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How to Stay Focused and Present
By Lindsey O'ConnellHome » Live Consciously » Mindfulness & Meditation » How to Stay Focused and Present
Looking for a way to feel less stressed, less anxious, less tired, more focused, more present, and more calm? Yup, we are, too! Well, that is exactly how the founder of Evolve by Erika, Erika Polsinelli has devoted her life to fixing. Through her work, she teaches that breathwork and meditation bring us clarity to help with decision making and therefore, spend less time contemplating over the right decisions while having more of an inner knowing and guidance. Sounds kind of magical, right?
“Everyone has the ability to live their healthiest and happiest life,” Polsinelli says. “We just need the tools to get out of our own way and allow ourselves to connect with our highest potential.” That is why she created Evolve by Erika…what she calls a one-stop high-vibrational health program.
Through a mix of Kundalini Yoga, meditation, breathwork, movement, plant-based living, and mindset shifts, Polisinelli’s goal is to apply a holistic approach to elevate one’s life.
“The work helps us not only to heal ourselves, but those around us,” she continues. “We are less reactive. We come from a grounded, centered place and become more aligned within; and, by doing this healing, we are creating a better life for ourselves.”
We sat down with Polsinelli to discuss everything from how to create a high-vibe state every day (and what that means exactly) to easy ways of getting focused right now.
How can we get into a high-vibe state every day? The #1 way to start elevating your vibration is through the food you eat and creating a morning practice. By establishing a morning practice, you’re giving yourself time to get ahead of the day. You’re taking time to calm the nervous system and clear your own thoughts before encountering anyone else’s energy and thoughts.
What is your morning routine? How do you set your day up for success? I go to bed excited to wake up and tune into myself. As you begin to practice, you’re able to get to a deeply-connected state, feeling bliss and peace.
I’ve created a space right beside my bed by windows where I can look out at the sky. I feel most connected to nature. I have my Evolve custom meditation pillow there because “easy pose” isn’t that easy for long periods of time. I tune in with the Adi Mantra – Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo – which means, “I bow to the divine wisdom within.” After tuning in, I begin to bring in a conscious stream of thoughts for which I am grateful. I then go into 11 minutes of breathwork. And, if I have time, I will go into 11 minutes of mantra. I conclude my morning practice by setting intentions for all that I want the day to bring me.
By doing this each and every morning (early in the morning before sunrise is best), you’re able to clear and heal your subconscious. There are many days where I recognize a part of me I’ve outgrown, and evolved. It’s a beautiful process.
If someone is new to yoga, what do you recommend to get started? The yoga I teach is different from what most visualize as yoga. Kundalini Yoga consists of breathwork, mantra, and meditation. A good place to start a practice of Kundalini is by beginning to play and listen to mantra while taking long deep breaths, or even while you’re cooking or cleaning. You’ll be surprised by the shift you feel just by listening to high-frequency music. Another place to begin is with 3 to 5 minutes of breathwork.
Right now, we are all overwhelmed with endless “to do” lists and never enough time in the day. How are you prioritizing now? I truly feel that by making time for my practice, I’m creating time and space in my day. By starting our day with breathwork or meditation, we calm the chatter of our mind, we’re able to think more clearly, and bring ourselves into alignment. This helps us to act and respond from a centered place. We become more efficient and clear on what is best for us.
How often do you exercise—and what’s your workout of choice? Every day! My body feels its best when I’m power walking, especially on the beach. The rebound effect is so good for the lymph system, and grounds my energy. I also love Vinyasa Yoga. Trying very challenging poses forces me to be present. In order to achieve an arm balance or inversion in Vinyasa, it requires every ounce of your attention. It’s such a beautiful way to connect to yourself.
How do you motivate yourself to work out (especially when you really don’t want to)? The feeling afterwards. I absolutely love how I feel after, and that’s always my motivation. I know how I feel if I don’t move. I’ll have less energy, and negative thoughts may slip in. Endorphins are real! They always keep me coming back for more.
If you had to name your healthy diet, what would you call it? Naturally nourished. I love that the earth can support all my needs. My entire diet comes from what the earth grows to fuel our bodies. I eat plant-based and have not had any animal products since 2017. My diet is what led me on this high-vibrational path. Eating this way helps me to elevate my vibration and be receptive to meditation, and so much more.
What’s your go-to breakfast? I always start my day with warm water and lemon and a green juice. From there, it’s avocado toast! I love having it on Ezekiel bread and add any topping I’m feeling that day. Some days, it could be hummus, and some days it’s kraut, but it’s always topped with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joe’s!
What is your evening routine to wind down at the end of the day? Spending time with my husband, and then going straight into my skin care routine. I bring all of my serums in bed with me because, otherwise, I would never get to it! I use my gua sha in bed. On days I feel like I have a lot of energy, I lie down on my back and breathe long and deeply! It puts me right to sleep.
(photo credit: Evolve by Erika)
Former Editorial Director, Nutritious Life
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