Meditation. Matcha. Snuggles. Where do we sign up? We can fully relate to Caley Alyssa’s list of daily essentials, but that’s not the only reason why we’re loving this beautiful and bendy yogi. For Caley, yoga is more than just crazy contortions and Instagram likes by the thousands; it’s a practice that’s taught her compassion, self-love and stillness. Preach!
We caught up with Caley to talk about how she’s living that yogi life – inside and out – and the influence that’s had on everything else: from friendships to bucket-list musts, learn what lessons this lovely lady picked up on the mat…
NAME:
Caley Alyssa Joyner
STUDIOS:
Yoga Works, Alo Yoga, MindBodyGreen, Udaya Yoga, MyYogaWorks.
WHAT DREW ME TO YOGA:
The practice helped me to be more compassionate with myself, to listen to my body. It taught me how to speak lovingly to myself, as if I was speaking to one of my best and closest friends.
BIGGEST INSPIRATION:
Literally anyone who took a risk to live the life of their dreams! I get so fired up when I see/hear someone who rose above their fear and took their destiny into their own hands.
WHEN I'M NOT ON THE MAT, I'M…
Climbing! I just started about five months ago, but I am obsessed with it. That or getting scrubbed down at the Korean spa.
FAVORITE POSE:
These days, it’s a simple, good old-fashioned forward fold. When I was in the beginning stages of my practice it was all about the crazy stuff, and now, I appreciate the golden oldies so much more.
3 DAILY MUSTS:
Meditation. Matcha. Snuggles.
I WISH MORE PEOPLE REALIZED THAT YOGA…
Isn’t just for flexible people. Yoga is for every body. Its benefits go beyond the physical and can be translated and utilized in every single moment in life, especially off the mat.
WHY I STARTED TEACHING:
Once I felt the full practice of yoga begin to work inside of me, I had to share it with others. It wasn’t an awareness that I could keep to myself.
MOST REWARDING YOGA-RELATED EXPERIENCE:
I have met my best and closest friends through yoga, and to me that’s the most rewarding thing. To make lasting and impactful connections with other shiny humans.
BIGGEST LESSON YOGA HAS TAUGHT ME:
To trust my intuition. To return to my inner sense.
BIGGEST LESSON I HOPE TO PASS ON THROUGH YOGA:
None of this stuff really matters. So… lighten up. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember we are all connected. And at the end of the day, all that’s left… is love.
TRANSFORMATION BEGINS WHEN…
You acknowledge that you are where you are because of what you’ve chosen to do or not to do. With that knowledge you can begin to re-write your story. Focus on what you do want, not what’s not working for you. All the good will drown out all the bad.
5 THINGS ON MY BUCKET LIST:
See the Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand, Blue Lagoon in Iceland… and the rest of the world’s wonders. Experience the plant medicine ayahuasca. Get certified and go scuba diving. Write and publish a book. Teach Wanderlust Yoga Festivals.
FOOD PHILOSOPHY IN ONE SENTENCE:
I eat real, whole foods without a lot of sugar, and little to no animal products.
CAUSE I'M MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT:
Women Catalysts! I co-host this badass monthly speaker series and Lightening Talks event in Los Angeles. 100% of the proceeds go towards an NFPO of the speaker’s choosing.
ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY 16-YEAR-OLD SELF:
You and you alone are the creator of your ultimate life experiences. No one else gets credit, or blame. Only you.
PERSONAL MANTRA:
Does it limit or liberate you? Does it raise or reduce your energy?
