, effective cleaning products yourself using organic antibacterial essential oils such as rosemary, lemon, lavender, and thyme. It even feels healing as you clean with them. I also use organic white vinegar and baking soda and put it into glass spray bottles.

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Ferm Living
Re-usable dish cloths by Ferm Living are a staple in our house. Both sustainable and stylish, I use these for everything from dishtowels to dusting to wiping up spills or cleaning mirrors. Ferm Living promises integrity as they use honest materials, meaning clean, real commodities with a minimal impact on the environment. 

 
 
 
 

Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation makes natural cleaning products that work for every surface as well as paper towels, toilet paper, and trash bags. The company strives to use ingredients derived from plants rather than petroleum whenever possible in order to decrease its reliance on the use of fossil fuels.


Laundry

Common Good
Common Good makes beautiful laundry products. The bergamot smells liked I’d always wished my laundry smelled as a kid. For beautiful bright whites, I soak garments and linens in organic white vinegar.

Babyganics
Babyganics utilizes plant based and organic ingredients and the latest research in green cleaning. Their laundry detergent (and stain spray) is beloved in our household and is the highly effective.

The Honest Co.
For tougher stains, I love the very effective Honest Company Oxy Boost. The Honest Company is dedicated to safe, eco-friendly, beautiful, convenient and affordable home and body care products.


The Bedroom


We spend close to half our lives in our bedroom including ample time surrounded by and breathing in our bedding. That’s why it’s essential to clean living to have an organic and non toxic bedroom.

 

We sleep on an organic non toxic mattress and sleep on an unbleached wool mattress pad, all natural sheets, comforters, blankets, and pillows as most traditional bedding uses toxic petrochemicals derived from oil. I love the organic non toxic mattresses and bedding at The Clean Bedroom as well as the Coco Mattress. Area Home makes gorgeous, lasting organic linens.


 

Furniture, bath and kitchen linens, rugs and drapes

Even our furniture can be a source of toxins. They can live in the fabrics, the glues, even what the wood is treated with. ABC Carpet and Home sells beautiful products that are mindful of our health and well-being and meet the highest environmental standards. Opt for home furnishings and accessories made with metals, non toxic woods, natural wool, and organic cottons. 

 


De-cluttering your sleep space and adding plants also helps to keep pollutants low and to create a minimal space for a clear mind and a relaxed sleep environment.
 

 
 

As for floors, choose non toxic carpet or ideally no carpet at all as they hold pollutants and give off potentially harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The same goes for paint, look for no VOC paints.


find out more

ErikaBloomPilates.com

@Erikabloompilates


shop the story

Cold Spring Apothecary

common good | enflourage | Red Flower

elevenplus humidifier

 

As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

Because We All Need a Catalyst

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove


Backstory - Medea Juhasz was suffering. She was leading a self-destructive lifestyle hinged on addiction. She had liver damage, digestive problems, an ulcer, recurring sinus infections and a weak immune system. What came to her rescue wasn’t an in-patient therapy program or prescription drugs, but herbalism. She began combining herbs, amino acids and superfoods and slowly her health issues disappeared. Medea was so inspired that she became a Holistic Health Coach with the goal of spreading the gospel of holistic health and wellness. She created Catalyst Gold, a daily supplement and her vehicle to change the way people think about health. To say we are obsessed with it is an understatement.

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We shot Medea at Knockout Beauty, one of our favorite beauty shops that also carries Cataylst Gold. We chatted her journey, her favorite adaptogens and how she stays zen in madness of New York...


A Wild Dove -

So we are OBSESSED with Catalyst Gold. We love everything about it. We love the way we feel, the way we look. What are some of its key ingredients and how do they improve our bodies? 

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Medea Juhasz -

It is very hard to point out the key ingredients, since each of the 16 ingredients are equally important part of my formula. What makes Catalyst Gold unique is the specific ratio of the ingredients and the actual science how these superfoods, herbs and amino acids enhance each other.


"If I had to highlight the key functions of Catalyst Gold,
Eluthero Root (my favorite adaptogen) is responsible for fighting fatigue
along with Acai Berries, Biotin and Magnesium Citrate."
- Medea Juhasz


| Ring by Aurélie Bidermann

more Ingredients 

Dandelion Root, Selenium, and
Magnesium Citrate helps you gently detox.


Camu Camu, Turmeric, Astragalus, and Mangosteen
are powerful in strengthening your immune system, reducing inflammation, and fighting pain or seasonal allergies.


Biotin, Chlorella, and Grape Seed Extract
will regenerate your hair, nails, and skin.


Flax Seed Extract soothes your digestive tract
while L-Glutamine and Calcium Carbonate work
in tandem to aid in curbing your sugar cravings.


Spirulina and Chlorella will make you ditch the synthetic multi-vitamins since it has all the nutrients and vitamins
your body needs. Just these two superfoods alone contain huge doses of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, and E! They are excellent sources
of potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.


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A Wild Dove -

What are the next steps for Catalyst Gold? More products to come, we hope?  

Medea Juhasz -

I just launched Catalyst Gold a little bit over a year ago, so I'm still completely focusing on this product. Our next step is to figure out the logistics with our potential international retail partners. It's interesting, because we are definitely building a serious cult following, but at the same time we are still Indie and underground. I'm definitely planning to add additional ingestible products down the line, starting with the next product probably towards the beginning of 2018.

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A Wild Dove -

It sounds like Catalyst Gold helps balance our bodies, but how do you stay balanced? What's your therapy?

Medea Juhasz -

My ultimate therapy is boxing. My perfect zen day consists enjoying the sun, meditation, training at Overthrow NY, my boxing gym and sharing organic plant based food with positive, loving friends and family.

 

A Wild Dove -

We love that. Can you share your nighttime ritual ?

Medea Juhaz -

I'm a total night owl. I always do a little work before I go to bed. I like to read a little bit and sip on roasted dandelion tea. A five minute reflection and meditation right before I go to sleep always helps me to wind down.

 

A Wild Dove -

What are your five "desert island products?" (Of course Catalyst Gold is a must, we're sure.)

Medea Juhasz -

Catalyst Gold, my boxing gloves, a big jar of raw virgin coconut oil, a large container of UMF 15 manuka honey, the current book I'm reading - Diane Arbus, “A portrait of a Photographer.”
 


A Wild Dove -

Well we can’t wait to try every single one. Lastly, what makes you fly?

Medea Juhasz -

Positive feedback from my customers about Catalyst Gold and seeing it in the Crosby Street window at Bloomingdales, gratitude, NYC summer heat, the beach, boxing, 70's fashion, Iggy Pop, old Woody Allen movies, and the raw vegan cheese plate from Double Zero.


For More Info

Visit Herbalore.nyc

instagram | Facebook

We're Bent on Bent On Learning

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 
 
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It all began with three ladies and a passion. In 2001 Anne Desmond, Jennifer Ford and Courtney McDowell sought to follow their dream of bringing yoga to kids by teaching the practice in school gyms and classrooms. At the time they had a smattering of classes in a few public schools. Then 9/11 happened. In the wake of the unimaginable impact the event had on kids nearby, they were asked to teach yoga in 10 schools near Ground Zero to help both students and teachers release stress and manage emotions. From there, Bent on Learning formed. “It was our trigger moment,” said Anne. “We had no plan at the time but rose to the occasion and grew from there.”

 

 

Knowing what we know about the benefits of children doing yoga (read: IMMENSE), we sat down with Anne to talk through Bent on Learning and its incredible philosophy...

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Bent On Learning - First, we want to reach as many children and teens as possible and schools are the most efficient way for us to do that. More importantly, we want to help schools educate students in the body and heart, as well as the mind, and offer regular opportunities to move, breathe, relax, and connect to their inner lives. Yoga readily connects students to their bodies, hearts and minds, teaches them how to release stress, control thoughts and manage their emotions. Learning these skills is equally as important as learning math and science and is critical to kids' success academically and in life.  

A Wild Dove - OK so we think the WORLD of Bent on Learning. Can you describe the program and is there a singular method or philosophy?

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THE KIDS SAY IT BEST...

 
 

"Yoga helped me with asthma and it helped me focus with tests."
- Nico, 3rd Grade, PS132

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"Yoga makes me feel peaceful and positive."
- Niaia, 12th Grade,
New Design High School


A Wild Dove - What are some of the differences you've seen in children who've gone through the program?

Bent On Learning - In a recent study of our program, 83% of our high school students showed significant gains in positive youth development. While most students showed improvement in self-management and positive identity, which we could expect from a weekly yoga program, the most dramatic change was seen in academic self-efficacy. Meaning that after just one semester of Bent On Learning, students with the lowest confidence in their ability to attain academic success improved the most!

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A Wild Dove - Is there any upcoming news or events?

Bent On Learning - We have an event on May 4th, where Ruthie Fraser will share excerpts from her book, Stack Your Bones, and offer simple lessons for body alignment, coordination and awareness that can be done anytime, anywhere. Guests will learn fun ways to befriend their bodies and move with ease throughout their lives. Here is the ticket page with all details: Inneractions.eventbrite.com

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A Wild Dove - What's next for Bent on Learning?

Bent On Learning - We currently have 50 schools on our waiting list and are gearing up for significant growth in the next three to five years. We are hiring a new Director of Development and will be launching a growth campaign in the very near future!

 

A Wild Dove - That’s incredible! So tell us, how can readers get involved and support the program?

Bent On Learning - They can visit our website at bentonlearning.org to join our mailing list or make a donation. They can also contact me directly at anne@bentonlearning.org to share ideas on how they'd like to get involved.  We currently have openings on our board and are always looking to grow our junior board, the Yoga Professionals Committee.

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find out more

 Bentonlearning.org 

Beauty Rituals - Erika Bloom

Written by Erika Bloom & Photographed by A Wild Dove

 

She’s a mama, Founder of Erika Bloom Pilates, a wellness practitioner and member of our Flock. If that weren’t enough, Erika Bloom does it all with a glow that emanates from the inside out. She’s the embodiment of the lifestyle she touts - one of all natural, organic living, from her food to her shampoo. We asked Erika to talk through her beauty rituals with the hope that we’ll maybe get her glow. Read on below.

Our inner health and happiness is reflected in the glow of our skin, the strength of our hair, our expression. My primary focus in my beauty routine is good sleep, low stress and clean eating.  I complement this with skin and hair care rituals encompassing beautiful, luxurious, natural products. I absolutely love the experience of moving through the many steps of cleansing, treating and hydrating.

I choose my products starting from the premise that I would never put something on the outside that I wouldn’t put inside. We absorb the products we use through our skin. Essentially, if I wouldn’t eat it, it doesn’t go in my beauty cabinet. Luckily, there are so many amazing, effective products that satisfy this.

My days are busy. I’m always moving, whether it be exercising, teaching clients or playing with my two children, so throughout I need to refresh my hair and skin. I add smoothness to my hair with Kapuluan Raw Organic Coconut Oil. I tone my face with Tammy Fender Essential C Tonic. I hydrate and give my face a dewy glow with either Herbivore Rose Hibiscus Coconut Water Hydrating Mist or Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence.

Natural deodorant is a must. Going from a chemical anti-perspirant to a pure product can be a hard transition but if you manage odor with clean eating and low stress and find the natural deodorant that works with your body chemistry, then you’ll find success. For me it’s Agent Nateur’s holi (stick). It goes on clear and keeps me fresh.

True Botanicals Hydrating Cleanser | Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum | Tammy Fender Essential C Tonic

My nightly face routine starts with cleansing with True Botanicals Hydrating Cleanser. It naturally hydrates with oils while still removing makeup and impurities. It has been amazing for preventing breakouts without drying out my skin. In the morning I start by toning with Tammy Fender Essential C Tonic. Aloe, Green Tea, Vitamin C, Ginseng and Bergamot restore and feed my skin.

Next is a facial mist. The ritual of surrounding myself in a cloud of essential oils is so calming and centering. It also treats the skin and preps it to absorb my serums. I use the Nutrient Mist from True Botanicals. It contains algae extract to replenish and kombucha to restore balance.

My favorite serum (and desert island product) is Tata Harper's Rejuvenating Serum. I can wake up puffy and creased, put this on and look like my best self pretty instantly. It’s packed with effective natural ingredients that improve tone, texture and lines. I love how it feels and smells and how it works under makeup.

Last, I dab on a facial oil. Right now I’m using Suti’s Rejuvenate Organic Face Oil. It’s chock full of amazing ingredients including rosehip seed oil, evening primrose oil, argan oil, sandalwood, frankincense and neroli. It adds glow for day and deep balancing hydration for night. The essential oils lift my mood and help me sleep.

Fearless Tray by Alexandra Von Frustenberg

A few times a week I take the time for a mask. Herbivore’s Brighten mask improves the color and clarity of my skin. Josh Rosebrook’s Cacao mask is genius at clearing and shrinking pores. The beauty of using natural products is that they don’t just make the skin look better, they actually make it healthier. Many chemical products coat the skin to make it appear smooth but they aren’t actually improving quality or truly hydrating. It makes me feel good to choose things that are good for my insides and outside and that really work.

Herbivore Brighten Mask | Josh Rosebrook Cacao Antioxidant Mask

My body and hair routine is rooted in the same natural principles as my face care. Pre-shower I dry brush with gloves for skin exfoliation and improvement of lymph flow and circulation. I wash and condition my hair with products from John Masters Organics, Rahua and Innersense. Then I use a leave in conditioner from Innersense. It leaves my hair smooth with a beach-y wave. Post-shower I hydrate and nourish my skin with Tammy Fender Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil. Lavender essential oil is so calming for me and I love its subtle scent.

If I need to transition to an after work meeting or event, I add lift to my hair with Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo and add scent with LURK oil or Tata Harper Love Potion. They smell amazing and enhance my mood and health with pure essential oils.

The self-care component of using these products is such a part of my wellbeing. I am so grateful to these amazing brands for creating products that are so pure, so effective and so beautiful. And because my products are natural and non-toxic, I can snuggle and hug my children knowing that they are being exposed to healthy ingredients as well.  

Tammy Fender Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil | Agent Nateur holi (stick) Natural Deodorant | Tata Harper Love Potion | Lurk Perfume Oil | Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo | Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner | Kapuluan Raw Organic Coconut Oil


FIND OUT MORE

WWW.ERIKABLOOMPILATES.COM | Instagram @erikabloompilates


As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless. They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

The Circle Game

Written by A Wild Dove | Photographed by Mel Blanchard

As a doula and spiritual counselor, Paula Mallis is aware of the transformative power that comes with helping women bring life into the world. So she decided to create a space for all women to serve as the physical embodiment of the birthing work she had been doing. The result is WMN Space, a conscious space for women to gather in service to their own healing. The intention of WMN Space is to support women, wherever they are on their journey through classes on women’s health, body work, therapy, spiritual counseling and workshops.

The space has resonated with women, not just near the Culver City abode, but all over Southern California. Her evening moon circles are known to draw a crowd from all over Los Angeles and beyond. We sat down with Paula, where she talked about her journey, these sacred circles and why self love is the best kind of love.

 

Can you describe your journey into becoming a Doula and opening WMN?

My journey into birth Doula work began as I was preparing for my own pregnancy. I found out I was pregnant the day before my Doula training began and the rest is history. After holding space for women in my home for over three years I felt called to take the work I was doing at home out into the world. That was the beginning of the creation of WMN SPACE. I was completely guided to create a space not only for pregnant women and mothers but for all women in service to their unique journey and healing.

We often ask people about their "trigger moments." It sounds like your pregnancy and the birth of your daughter had a lot to do with it for you. Can you share that experience with us?

Pregnancy and all of its shifts and challenges brought up in me a lot of triggers, but through my spiritual journey I was gifted the awareness that the triggers were all an opportunity for personal growth and healing. Once I shifted my perspective, my relationship towards pregnancy and birth began to change inwardly and outwardly, which allowed me the space for a transformational experience.

That makes a lot of sense. Your classes are very diverse in nature and age. How did you hone or curate the offerings for WMN Space? There must have been a lot to choose from in LA.

My intention is for all offerings at WMN SPACE to be fully in alignment with the intention of WMN SPACE. Offerings that are authentic, grounding and accessible to all women, wherever they are on their own journey.

What do you hope women will take from their sessions at WMN space that maybe they're not getting elsewhere?

I hope what women experience is more in connection to the authenticity to who they are. Feeling inspired, supported and empowered.

It must be difficult managing it all - a family, a business and now a new space...AND you give so much of you in your work. How do you do it?

SELF CARE!!!!! I have to put my self care and spiritual practice first. When I do that, I feel I can do it all without burning out.

Yes! Totally. So we love the idea of your Women's Circle's. Can you tell us more about it?

The Women's Circles are an opportunity to come together connect and share our experiences while practicing non-judgmental observation of ourselves and each other in a sacred safe space.

OK, now for the personal stuff. What is your favorite family ritual?

Morning breakfast and setting intentions for the day!

Speaking of, what's the first thing you do in the morning?

I wish I could say meditate. Sometimes that gets pushed back to the school parking lot after drop off, but on the weekends, meditate.

What's the last book you read with your daughter?

Little Bear :)

Love that one. And what's something most people don't know about conscious living or healing that would surprise them?

Conscious living is not for hippies! I think people think to live an aware or spiritual life it's about yoga poses or meditating for hours on end. To me living a conscious life is being "aware" and conscious of our choices, thoughts, actions and behaviors inwardly and outwardly.

What makes you fly?

LOVE


FIND OUT MORE

WWW.WMNSPACE.COM | 10764 Washington Blvd. 2nd Floor Culver City, LA | 310 570 9492

Jungle Cubs

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

As adults, we all often crave yoga - whether for exercise, circulation or taking a pause in our everyday lives. But what about children? Surely they too can benefit from the practice in ways we may have never imagined.

Except Eda Ozmen did. She has been teaching yoga to children for the last few years after realizing that her passion for the practice and teaching kids could be united. Eda first got her 200-hour teaching training at Down Dog Yoga in DC and immediately knew she wanted to share the practice with kids. She then attended a children's teacher training through a non profit program in Washington DC called YoKids before moving to New York. Now she is at one of our favorite yoga studios, the newly expanded Lyons Den Power Yoga, where she started the Power Cubs program last year with children ages 2-12 years old. Eda also is a certified corporate wellness specialist, bringing mindful and well being practices to the workplace.

We sat down with Eda to get the lowdown on downward dogging with the mini-set.

What do the children experience in the Power Cubs program?

At the Lyons Den, we teach kids the importance of developing healthy habits, how to pay attention and focus, as well as, to have compassion for themselves and others.

Power Cubs teaches the tools and principles of yoga in a way that is fun and accessible to children. We cultivate each student’s awareness of thoughts, emotions, body sensations, the surrounding environment and kindness to others.

Why is yoga so important and beneficial for kids?

The practices of yoga and mindfulness offer rich experiences that can profoundly impact the lives of young people by redirecting their energy in a positive way. Yoga provides a set of tools to cultivate a wide variety of experiences in mind-body awareness, self-regulation and physical fitness. Yoga at an early age creates positive health implications into adulthood, like  strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, focus, concentration, discipline, creativity, teamwork and a deeper connection to self and others.

What's the the best part about teaching kids?

The best part about teaching kids is experiencing how present and engaged they can be. I see that kids are more in tune with their feelings and emotions while practicing yoga (especially when I see them completely still in final resting pose), which has given me a whole new outlook on my own yoga practice.

 

What does teaching children teach you?

Teaching children is a lot harder than I imagined, but also extremely rewarding!

I have definitely learned to be more patient and mindful in my own actions and attention overall. Teaching them has taught me to practice without judgement, be present in the moment, not take life so seriously, and most importantly...to have fun!

The kids challenge me at times, but they’re also able to bring out the best in me.

Can you tell us about the philosophy behind Little Flowers 5 Elements?

In each class, I use the teaching model from Little Flowers 5 Elements of Yoga and Mindfulness: Connect, Breath, Move, Focus and Relax.

We play games, do coordination exercises and different activities that focus on the 5 elements below - 

 

CONNECT

 Connect activities foster connections for children internally and externally. They help students make sense of their own emotional experiences and also ground them in an awareness of their environment and the needs of others.

BREATHE

The breath is one of our most powerful tools for self determination, and teaching children that they have some control over their own emotional and energetic state is an empowering lesson.

Gaining control of the breath in a safe way can be extremely beneficial in helping children regulate their emotions and energy level.

MOVE

Yoga poses may be used in a variety of ways as tools to channel student's energy, improve their health, build their confidence and for many other purposes. A central tenet of our program is that no child will ever be forced or pressured into any posture that they feel uncomfortable with for any reason. The emphasis in our movement practice is on exploration, not competition.

FOCUS

Children are often asked to focus and rarely taught how.

Our focus activities are designed to allow children the capacity to experiment with what it means to focus and repeated practice noticing when their mind wanders and bringing it back to the task at hand.

RELAX

All students of any age will benefit from learning to relax and restore. Our children are exposed to an overwhelming amount of sensory stimulation,  chronically sleep deprived and generally have no idea how to calm themselves down. Relax activities provide the opportunity to rest both the body and the mind.

 

Eda's Vest & Leggings by Outdoor Voices

Callum's Vest & Shorts by The Animals Observatory


FIND OUT MORE

Power Cubs at Lyons Den Power Yoga | 279 CHURCH STREET, 3RD FLOOR, NYC | 646 490 8888

On International Women’s Day, We Celebrate The Class

Written by Lynn Levoy | Photographed by Jaimie Baird

I kept hearing so much about The Class that I just knew in my gut I would love it. That was two and a half years ago. I still remember how after first trying it out, I could hear Taryn’s voice inside my head all day. I realized then that this was more than just a “workout.” It was a an emotional and spiritual endeavor, which was exactly what I needed. And I haven’t looked back since.

I had always been a big runner and loved the gym, where I could spend hours. But after Callum was born, I had to be more efficient on every level. The Class is therapy. It allows me to approach my day stronger in every way - myself, my family, my friends, my business. It’s the only exercise that gives me that same running high and even more. It’s where in my voice, in my yelling, screaming, I can release. But just as importantly, Taryn’s words resonate with me. They empower me. As a woman and a mama, I value a space with no judgement and a community where we support and build each other up. After doing The Class regularly, I can see a difference in my everyday life. It gives me strength and forces me to look at all aspects of my life that needed change. And to boot, I can do Burpees for six minutes. Thank you TT!

The Class now has a new home, a recently opened studio in Tribeca. In partnership with interior designer Elizabeth Kohn of Elizabeth Kohn Design, as well as, interior designer and crystal healer, Rashia Bell, Taryn created a zen space featuring gorgeous marble slabs, flickering candles and pink-gray finishes. It’s a sublime gem set in the craziness of New York, where the cleansing, calming scent of Palo Santo wafts as you ascend the staircase.

Follow it to the third floor, to a sanctuary of calm with a soft palette of crystals everywhere! They’re even set into the floor to clear energy and renew balance and confidence. Moving through The Class on top of tourmaline, hematite, clear quartz, amethyst and rose quartz enhances the practice and cleanses. There’s also The Shop - a beautifully curated selection of must-have's like The Airelume Jewelry By Taryn Toomey, Moon Juice Dusts, Cinnamon Projects Incense Sets, Joanna Vargas SkinCare, Sun Potion Adaptogens, Smoke Perfume Essential Oils and bkr Water Bottles.

I am so inspired by Taryn and her teachers. I asked Courtney Deri, Lindsay Tyson and Jaycee Gossett to sound off on why The Class is so powerful and what inspires them.

How does The Class foster community among women?

Courtney - “What I believe The Class does, is gives us the complete freedom to express, explore wherever we are at on any given day. I think it creates the realization that we all have our baggage and are suffering in one way or another. That we all need to RELEASE that weight.”

Jaycee - “Our company culture is one of acceptance, equality and generosity of spirit. In addition to lengthening and strengthening the physical body, The Class method itself provides a mindful opportunity for deep cathartic release. We use movement and sound to witness and process intense emotions - this deep connection to self creates a doorway for one to connect outwardly in community. We bond in the self-strengthening process that occurs in that room.”

Lindsay - “Regardless of where we're coming from, we as women have more in common then we often realize. As I step into The Class again and again, I am beginning to see and feel and know that my pain, my joy and my healing is my own and that there is also so much commonality between what I'm feeling and what other women in the room are feeling.”

Courtney Deri

How does this workout speak to women?

Courtney - “It’s the ability to find and use sound to access your voice which is extremely empowering. Personally, I find it a lot easier to stand up for myself and speak up in times, where I would have used to just keep my mouth shut and suppress. It has been a game changer. I think it shows women how capable we are when we actually put our mind and energy towards something and to not let any type of label or preconception hold us back. The opportunities are ENDLESS.”  

Jaycee - “I think as women we can identify with other women's experiences and the idea that we know we are not alone in that room together or alone in our human journey is very comforting. To know we are all going through the exact same challenges, celebrations and changes creates a deep sense of humanity and community.”

Lindsay - “So many women (myself included) spend so much energy trying to look and act in a way that fulfills some nebulous idea about what it means to be female. We should be attractive but not intimidating; smart but yielding; opinionated but polite. It is often suggested to women that perhaps we should stay small - that making waves and making noise and going after what we want without apologizing is unsafe and unladylike. When we come to The Class, we are asked to pay attention to what we are feeling and we realize that our well of emotions runs deep and that so much of what we are feeling has been with us for a long time and is related to our desire to check all the right boxes.”

Jaycee Gossett

your favorite moment in class ?

Courtney - “I have so many moments that I am so in love with. But I would have to say my ultimate favorite is, right after the climax of the class, (where you are invited to run the sh*t out of your legs and make A LOT of sound) , and right before we move into the 'Heart Clearing.' There is such a beautiful moment of softness, of quiet, of vulnerability and rawness in the space. I tear up almost every time.”

Jaycee - “My favorite moment? Every moment of the 6,500 seconds.”

Lindsay - “My favorite moment in class is three-quarters into the first song. That give me enough time to get into my body, to build heat and then to see what's going on physically, mentally and emotionally. Even if I'm feeling rough, as I get into my body and my stuff, I can feel that I'm on the precipice of some kind of shift. To me, that feels simultaneously thrilling and like a relief.”

Lindsay Tyson

what inspires you ?

Courtney - “ALL the emotions, love, music, Buddhism, The Class by Taryn Toomey's community, anyone who at one point thought they couldn't and then they did.”

Jaycee -  “Everything. Living, experiencing, breathing, music, dancing, all of it. I am constantly marveled by the world around me and in me. I mean it's all pretty surreal isn't it?”

Lindsay - “I'm inspired by the women who teach The Class. And no one is suggesting that I say that! But this is a team of women who are committed to showing up, doing the work, laughing, dancing, crying and supporting each other. The Class is such a weird and wonderful journey and the women who I teach with are full of courage, humor, compassion and strength. Without them nudging me forward down this path, I'd have run away a thousand times.”

What makes you fly ?

Courtney - “Holding space for others to explore themselves and their process, to see the breakthroughs and to celebrate them after. It's truly ecstasy for me. Also a good belly laugh or an ugly cry.”

Jaycee - “Music blasting, body moving, deep breathing and lots and lots and lots of sweat.”

Lindsay - “A really good laugh - one that makes me clutch my belly and tear up - makes me feel like I'm flying. For these moments of flight, I rely on my mom, my sister and my dearest friends.”

 


FIND OUT MORE

www.Taryntoomey.com

Beauty Rituals - Joy Dushey

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove


For our first trip into the beauty lives of others, we hit up Joy Dushey, a member of The Flock and a holistic wellness coach behind The Joyful Approach. She opens up her beauty cabinet and talks her favorite products du jour.

 

My bathroom is my sanctuary of beauty, where spa-like colors of light ocean green mix with white marble that signal cleanliness and purity. In it, I keep my favorite candles, crystals and bath oils that are carefully and intuitively placed around my bathroom.

Living in New York can certainly be stressful, so after a long day, there’s nothing more soothing than coming home to a warm bath and cleansing my face from the pollutants it’s been exposed to throughout the day.

 

I keep my cabinet simple and organized with products that I use daily. When I turned 40, I freaked out and knew it was time to step up my game with skin care.

I sought out one of the best aestheticians in NY, Vicki Morav. Vicki’s philosophy of layering the skin with serums and nourishing it with moisture is vital to optimal healthy skin. It’s no wonder that Vicki herself is gorgeous and has the skin of a teenager. I was inspired so I invested in the best of products Vicki prescribed for me.

 

I use a milky cleanser to first wash my face with warm water and a sponge.

I can’t live without Lotion P50, a multi-purpose lotion that gently exfoliates and purifies the skin, helps moisturizes and rebalances the skin's pH. It removes dead cells and impurities. Next I use MBR Cross Lift Serum, also a game changer which promotes the synthesis of collagen smoothing out lines, plumping up the skin and making my skin feel youthful.

I use Biologique Recherche’s serum and elixirs like Amniotique to stimulate the cells and for extra hydration. Eye cream from Valmont is expensive but worth it for it renews the eye area with the most nourishing ingredients. I also apply on my upper lip and on smile lines..

Lastly, is the MBR Cream Extraordinary. This is probably my favorite product I’ve ever owned. It’s made with the richest ingredients and since I started using in it, my skin has felt quite amazing.

Cross Lift Serum Ultrapeptide by MBR | Cream Extraordinary by MBR | L'Elixir des Glaciers Vos Yeux Eye Treatment by Valmont | Lotion P50V by Biologique Recherche | Elastine Pure Serum Authentique by Biologique Recherche

 

 

My skin tends to get really dry, especially in the winter months no matter how much water I consume so I need to also spend some extra time hydrating my body.

After a shower, while my skin is still slightly damp, I apply Love Oil from Ayurvedic skin care Pratima. The nurturing ingredients of Sweet Almond Oil works with Lavender, Rose and Vanilla and hydrates and deeply softens the skin. The scents are divine!

I then use Kiehls creme de corp with soy butter and for a night out I’ll use the shimmering oil from Marula.

Lastly I spritz my body with either Erolfa from Creed (my signature scent) or L'Eau d'Hiver Frederic Malle that I recently started wearing and am loving.  

 

Marula Shimmering Gold Oil by African Botanics | Love Oil by Pratima | L'Eau d'Hiver by Frederic Malle



As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

Check Mate

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

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If you could do something for your kids that would increase their IQ, enhance their memory, verbal skills and critical thinking while fostering emotional intelligence and confidence, it would be a no-brainer.  Well, there is, and it’s hiding in the most unlikely of places.  It’s called chess. Yes, that chess.  And no, your kids are not too young to learn.  At least that’s what Tyler Schwartz and Jon Seiber realized when they introduced Chess at Three, an after-school program that teaches the game to kids as young as three through a powerful storytelling method.  Yes, the pieces spring to life, where kids learn sequencing, strategy, language and math all through connecting with the characters on the chess board. 

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We sat down with Chess at 3’s director of tutors, Harlan Alford to talk about the program and why storytelling is such a meaningful teaching mechanism.

Check it out below. 

 

Can you tell us how Chess at Three got started?

Chess At Three was created by Tyler Schwartz and Jon Sieber.  Tyler taught chess at the Village Chess Shop and was approached to teach chess to 3 year olds, an age younger than anyone has taught before.  After several lessons it was not working. His traditional attempts to teach chess were not affecting the children.  The kids were not having fun with the game.  So one day he made a story up about the piece that was super funny and had all the children cracking up.  The story simply told how the King moved.  The kids loved it.  They wouldn't stop talking about it that week.  So the school’s staff brought Tyler back.  And he did it again.  The kids fell in love with the game because they loved the stories and the characters.  Tyler brought Jon on to see what he was doing.  Jon is not a strong chess player but had been working with children for years.  Jon tried teaching a lesson through stories and it was fantastic.  This is the moment that I think is special.  Realizing that fun is the best way for young children to learn.  Games are important. We can teach them sequencing and strategy, how to win and lose and how to work on language and mathematics all in a fun lesson with silly teachers that love working with children.

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What was your “trigger moment” in the program’s development? 

Our trigger moment was when the stories were developed.  When we realized if we get children having fun playing chess they will fall in love with it. If we tell them stories and develop a world, they will dig into it to discover more and more.  The other trigger moment was when we realized that we didn’t have to be grandmasters to teach these kids.  We needed to be amazing storytellers. Stories are a powerful tool.  Being told what to do doesn’t help us absorb what we need to know or to do or how to play, but being set free in a world to discover it for ourselves does. And our teachers are incredible story tellers and creatives who make the game come alive. 

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That makes total sense. What are some of the benefits to teaching kids chess? Is there a good age to start? 

While people of all ages (3-93+) benefit from playing chess in a variety of ways, starting at a very young age can jumpstart early childhood development. We discovered that teaching chess at the surprising age of 3 is both possible and beneficial.  So we believe this is the best age to start.
 

Wow. That’s incredible! I'm sure the kids teach you a great deal as well. What have you learned the most from working with kids? 

Kids are the best!  Well I’ve personally learned that I’m not as sneaky as I thought I was.  They are very perceptive, not a lot gets past them.  I’ve also learned to be clear, intentional.  Kids don’t stand for insincerity. Having fun and being genuine is the best way to get anyone to listen. 

Yep, we would agree with that. Can you tell us what are some of the next big steps for Chess at Three? 

We will soon be rolling out our own chess board game. I know there are hundreds of them out there but ours is going to be completely different.  It will still keep the traditional chess pieces so kids can learn exactly what chess is, not just a version of it, but then we developed a way to incorporate our silly characters to the pieces as well.  And our stories will be attached.  It’s going to be super fun and helpful so that when a tutor is not around parents can play with their kids and everyone can have a blast.

 

 


We’re sure we’ll learn a thing or two as well! Lastly, what makes you fly?

Figuring out how creativity and strategy can come together and provide something for people.  I believe we are doing that.  We want to help parents get their children ahead.  Chess is the best way to do that.  It has all the ingredients to make the best brain and I believe we have created a learning experience that allows kids at a very young age to gobble up good learning tactics.  Every day is my favorite day of the week when you get to play games and tell stories!


Find Out More

www.chessat3.com


FASHION CREDITS

On Callum | Striped Top and Zip Up Jacket by Trico Field | JEANS by I Dig Denim | High Tops by Supra

 On Gabi | T-Shirt and Zip Up Jacket by Beau Loves UK | JEANS by I Dig Denim | High Tops by Supra


Calm Your Chemistry

Written by Erika Bloom & Photographed by A Wild Dove

Balancing stress is vital in the path to creating healthy lives for ourselves and our children. Stress is a chemical cascade in the body caused by mental or physical demands. Therefore this balance begins and ends with addressing the pharmacy already inside of our bodies.

Our stress hormone, cortisol, regulates and modulates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stresses. Produced by our adrenals, it ensures homeostasis and many other functions that contribute to our bodies feeling good, looking good, and thriving. Its wide ranging influences include immune responses, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, inflammatory responses, metabolism and central nervous system function. The level of “stress” that we are experiencing in any given moment, regardless of the stressor, has to do with the amount of cortisol created by our bodies.

While it is one of nature’s most brilliant achievements, the hormone is now being called to manage all forms of stress for which it was never designed, from an argument with your spouse or child, to a malfunction of your computer. It is activated so often that the body does not always have a chance to return to normal. This can lead to health problems resulting from too much circulating cortisol and/or from too little cortisol if the adrenal glands become chronically fatigued. Abnormal cortisol levels can make you tired, fat, sick, and depressed.

Our focus on regular, moderate exercise and healthy eating can be undermined by not managing stress. Every choice we make informs the direction of our nervous system and our corresponding cortisol levels. Everything from how we think, to the quality of our sleep, to the people we surround ourselves with, matters. Inversely, physical stressors, such as aggressive exercise and unhealthy eating habits can cause us more stress.

However your stress is brought on, chronically marshaling extra energy for the immune fight or flight response tends to undermine your overall health and vitality. As a mom, I know that my stress level affects my children both in how I engage with them and how they respond. Our children feel our stress, regardless of how we are behaving, and it can affect their ability to learn and feel good.

Every moment you spend with your child, you are either stimulating healthy chemicals in your child’s body and brain, or you are stimulating unhealthy stress chemistry. Moms and dads can sometimes unintentionally cause an increase in their child’s unhealthy stress chemicals, which can contribute to learning, behaviour or mood problems. Therefore, reducing your stress level and increasing the healthy chemistry flowing through your body and brain is a major parenting responsibility.

There are many healthy rituals we can instate as a family to help manage stress. When it comes to creating a balanced, mindful life for ourselves and families, the question becomes “What are we prioritizing?” For my own family, I have daily rituals and tools on hand to help us slow down, find moments of calm, and bring us back into balance.

 
 
 

 

 

Tone up and tune in with conscious, challenging movement you enjoy to help lower your cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate. 

 

 

Practices such as Pilates, yoga, walking, and swimming help you  connect your body to your breath. With these disciplines, you’re working smarter not harder to strengthen and align the body, as you effectively calm the mind.

 


Sleeping and waking at the same time every day is ideal. Aim for at least 7 hours.

Experiment with a digital detox before bed. Remove all electronics from your room and limit your exposure to blue light in the evening. Create a bedtime routine for the family to transition into relaxation and a sweeter slumber. Brush teeth, put on pajamas in a natural fabric, place a drop of lavender essential oil on the soles of your and your children's feet and give them a foot massage, and read relaxing books.


Let thy food be thy medicine.

Start your day with a big breakfast such as eggs, spinach, avocado, and a piece of gluten free toast. Eat regular meals throughout the day to balance your blood sugar. Swap stimulating coffee for green smoothies or Tulsi (Holy Basil) tea for its calming effects. Moderate your alcohol, dairy, gluten, and refined sugar.


 
 

Negative thoughts or imagined threats can have the same harmful impact as real threats. By turning moments of stress into calm responses, we are able to recognize that we are the chooser of our thoughts. Instead of our usual stress reactions, we can start to move in a direction of elegance and positivity.

Take time daily to list what you're grateful for.

 


Think about what brings you pleasure and find even just a few minutes a day to set aside time for you.

Take a break to drink tea, meditate, chat with friends or organize your desk. Try techniques such as dry-brushing, hot epsom salt baths, acupuncture and massage. They help to increase blood flow and stimulate dopamine to lower cortisol.


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Spend time with family. Activities like cuddling, reading books. singing songs, listening to music, free movement, dance parties, art projects, cooking and playing with pets all stimulate feelings of happiness. 

Be creative. Every time you laugh with your kids, play a fun game or participate in an entertaining activity, you are stimulating neurochemicals that improve your children’s ability to be happy.  

 
 

Also, spending time outdoors has the power to heal and restore us. When we walk through nature, breathe fresh air, and take in Vitamin D, we feel calmer as it boosts our sense of wellness and supports the immune system. In fact, in Japan, it’s called “forest bathing.” Head out and explore, even if you're in an urban setting. Getting out early in the morning even helps reset healthy circadian patterns.



As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

 

Mama Said - Eva Alexandridis

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

What on earth could a plastic surgeon have in common with astronauts?
Not much, we would assume. Well, fortunately for our skin, Dr. Yannis Alexandridis realized quite a bit.

When the London-based plastic surgeon started his practice, he couldn’t find skincare that would help heal his patients’ skin effectively following cosmetic procedures. In continuing his research, he found that skin ages faster in space due to environmental extremes and sought to collaborate with scientists responsible for astronauts’ well-being. Enter 111 Skin, a performance-driven skincare line that uses a special patented formula in its highly coveted, sell-out serums, masks and creams that we are obsessed with.

Speaking of obsession, Dr. Alexandridis’ wife Eva, who runs the business side of 111 Skin, is an inspiration in her own right. She’s hip, global and is the perfect physical manifestation of what space-age skincare can do. Not to mention, she’s a Mama balancing it all. We sat down with Eva to chat work, skincare and how she puts family first.

CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH HOW IT OCCURRED TO YOU TO CONNECT SKINCARE WITH ASTRONAUTS? A SEEMINGLY UNLIKELY CONNECTION, NO?

Your skin ages faster in space because of environmental extremes. For that reason, Dr. Alexandridis sought to collaborate with space scientists responsible for the well-being of astronauts. Our aims were essentially the same – creating a formula to protect, repair, prevent aging and nourish the skin. The key ingredient in our NAC Y² formula, N-Cystine, is an essential amino acid given to astronauts to delay damage from environmental extremes and radiation.

WOW. OK THAT MAKES SENSE. WHAT WAS IT LIKE COLLABORATING WITH SPACE SCIENTISTS? CAN YOU GIVE US A PEEK INTO THAT INITIAL CONVERSATION?

It was very exciting. It was great to work with an extremely talented and a knowledgeable group of people who understood our aims and needs of what we were looking to create. Astronauts need to have the most effectives formulas to cope in extremely harsh conditions – there is higher radiation, and no gravity – both accelerate aging and that needs to be balanced off with proper supplements.

THAT SOUNDS HARSHER THAN LIVING IN NEW YORK! WAS THERE A “TRIGGER MOMENT” IN CREATING 111 SKIN? OR DID IT HAPPEN OVER TIME?

In the beginning, my husband had no intention of creating a skincare range. He created the Y Theorem Repair Serum to help patients heal after surgery; it was a small little bottle that he would give complementary to clients in his clinic after they had surgical or nonsurgical treatments, but many were coming back and asking for more. It became almost impossible to stock, so he decided to create a range for everyone to use.

 

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS IN FIGURING OUT THE EXACT INGREDIENTS FOR THE NAC Y² ? DID YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT SHOULD BE INVOLVED OR WAS IT PURE TRIAL AND ERROR?

We had an initial idea but we worked closely with the space scientists and after a few revisions came up with the perfect ingredients. The key amino acid is the ingredient that is used in space to delay negative environmental conditions. The potent form of Vitamin C – Ascorbil Phosphate was suggested by Dr. Alexandridis, as it is a star antioxidant that can treat acne on the surface, stimulate collagen and also has skin-whitening abilities.

 

AND WHAT ABOUT GLUTATHIONE...SOUNDS LIKE A MIRACLE WORKER. HOW DID YOU HAPPEN UPON IT OR IS IT SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR A LONG TIME?

As a medical student in the U.S. training to be a surgeon, Dr. Alexandridis administers Glutathione injection for liver failure so he knew it was vital for life. It plays an important protection role by neutralizing harmful free radicals and repairing cells.

That’s incredible. OK now for some Fun questions. Can you take us through a typical day in terms of your diet and wellness regimen?

I start everyday with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice; it’s such a refreshing wake-up that gets me energized for the day ahead. After a proper breakfast of granola or fruit, I usually walk my youngest to school for some quality time together. Right after school drop off I have either a quick run or a 30 min workout session at home (using fitness DVD’s). Sadly I do not have one whole hour to dedicate to a gym session and that is why I discovered the DVD’s-they travel with me everywhere as it is so easy to do 30 minutes anytime. I do try to have a work lunch. I love dark chocolate and have a bit every day. Dinners are usually at home with the kids, healthy recipes following the Mediterranean diet, lots of fresh fish and grass fed meat and always variety of veggies.

What’s your favorite ritual with your family?

My husband and I work in close proximity to each other, my office is around the corner from his Harley Street Clinic. We try and see each other for a quick lunch once or twice a week and in the evenings we spend time with our two sons and stay off email and phones to avoid being distracted by work issues. Family holidays are always set in advance and never changed for work related issues. Skiing in February and sailing in the Greek islands are a yearly occurrence. Recently we started diving. My 11 year old son, my husband and I dive together while our 6 year old stays on the surface snorkeling. Luckily he sees just as much exciting corals as we do in the deep waters.

Love that. What’s your “therapy?”

Spending time with friends and family. Family is so important and watching my sons grow up and planning activities for us to do is what makes me most happy.  I also love to take time out to go for a run, having previously trained as an athlete, taking time to exercise clears my head and prepares me for the day. Our new addition, a Jack Russell, allows us all to hang out more together as a family, as we go for long walks in the park together.

You're stranded on a desert island, what are you five must-haves?

My husband, kids, Y Theorem Repair Serum, music and champagne.

What makes you fly?

Seeing my kids laugh for no reason and seeing my business grow with the help of my very young and talented team.


FInd out More

www.111skin.com

Our Modern Day Healer - Angela Shore & Jiva-Apoha

Written by A Wild Dove 

 

Angela Shore came into our world like a beam of light that warmed us from within.

This was six years ago and she was in the process of starting her Ayurvedic oil brand Jiva-Apoha and gave us some samples to try. In one fell swoop, we were hooked.

(Personal favorite? Atman, meaning spirit. It’s calming, grounding and purifying). Since then Angela has touched so many lives with her oils and her presence. Her seasoned past, having studied Ayurveda in Kerala and working under a master healer and seasoned medicine woman for 15 years, comes through in every product.

She is truly healer in her own right, whose oils help others find peace, relief and answers. 

We are honored to feature Angela and Jiva-Apoha as she embodies everything A Wild Dove is all about.

Read on as she shares her beautiful journey below -

Full disclosure - We love your oils. So naturally we’d love to know how you were introduced to oils and the impact they've had on your life….

I became a believer in using plant and essential oils almost 30 years ago, tapping into anything that was cutting edge in alternative healing for the body. I learned how to cook with root vegetables, spices and herbs; it all went hand in hand in recognizing the choices that offered good health. Back then I did my first cleanse, detox, and had a strict vegetarian diet for some time. It was truly the beginning to feel the difference in shedding layers physically and mentally which brought me to finding my spirituality.

Amazing. And what benefits can modern women receive from having these oils in their life? How about Ayurveda in general?

Prevention is a modern way in caring for ourselves. The more we educate, gain knowledge, practice ancient remedies and treat our skin with the best oils, the more we can achieve in feeling better with a peace of mind. Skincare is body care, which is a personal love in healing. In Ayurveda, it’s normal to oil the body for 20 minutes before rinsing which is traditional. In the West, it’s more common that people may not have enough time to practice, so it’s easier to have an oiling body ritual as a steady grab as soon as you step out the bath or shower, which in return allows the oil to absorb right away in the pores, gives the body what it needs by receiving nutrients, nourishes the tissues, organs, and gives an overall glowing physical appearance in moisturizing.

Can you tell us how you create the oils?

Jiva-Apoha oil blends are created with a feeling that resonates a story; each chosen oil essentially make up’s the unique healing properties. A day in the lab requires devoted attention as each is bottle is made by hand with clarity. It’s a soothing joyful rhythm; where energy exudes within on the receiving end.

I treat each order as a personal healing.

 

Speaking of clarity what's your definition of balance?  

Happiness.

How do you maintain it?

Keeping a healthy routine by positive choices, working with good diet and supplements and letting go of what no longer serves energetically. Time is of essence and I choose to surround myself with people who live for creating happy moments.

 

Love that. Can you describe your favorite ritual of the week?

Going to a quiet place within, sometimes with bodywork or a visit in nature.

And where, when and with whom do you feel most alive?

I’m stimulated in extreme environments - from sensory overload in cities to driving through the desert, to experiencing other cultures. I get a rush in the journey itself exploring new places and travels. I’m most alive when I work with the divine.

Can you describe your journey in launching Jiva-Apoha and any mistakes you've made along the way that have helped you grow? Do you have any lessons to impart?

It’s a learning process as every business has its ups and downs. I started Jiva-Apoha on credit. In some ways it’s been challenging, which in retrospect has brought me more personal growth in the making. I just want to continue building solid relationships and doing good business with others who are in full support of where Wellness can lead to down the road.

Ok, switching gears. What is your spirit animal?

Cheetah.

WHO ARE YOUR DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS AND WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SETTING?

At this very moment; Barack and Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Winona LaDuke, Mark Ruffalo, LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Mavis Staples, Neil Young, Susan Sarandon, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Anthony Bourdain, Gloria Steinem, Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Viola Davis, Leo DiCaprio and Dalai Lama.
We’re sitting in a rustic farm setting with lush rolling hills on a private tropical island surrounded by turquoise blue water.

That sounds heavenly. And how has music shaped your path? What's your greatest music memory?

Music has opened my heart and keeps my spirit alive in motion all these years. I have many great music memories. As a young kid I started going to shows but one vivid memory in 1977, I snuck through backstage with my Uncle Ricky at Fleetwood Mac concert during their Rumours tour. I remember my heart beating fast and sliding past security while Mick Fleetwood was on the longest drum roll.   

What makes you fly?   

Benevolence


Angela Shore - Photographed by Martin Sobey | Jiva Apoha Products -  Photographed by Eric White & Styled by Lynn Levoy


FIND OUT MORE

www.jivaapoha.com

The Art of Smudging

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

There was a brief period in time when my kids suspected I was smoking weed in my bedroom.

They didn't know what I was up to, but the smell of me burning sage or ‘SMUDGING” before my mediations was something new for them. Today, Smudging is a consistent practice I do in my home and whenever I travel. Smudging, or the burning of certain herbs, has a rich spiritual past that’s originated in the Native American culture. The intentional act of of smudging is believed to cleanse negative energy, purify and protect in a place, object or person.

Many differing cultures have their own methods and herbal mixtures for this purpose. Smudging, when done correctly, can bring physical, spiritual and emotional balance. If you are someone sensitive to energy and the vibration around you, you will notice a difference of clarity in your environment after smudging.

When to Smudge

- Clearing energy when moving into a new space. We never know who was in the space prior so it’s important to cleanse the space and banish unwanted energies.

- After an argument or leftover bad feelings. (After any sad or traumatic events)

- Routinely weekly cleansing

HERBS 

Sage is the most commonly used herb for smudging. The smoke of  sage is intended to heal and purify the mind, body, and environment and clear negative energy. Sage also has a calming effect on our nerves, so it is particularly useful if we’re feeling nervous, angry, or our space feels that type of energy is lingering.

Cypress and Juniper works both as a purifier and as a way to attract good energy in your direction.

Palo Santo is known as the “holy wood/stick.” Palo santo is derived from specific trees found in the South American rainforests of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Peru and has been used for most of known history for a variety of healing. This includes medicines, native ceremonies and especially in Incan culture, spiritual clearing of a space, crowd or person. Palo Santo is a personal favorite scent I love and I keep it burning throughout my home.

Design Your Own
I create my own sage bundles with rose petals and a variety of loose flowers for holiday gifts. I love the way look setting out with my collection of crystals.

 
 

Practice

Set your intention before you light your sage. Be clear about what it is your soul is wanting and as you burn your herbs, you can either say your intention firmly or recite a mantra to ask the negative energies to leave and bring light and love into your space. Make it personal to whatever it is you are desiring.

Open a window to allow the negative energies out and light the smudge stick or pick off one leaf to burn. Once the flame ignites quickly blow it out.

Waft the smoke first around yourself either from head to toe or from the bottom up.I like to make sure I get to all of my chakras.

Next, smudge around the space (make sure to get the corners of the areas where it holds stagnant energy). You can use a feather to waft the smoke in a clockwise direction, or you can use your hand as well. You can place the herb in a fireproof vessel while mediating and setting intentions. (please make sure the flame is down)

Smudging objects is important, especially crystals to make sure they are purified before practices. And, as someone who loves vintage shopping, I always smudge my purchases when I bring them home.


Rockstar Teenagers - Sophie Kos

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

We often read about the benefits of yoga to help us destress, find our centers, connect with mindful living. There’s also been a lot of research that supports how helpful it is for children to prevent ADHD, anger and anxiety. But what about pre-teens and teenagers? Those whose hormones are through the roof, those who are at “that age” and discovering themselves at the cross section between childhood and adulthood?  Sophie Kos, 16, questioned that too.

A New York native, she started practicing yoga when she was 11 years old to help with anxiety disorders and learning disabilities. “I was taken out of school by my parents to heal from very severe dyslexia and anxiety,” says Sophie. “I was not in a great place and I was barely doing any type of movement at all.  I was about to be put on medication but my parents decided to hire a private yoga instructor.” Sophie’s mother and father (designer Jay Kos) hired a woman named Katrina Foy, who Sophie started working with weekly. While she was challenged in the beginning, after a few months her passion for yoga and movement came through.  Fast forward five years, and Sophie is a certified full-time instructor. With her parents’ blessing, she dropped out of school and earned her 200 hour certification from Ishtar Yoga and is currently working on her 300 hour certification. She is specializing in helping teens like herself use yoga toward through everyday battles of life. We sat down with this rockstar teenager to talk about her path, her family and how she hopes to help others like herself - 

 

Wow, so you’re 16 and teaching yoga. Amazing.

Can you describe how yoga has helped shaped the path to where you are now?

Over the years I have suffered from a lot of anxiety and learning challenges and was always trying to escape what I felt.  But yoga teaches you to focus inward and listen to whatever feelings may be coming up then to create some space between them and then you go from there. I decided to start this teen yoga class because I know that yoga can be very beneficial to teens since it is a time where there is so much stress from school, hormones, and more. It’s so easy to lose your individuality in our very “by the book society” that we so easily get stuck just moving through the motions. So I wanted to create a space where we can really focus inward on what you need and what your intentions are.  

So true. And why do you think you resonated so much with yoga? Did you try other things in the past that you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?

I think what really resonated with me was how individualized the yoga practice can be.  There is really no right or wrong way to do yoga or what your yoga practice needs to look like or feel like.  I have always had a very hard time feeling comfortable in my body and yoga has really helped me with that as well.  I have always loved fitness and working out and still do. I have tried almost everything - pilates, barre, cardio classes, running, cycling, boxing. I love a lot of these things as well, as long as I balance them out with yoga.  

For me yoga has been something that I can do when I am feeling overly stressed, anxious, down or even if I can’t sleep.  I think it has made me less of a nervous person as well.  One of the major things is that I feel like it has made me way more in touch with my body and what I’m feeling.  I also feel that I listen to pain or symptoms in my body with a lot more respect than I used to.  I used to push myself at the gym way past my limit and now when I feel something I know to stop or take a step back.  

 
 

It’s incredible how self-aware you are, more than most adults! So when you have time, what are some of your favorite things to do besides yoga?

I love to go to other fitness classes at The Circuit of Change and The Class is a recent discovery. I love to take bike rides on the Hudson River with my mom, family dinners when my dad cooks, family walks around the West Village on the weekends...I love fashion, putting on essential oils, playing with my dog.

Family time is so special. Speaking of which, how have your parents played a role through your journey?

My parents have played a huge role in my journey by allowing me to drop out of high school and always supporting the decisions that I make. They helped me get internship and introduced me to people in the fashion/fitness industry to help me get jobs and network. And just always giving me great advice and protecting me.  I seriously couldn’t and wouldn’t be in the place I am in without them.  

 
 

AWW. LOVE THAT! OK NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF. WHAT WOULD YOUR HIP HOP NAME BE?

“Yo Gee”

PERFECT.. AND WHAT'S YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?

A black panther.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC?

I love a lot of different kind of music but my favorite is Alternative and Rap...some of my favorite artists are  Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, Sia, Frank Ocean, Jay Z, Kygo, Regina Spektor, Eminem.  

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP ?

Mind Body - I love working out and trying new classes so it helps me book different workout classes and try new things.

LASTLY, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA POSE?

Pigeon pose with a bolster.


SOPHIE'S TEEN YOGA CLASS IS OFFERED 2:00 - 3.15 PM ON SUNDAYS AT BOWERY YOGA

FIND OUT MORE

WWW.BOWERYYOGA.COM