Summer ’14 was the summer of constant climbing, yoga classes in the park, great festivals, awesome parties, beautiful memories and finding love. A summer I’ll never forget, it was as if the stars were aligned, and we were all in a beautiful rhythmic flow of life, enjoying every second effortlessly. This was a summer of ultimate growth.

‘High on life’ was the theme of that summer, coming back inspired and pumped from an amazing week at surf camp on the Atlantic coast of France, where I got to meet beautiful people and had the time of my life making some memories I’ll never forget. I met my match there, falling in love and connecting with someone in a way I didn’t even know possible.

I discovered a passion for climbing, which would, in turn, introduce me to the wonder of the mind-body connection. Something I always knew was there, but had never really, truly, fully experienced. Discovering this amazing, and to me, new wonder, kick-started an inspired awareness of health and love that would lead me to find a passion for nurturing body and mind. This passion has only grown stronger throughout the years.

That same summer I was re-introduced to yoga by a friend, who at that time was doing her yoga teacher training and was offering free yoga classes outside, in the open air in Vondelpark, Amsterdam. This was without a doubt, a wonderful experience to add to the list. All of a sudden I was drawn to nourishing the body with exactly what it asked for, which happened to be delicious and nutritious food. Outside and inside was one and it just felt like we were all growing, growing, growing. Full of love and energy. Lessons were learned, discoveries were made, and it was beautiful. Though I quickly learned, all that rises must fall, life is, after all a balancing act.

Balance

I remember thinking that year how it was both one of my toughest and most beautiful years thus far. A paradox, it was good and bad, yin and yang, it was life balancing itself. At the time I did not perceive life the way I do now, I did not see the coexistence of opposites as necessary, I did not see it at all. It took some breaking down and rising up, and breaking down and rising up, and ultimately choosing to work on myself, choosing love, choosing growth, before I could change my perception. I realize now that every year is the hardest and most beautiful year, though I have to admit, some more than others.

That summer kick-started a whirlwind of changes and as I continue to grow, and change and experience life, the good, the bad and the ugly, I find myself appreciating more, breathing more, and loving more. I am not always happy, but I am also not always sad, I am not always positive, though I am not always negative, I’m not always excited, but I’m also not always indifferent. Life is a balancing act, that wave is coming at you no matter what, you have to choose to either let it crash on you, wash you away, or get up on that board and ride it out!

Love & light!