OMG. I Can Meditate! {and You Can Too!}

Today's discussion is sponsored by OMG. I Can Meditate! Inc.

Okay guys, this self-proclaimed Chatty-Cathy has a secret to share: I'm learning to embrace silence and I'm enjoying every single second of it. I always thought that I was the type that just couldn't enjoy silence, I even have been caught saying that I could never quiet my mind enough to meditate. But I was wrong, even with my racing thoughts and busy schedule, with this new meditation app I realized "OMG. I can Meditate!", conveniently enough OMG. I Can Meditate! is also the name of the app!

Meditation guided by OMG. I Can Meditate! is truly a life transforming practice. Whether I'm trying to settle my nerves about an upcoming event or just wanting to unwind after a stressful day, I love being able to relax my body and my mind so simply. Learning mindfulness and meditation techniques has never been easier and with Lynne Goldberg as my daily meditation coach, it's almost like I'm attending the most epic version of a self-help class available on the market.

No worries, though - This isn't exactly a class, there won't be homework. It's just 10 minutes (or more, it's your choice which guided meditation you practice) of meditation a day and that short amount of time will change your life. Instead of grabbing a latte at the coffee place down the street, take that extra 10 minutes out of your day today to meditate with Lynne from OMG. I can Meditate, you won't regret it.

The thing I love about Lynne and OMG I can Meditate is that she isn't one of those wishy-washy weirdos, but a real person that makes you feel comfortable while learning how to let go. Her voice is soothing with just the right amount of pep to draw you in and keep you focused throughout your meditation.

Anyone can learn to meditate and with so many different guided meditations, there's certainly a program made for you! Parenting can be easier, opening your heart to new situations can be calming, and so many other possibilities.

I also love that with meditation I have learned to have more patience while also learning to be kinder and more aware of those around me. I'm learning to let go of things I can't control and I've noticed a huge difference in the amount of anxiety I experience.I guess you could say this app has helped me learn to overcome obstacles, in more than one way.

 If you're a regular reader of the blog, you may have read recently that we're trying to conceive. I'm doing everything I can to prepare my mind and body for a baby and I love using this app to de-stress. Allowing myself to really get "in touch" with my body has been an amazing journey and I'm so excited to see how daily meditation affects me during this process, whether it helps with my hormone levels or not, and I absolutely can't wait to experience meditation once we finally conceive! Finding inner peace and learning to love my body, no matter what, has been an amazing benefit of this app while going through this time in our lives.

It's pretty amazing how 10 minutes of time has changed how I function through out the day; this app has changed how I interact with others to how my body is coping with stress. I even use OMG. I Can Meditate to help me fall asleep and to help wake me up, every single day. Now I know what you're thinking? How much is this going to cost me? The coolest part about all of this positive change in my life is that it was free and that you can experience the change in your life for free as well. Plus, If you're feeling fancy, you can always upgrade to a premium membership plan to unlock additional meditations and some amazing tools, all of this starting monthly at $12.95 and yearly at $89.95.

So are you wanting to learn how to meditate to help calm your nerves? Seeking inner peace in this crazy world we live in? I highly recommend that you download the app and start your daily meditation program today, since it's free... you have nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain! So go ahead, download the app, and make the time for a few minutes of pure, unadulterated meditation time today (and every day).

My Passion for Yoga! #InternationalYogaDay #GoCommando

Yoga has always been my favorite way to get active, there's just something about that moment when you finally feel the relief from your day in the deep stretch of a backbend or the second when you can feel your body relaxing, while also feeling the intense rush from a headstand. Yoga is my way of letting my mind unwind while allowing my body to stretch, the perfect way to chill out after a long day.

Another reason that I love yoga so much is a bit silly, but who doesn't love the attire involved in yoga practice! Nothing could be more comfortable than yoga pants and a lose fitting tank top... without anything else on! I'm all about going commando while in my favorite yoga pants, but that also means I need to feel clean - that's why I choose to use Cottonelle. Maybe you haven't tried Cottonelle's wet+dry system yet? You can get a FREE personalized sample kit right now, don't miss your chance!

I'm super excited that International Yoga Day is quickly approaching, just another fun reason to practice yoga regularly and share my passion with the world! Most recently I shared my love for yoga with my niece while visiting for her birthday party, she just turned two and loves learning new poses and keeps asking to learn more. She's got a bit of a wild streak but loves yoga, just like me... I think I may have found myself a new best friend and yoga buddy.

With summer approaching quickly as well, it's time to start working on beach bodies and yoga is the answer! After my most recent visit home and being asked a handful of times about my yoga routine from siblings and friends, I feel confident in saying that I think I've finally found my "sport". Yoga isn't just a sport or activity for fitness in my life though; Yoga is a way of life, a daily routine, and my safe place a lot of days. If you don't have that in your life, I think now is the time to check out how yoga practice can help you transform in so many different ways.

Now that I've shared my passion for yoga and my love for Cottonelle, I'd love to hear how you find peace in the madness? Are you into yoga or more into the idea of yoga while wearing yoga pants and drinking a glass of wine? Either way, let's be friends! (Just a reminder, since we are friends after all: don't forget to grab your free personalized kit here!)

Help Increase Creativity with Yoga & Meditation - Aurorae Yoga #HolidayGiftGuide

As you've probably observed, I'm a huge fan of yoga and I love sharing my passion for yoga. I hosted the Everybody Yoga Challenge in September and it was an amazing experience, watching all the participants share their photos was inspirational to me... not just because each and every one of the women that participated are amazing yogini's, which is so very true. It was inspirational because those women that were new to yoga seemed to really embrace the challenge and I learned things from them.

During the challenge I learned some amazing lessons and they have changed the way I view myself and my yoga practice. The main thing I learned from these ladies is that we are all our own worst critic, so just a little note - "Hey you, quit being so hard on yourself; you're awesome". I also learned a good mat makes a huge difference in my ability to get into poses, I did almost every pose for the challenge outdoors without a mat and that got sticky at times.

I'm so excited I was given the chance to work with Aurorae Yoga this month. Their Northern Lights Yoga Mat and their meditation candles are two amazing gifts for those in your life that love yoga or even those that are seeking balance in their life. Yoga has so much more than just the obvious physical benefits, it's therapeutic to the soul. Practicing yoga will leave most people feeling rejuvenated and happy. It doesn't necessarily have to be a spiritual thing, but it can be... It doesn't have to be a high intensity session, but it can be... It doesn't have to be "hot" yoga, but it can be... The point I'm trying to make here is that it's your yoga; that's what Aurorae Yoga believes anyways.

A video posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀lauren paints🎨 (@sunkissed_sweetheart) on Nov 11, 2014 at 1:23pm PST

Aurorae Yoga makes products for the everyday yogi and the newbie. The level of experience you have doesn't matter, they just want to encourage everyone not to feel intimidated or uncomfortable. It's all about relaxing and enjoying your yoga practice in their opinion and that's why they make products designed to help you do just that.

As I sat meditating after yoga today on my Northern Lights Yoga Mat with my Vanilla Compassion meditation candle, I really felt inspired. I have so many ideas running through my head now that I need to make a list of them all, before meditating I felt like I had writer's block. It's no joke, meditating can make you more creative... According to a Dutch study conducted in 2012 certain meditation techniques can promote creative thinking and open monitoring meditation, the type in which you don't have an exact focus but let ideas flow freely, has shown to increase creativity the most.

So instead of providing you with mantras to chant, I'm going to just encourage you to relax & enjoy and spoil yourself with high quality products from Aurorae Yoga!

Namaste.

Interested in scoring a yoga mat or a meditation candle for yourself or another person in your life?  Find out more about Aurorae Yoga!

While I was provided with products by Aurorae Yoga to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed are my own.

Spirit Lockets: Cute and Customizable Lockets for Everyone!

Spirit Lockets are super cute and customizable necklaces and bracelets suited for everyone's taste. They provided me with a locket for myself and a yoga challenge participant in exchange for an honest review. I'm actually an affiliate for the company and their links can be found on my site... Regardless, I only recommend products that I think will benefit my readers.

Spirit Lockets are just the coolest. I absolutely love everything about the bracelet they sent me. The locket face is covered in rhinestones and is absolutely beautiful with a huge window to hold all of my charms. I decided to get a Yin&Yang charm to remind me to always be at peace and the airplane charm because I have a pretty strong case of wanderlust plus two gems just to make it shine and with it's newest addition the brand new "Yoga" Om charm (not pictured above, but seen in the necklace below) this bracelet is soooo me and I love wearing it. Placing charms that mean something to me is the most fun part of having a locket like this... I hope to add and exchange charms soon too. Maybe a painters palette will be my next charm?

I was lucky enough to be able to provide one awesome participant in my yoga challenge with a locket from Spirit Lockets and a chain actually purchased outside of Spirit Lockets, sadly the chain they sent me was short enough to make the necklace a choker... *awkward*. Now I've resolved the short chain issue with a third party vendor and the winner will receive a chain that will fall approximately to her bust or below; a much more desirable length! My fault for not observing lengths when chosing the winner's prize. Anyways, the winner's locket is wonderful and turned out perfectly; that is all that really matters to me. The locket features a white detail on the edges and a beautiful, large open window. I chose charms for the winner based on our mutual interest in yoga and I hope she loves her necklace. She will receive a necklace with the same Om and Ying-Yang charm I mentioned above, as well as an adorable teal bird charm, a rose charm, some rhinestones, and a strength dangle as a reminder of how strong she is.

Spirit Lockets are the most adorable necklaces and make the perfect gifts - you may even want to include one of these in your favorite fashionista's stocking this year!

You can {shop the look here}.

I've notified the winner of the yoga challenge that she won this gorgeous necklace and a painting and I'm waiting for her to confirm before officially announcing!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

The BEST Yoga pants I've ever owned: Luna Jai Athletics

I've shared my love of yoga pants in the past, but my infatuation with this item of clothing just reached a whole new level. I've found the most comfortable athletic pants ever and I have to share my secret with you...

I have friends that swear by lulu's or whatever brand they like at the time, but the other brands don't compare to Luna Jai Athletics.
 

Luna Jai has the most comfortable pants, with the Wik-Fit Fabric technology and the Ultimate Fit Waist Lock they fit to my body unlike any other pants. I love that the pants feel like they are painted on and I actually wear them for all sorts of activities; from running to practicing dance moves, these pants are comfortable enough for all kinds of fun.

The designs are so funky and unique, I own the Brush Waves Shorts,  the Cosmic Wink Yoga Pants, and the Vineyard Scroll Yoga Pants. Each item went above and beyond my expectations, the prints were so perfect and the beautiful colors haven't faded a bit with several washings! I'm actually so in love with the pants, I've become an ambassador for the company.So, if you want to score a pair of Luna Jai Athletic pants or shorts, use the code "LAURENH" to get 10% off your order!  

One lucky #EverybodyYoga Challenge participant has been notified that she WON a pair of these babies and an awesome Yoga mat from +Gaiam, I'm waiting to hear back and will officially announce the winners of the challenge soon!

#EveryBodyYoga Day 30 - Star Pose

Today is the final day of the #EveryBodyYoga Challenge!

{Star Pose}

Star Pose stretches and lengthens your body in all directions all at once. It helps align your spine correctly, which helps to improve your posture and reduces back and shoulder pain. When practiced correctly, Star Pose will utilize every single muscle in your body. It strengthens the legs, ankles, abdomen, and back. Since your body is so outstretched you are providing more space for your lungs and heart which helps improve circulation and respiration.

This Super Star pose has all kinds of benefits - the perfect way to close out our challenge!

This pose is pretty simple and so very enjoyable! You'll begin by stepping your feet 3 to 4 feet apart, a distance that feels comfortable but still provides a nice stretch. Pointing your feet forward, spreading your toes, and balancing your weight evenly on your feet; Keep your knees soft and turn your tailbone under and contract your buttocks and hamstrings. Lift your arms up to shoulder height and out to your sides. Keep your hands in line with your arms, contract your ab muscles and as you lift your chest, pull your shoulders back and send your shoulders blades down your back.

Namaste!

I can't even believe the challenge is over! This month has flown by so fast and I've loved hosting the #EveryBodyYoga challenge so very much - it's always fun to learn, explore, and grow and this challenge has helped me do all of the above! I learned all kinds of things including several benefits of yoga poses that I was unaware of! I also learned that I can be really passionate about something and inspire others; that's pretty freaking cool in my book. I was able to explore new places around my city this month and I explored new yoga poses with the challenge participants. I grew out of my shell a bit, practicing yoga in wild places and I truly grew my yoga practice this month - they say if you want to learn something well then you should teach it; hosting a yoga challenge applies here too, I think.

I hope that you have taken the time to like all of our sponsors at some point through out the month,

if not then you definitely should today. You'll have the chance to win one of the awesome prizes!

Winners will be announced soon.

There will be THREE lucky winners:

ONE winner will receive the LUSH Cosmetics "You're a star" prize package! {RV: $75}
This prize includes 8 awesome items from Lush Cosmetics, these products are all celebrity recommended and absolutely amazing!

and

ONE winner will receive a pair of Luna Jai athletic leggings {RV: $69}
& a Gaiam Pink Ribbon Yoga mat! {RV: $22}
I'm a Luna Jai brand ambassador and a HUGE fan of their products - they are so incredibly comfortable and the fit is unlike any others. Be on the lookout for a review of my favorite pairs from their collection soon! Plus, the Gaiam Pink Ribbon Yoga mat is absolutely gorgeous and helps a great cause - provide hope, support, and love every time you practice yoga with this mat!

and

ONE winner will receive a custom zen painting from yours truly {RV: $75}
& a zen themed Spirit Locket Necklace! {RV:$75}

I'll be creating a custom painting for one lucky participant - a custom work of art that suits their style and passions. We'll collaborate and figure out the perfect work of art for your space. Plus, you'll receive a customized zen themed necklace - featuring gorgeous charms inside of a fun locket.

Lauren Paints | a beautiful life:
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Gaiam:

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