EST. SPOTLIGHT: AFFIRMATS + GIVEAWAY!
In the everyday bustle of our busy lives, it's important to take a minute to reflect on the present. You might find comfort in a song, a yoga class or a sunset - but whether you are struggling with a bad day, or you just need to push "pause" on life for a minute, little affirmations help keep our minds at ease.
"I am Free."
"I am Wonderfully Made"
"I Radiate Love."
These simple sentences speak volumes and there is a company who is doing a stellar job at helping us to remember to enjoy the NOW and appreciate what is in front of us (you!) - That company is Affirmats.
Founder, Jason Graham, started Affirmats in 2012. This is what he had to say about his journey.
"It all began from my Grandmother's living room when I was 8 years of age. I used to lay on my back and make my spine bend backwards while catching myself with my hands.
This strange movement made me feel invincible and omnipotent. I would perform this movement involuntarily day after day. My family members thought that I was a peculiar, unconventionally bizarre kid. While everyone else was outside playing sports, I was content with making my spine bend.
I was also a kid who talked to himself. To say that I was eccentric would be an understatement. I was far from common. During the discovery of this spine bending phenom, I would strum the words, “I am Healthy, I am Wealthy, I am LOVE” over and over again.
Fast forward to 28 years later when I went to my first yoga class. While in class, the instructor yelled out a pose called “Upward Bow.” Me, being a novice, had no idea what this instructor was talking about. Was I to look up at the ceiling? Was this some sort of hybrid yoga hunting class? As I begin to look around the room, I saw something very familiar. I saw that spine bending thingy I used to do when I was 8. Talk about an "AH-HA" moment. I was beginning to feel quite nostalgic. The spine bending exercise I was doing years ago had a name. It was called: UPWARD FACING BOW. "I wasn’t crazy after all," I thought. "I have found MY PEOPLE!"
After about a year of taking yoga classes consistently, I learned how to shut off my mind. If Upward Bow was my first and favorite pose, my second favorite was Shavasana aka Corpse Pose. One day, while in this pose, I began reminiscing about my 8 year old self and how I would do Back Bends and utter the words, “I am Healthy, I am Wealthy, I am Love.” Then it hit me. I, then, realized that those words were affirmations and that I HAD to put them on a yoga mat for me to look at and manifest while I am practicing yoga. It was at that moment when Affirmats was born."
We sat down with Founder (Jason Graham), Project Director (Kelsea Davis) and Sales Guru (Jessica Jablonski) to talk more about Love, Life and what keeps them inspired.
I stay inspired by….
Jason: Love, Dreaming, laughing, reading, reflecting, expressing gratitude, positive thinking, LIFE
Kelsea: The light in the sky. The colors change reflecting beauty while holding the power of the sun.
Jessica: Momma Ocean
She is the best reminder ... That this world we live in can be peaceful and tranquil, yet ferrocious and turbulent ... That we are all connected ... And that - no matter what - the tides keep on flowing in and out, and Life moves through.
On my Yoga playlist..
Jason: "Washed Out" - Feel it all around / "Zero 7" - Swing / "Jamiroquai" - Alright / "Micheal Jackson" - Wanna be starting something / "Phoenix" - 1901 / "Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto" - The Girl from Ipenema / "Elbow" - Birds / "Beck" - Go it Alone / "Marvin Gaye" - Got to give it up / "Lenny Kravitz" - What goes around comes around / "Paul McCartney" - Silly Love Songs / "The Submarines" - 1940
Kelsea: Glasser- Tremel (Jamie xx remix)
Jessica: Long Time Sun -- Snatam Kaur / Bliss (I am the Light of my Soul) -- Sirgun Kaur & Sat Darshan Singh
My favorite Yogawear is…
Jason: My Vneck t shirts from American Apparel, Lulu Lemon Yoga Pants and my Bandana wrapped around my head to prevent the sweat from getting in my eyes.
Kelsea: Teeki
Jessica: Splits59 (everything!!)
When I’m not on the mat, I’m….
Jason: Thinking of ideas to contribute to a better world Today.
Kelsea: Working with affirmats or taking pictures.
Jessica: Still on the mat!
Between being the Sales Guru for Affirmats and a busy, busy Kids Yoga Teacher I am always, happily, on my Affirmat. But, if not, I am probably in the Ocean ... (shocking, I know!)
Best advice I’ve received on balance:
Jason: Glance at the past, live in the present, and focus on the future.
Kelsea: For there to be bad, there has to be good.
Jessica: "Embrace the Beautiful Mess that You Are." If you cannot accept your good and your bad, how can you live a balanced, whole and happy life?
Current Mantra?
Jason: Om Brzee Namaha
Kelsea: I am Creative
Jessica: Rise and Shine On
My favorite thing about California…
Jason: Land of opportunity
Kelsea: Dynamic Vibes
Jessica: Its Sunshine. I genuinely feel that it inspires people to Be Bright, follow their hearts and live their dreams. It sure has inspired me :)
If I could travel anywhere with my Affirmat, I would take it…
Jason: To the moon
Kelsea: To South Africa
Jessica: To Bali
Best Hidden Gem in LA..
Jason: Maison 140 Beverly Hills Hotel. It's a no frills Boutique hotel and I love the furnishings and small lobby bar. It feels like a Bed and Breakfast. A great getaway without getting away.
Kelsea: The hiking trail that you can walk from Sherman Oaks to the beach almost in Malibu.
Jessica: Little Dume, Malibu. Everything about it is pure Perfection.
The moment I feel in love with Yoga:
Jason: You had me at "downward dog"
Kelsea: In high school my Swim Coach started making our dry-lands practices yoga. I thought it was fun just to play and stretch instead of lift weights the first time I tried it. The next day I was so sore I could barely walk. It hit me instantly... I could have fun playing yoga and still get a work out from it. I became madly in love with Yoga immediately after playing on the mat.
Jessica: I fell in Love with Yoga years and years after I started practicing. I have always enjoyed it but about three years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer and it became a Love.
Yoga taught me that I was strong, flexible and able to breathe through fear and discomfort. I am convinced it helped me get through that really tough time. I fell in Love with Yoga then, but my love grows more and more as yoga helps me enjoy this roller coaster ride of life.
HOW INSPIRED ARE YOU?! We definitely are!
After we got our hands on our own Affirmats, we knew we needed to share them with everyone. So we've teamed up with Affirmats to do a Giveaway (yay!)
To enter: follow @estcalifornia and @affirmats on Instagram - then, post this photo on your Instagram, tag #estgiveaway and tag three friends you think are AWEsome! We'll pick a winner October 10th at 12pm (PST)
Good luck!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsay Vacek has a passion for style, details and design. As a Fashion Editorial Photographer, she's worked in the Entertainment Industry for over 10 years and has a love for adventure and travel. She spends her spare time globe-trotting her way through foreign countries and loves new cultures, food, music and the arts.
Being a California Native, Lindsay loves meeting new people and sharing her version of life with others. With an infinite list of things-to-do, places-to-go and sights-to-see - she believe everyone can have a little more California in their own lives.