A 30 Day Challenge is never easy for anyone that has tried it. It takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so after your 21 days, you are good to go!
Week 4 of my Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge was the best part of the challenge. 
By now all pains and aches were gone. I was completely in love with Bikram Yoga. 
It was official: "Hi, my name is Leda and I am addicted to Bikram Yoga!"

At this stage of the game I loved having Bikram Yoga as part of my daily routine and I especially love the Bikram Yoga NYC studio. Everyone is friendly and all of us Yogis have the same goal: honoring ourselves with 'me' time while releasing everyday stress and toxins. 

My last week of the 30 Day Challenge I had some amazing teachers that I always loved seeing. 
I was excited to end my last few classes with Pamela Herron, Olivia Anselmo and Justine Gartner. 

Pamela Herron is a gifted teacher. I love the way she truly has passion for what she does and how she leads the class in such perfect sequence of poses as if it were the perfect dance choreography. She is truly special and her energy shines in class. Pamela always pushed me to do better and cheered me when I did great.
I always left feeling a bit taller and skinnier after her class! Thank you Pamela! :)
You can read more about Pamela at: www.bikramyogales.com/Pamela 

Justine Gartner has an amazing inspiring story. She started Bikram Yoga on a 30 Day Challenge due to her ongoing battle with Sciatica. After a year of practice she no longer needed a chiropractor or acupuncture. 
She even competed in the USA Yoga Regional Asana Championship in NYC. Needless to say, she loved Bikram Yoga so much she completed her Bikram Yoga teacher training program. Justine saw me grow from week 1 where I was a hot mess up until week 4 where I felt like a true professional! 
You can see more of Justine and her photography work at: JustineBethGartner.com

Olivia Anselmo who I have written about before, was my teacher on my 30th day. I was so happy about that since she truly inspired me back in week 2, to keep going. Glad I did! Olivia has a special way of encouraging you to handle your poses in such a powerful way. You can tell she's totally in tuned to her higher self and is a healer in her own right. 
I truly adore the way she handles all the first timers in class especially the ones that think they are about to pass out! Loved being inspired by her! Olivia had everyone in class give me a round of applause for completing my 30 Day Challenge. You can find out more about Olivia and her magical retreats at: corinneandolivia.com

I have to say I truly feel that my body has completely changed since I started Bikram Yoga. I feel my body's alignment is no longer the same! I can't describe the feeling but it's a powerful experience to be able to feel so connected to your own body physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

If anyone is curious about Bikram Yoga and changing their lives, I highly recommend the Bikram Yoga NYC studio. My favorite of course is the Upper East Side location since that is where I started my new journey. Make sure to say Hi to Yelena the night manager as she is the best! Feel free to take a peek at the studio here: BikramYogaNYC.com
 And if you live outside of NYC, check your local town for the nearest Bikram Yoga studio.

I also want to thank my Bikram Yogi partner in crime Louise for hanging in there and happy we pushed each other everyday! 

Namaste!!! 

And remember: 
GirlieVegans Do It Better!!! 

Love and light,
Leda xxx


Photo Courtesy: Bikramyogacapalaba.com.au

Week 3 of a 30 Day Challenge is far from easy! At this point you feel like you love what you are doing but challenges arise. You ask yourself "Why I am doing this?!" and then you let it go because you realize you're shifting something inside your body, mind and spirit...

By week 3 I was already loving my new routine! After a day of doing meditations, working with clients doing distance & in person energy healing/coachings and meetings, I would run off to the Bikram Yoga studio in the Upper East Side with my friend Louise. By the time we were done we would run home and eat. Then it's all about answering emails, texts, calls, playing with the fur babies and then sleep. I had no time for social life outside of healing and yoga!!! Yoga is everything!!!

Doing the Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge in week 3 definitely made me happy that I was more than half way there but I started having a few issues. The week before my shoulders and neck were tense but this week my knees started hurting! My knees were hurting so bad during class the entire week BUT I didn't give up. 
I spoke to a couple of teachers that explained to me what a great sign that was. Meant my body was changing! 

Kathryn Leary being one of the teachers to bring me comfort and ease regarding my knees. OMG that rhymes! haha
She explained that Bikram Yoga is designed to help you change the alignment of your body so therefore I was creating change within my body. So that was exciting to hear! 
I enjoyed Kathryn's soft and gentle way of teaching while adding complete humor making us forget we were all in a heated room of 104 degrees. I also loved her Buddha quotes at the end of the class while we are all in Shavasana pose (laying flat on our mats). 

Natalia Maldonado is another teacher who poised such great love for yoga. Her style of teaching was so inspiring because she never seemed tired. Natalia has such a bubbly-hyped-up type of personality. She was upbeat every step of the way. She also kept the perfect pace so you never even realized you were in the room for an hour and a half! By the time she was done I couldn't believe class was over. I loved the fact that she took time to correct each of us and showed us how to do it better. Her energy was definitely gracious, kind and loving. I vote for Natalia! 

By the ending of week 3 I realized I may have a little issue going on. I was sleeping and dreaming about yoga poses and phrases like "Lock your knees, lock your knees, and change", I think I am obsessed much! 
All I talk about is yoga and the poses and demonstrate them to friends anytime, anywhere. It's insane!!!! 
I am hoping the yoga fever will some how calm down a bit because it's a little over the top in my world right now! 
I mean I am turning down date night because I don't want to miss a day of yoga! Hellooo! Help! haha

I will end this week's yoga blog with a wonderful quote that Kathryn Leary always shares in class and now it's one of my fave quotes: 
"Swim with the current, swim against the current, float down stream or give up and drown? It is you who makes the choice. The river just is." 

If you are thinking of starting yoga I highly recommend it! If you are in NYC I highly recommend the Upper East Side Bikram Yoga NYC studio. 

And remember: 
GirlieVegans Do It Better!!! 

Love and light,
Leda xxx


Photo Courtesy: Bikramyogacapalaba.com.au

Doing a 30 Day Challenge is definitely a challenge but it can also be so rewarding everyday you are doing it. 
It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. So having wrapped up week 2, I feel awesome! 
By the beginning of week two, I had learned that I had caused a bit of a ruckus (of course!) at the studio without even knowing. The wonderful evening manager Yelena finally told me that they had been looking for me all week because I wasn't signing in at the front desk everyday. I thought you only did so on your first day and since I signed up every day online I didn't know. Oppsie!!! 

By now I have totally fallen in love with yoga. There is so much to it then just doing a pose. You receive so many health benefits from each pose, it's amazing. Not to mention you open all your chakras and release negativity! 
Before I share with you some of the health benefits, I want to quickly thank some of the amazing teachers I have had some classes with that have truly shared their light with me in a special way. Their patience and love towards teaching the class completely inspired me to keep going! 

John Mabry being one of them. His energy is just so calming and kind. I love how he gives compliments to each of the students completely uplifting and encouraging us to keep going. When I see his name on the schedule my face lights up :) Plus he's completely handsome! 

Olivia Anselmo is another amazing special teacher who takes the craft of yoga to a place of love. Her energy is so special as well. She took the time to guide me after class due to some tension I had around my neck. She showed me a trick to do at home in order to release all the knots I have in the back of my shoulders. I think it's time for a massage! 
Olivia also hosts these wonderful retreats to Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica which is one of the planet Earth's 5 Blue Zones. On these retreats you get to meditate, practice Yoga, have fun and do other yogi spiritual things. 
I will definitely be adding that to my list of places I plan to visit soon! 
For more info on the trip visit: www.corinneandolivia.com/retreats

Health benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga: 

• Helps with lower back pain, hip and back pain, chemical imbalances in the system
• Constipation, colitis constipation, small and large intestines, exercise the colon, pancreas and kidney
• Helps abdominal obesity, diabetes, thyroid, blood and sugar balance
• Strengthens weak joints
• Helps with arthritis, knee problems and gout pain 

And of course the list goes on, but at least you can have an overall idea! 
This is week 2 but I already feel my body taking a different form. I feel a whole lot lighter and I now enjoy the sense of sweat dripping off my body. I know, sounds insane, but it's a great sign that toxins are leaving my system! 

Thinking of doing Bikram Yoga? Go for it!! Check your local town for the nearest Bikram Yoga studio. 
If you're in NYC I highly recommend Bikram Yoga NYC www.bikramyoganyc.com

And remember:
GirlieVegans Do It Better!!!

Love and light,
Leda xxx


Photo Courtesy: Bikramyogacapalaba.com.au

Being the Spiritual Rebel that I am, this past weekend I attended the Holiday Holistic Expo & Bazaar at the New York Open Center. 
Saturday, December 13th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm I was in a whirlwind of pure energy! From psychics, mediums, QiGong, healing teas, vegan food, energy healers, crystals, organic products, you name it and I felt it! 
My sis Louise from France was overwhelmed by all the energy so she lost a bit of color and nearly fainted! Yikes!!! 
Or maybe it was all the energy from my "disagreement" with a lovely lady over vegan cat food! I can't! Too funny! 
Either way we had a blast and I even bumped into a few old friends I hadn't seen in awhile like Shayne Spencer who is an amazing web designer and Dafna who is a walking angel, who I met through my darling sister Daisy. 

I met this wonderful lady named Ritu who has this amazing healing product called Halo Systems. She explained that Halo Systems are the new paradigm in Photonics therapy treatment protocols. These are special devices that doctors use but now are available to the public. She explained that no other light therapy system remotely compares to the speed of performance and photon/botanical approach they have developed. 
I watched her prepare a demonstration she was going to do on me, and it was so interesting! You choose from all these different liquid vials that cater to whatever pain (mental or emotional) or vital infection you have and you place the liquid vial inside the Halo device and you light it under your tongue. Sounds weird, but it's so cool! Because I am an energy healer, I'm sensitive to any energy out there, so I definitely felt something. We did a quick demo, but now I am interested in trying it for a full session so I can tell you all about it! I plan to interview Ritu in the future so she can explain a bit more in detail how it all works. They have a long list of issues they work on and heal: Deep Muscle, Candida, Lyme Disease, Bipolar, Anxiety, HIV, Immune Boost, Weight Loss, Diabetes, Anger, Lupus, Anti-aging, Spider Veins and even Follicle Rejuvenation to name a few. I tried the brain cleanse & manifesting one. 
I can't wait to see if I truly manifest my wish! 
For a Halo session feel free to contact Ritu at: www.quantumenergyhealingnyc.com

The next person I met was Anthea Appel who specializes in Animal Naturopathy and Homeopathy. 
This conversation was a bit overwhelming for me and especially for Louise! I stopped by her booth because I was curious what she thought about cats being vegan but I had clearly missed her sign that read cats and dogs should be eating raw meat! Yikes! I asked the wrong person! However, being the Spiritual Rebel energy healer that I am, I had to push the envelope a bit. She gave me a list of reasons why we should be feeding our dogs and cats a raw meaty bone diet. Apparently it helps with weight control, less stinky stools and your pet becomes more affectionate.
Luckily for me, my fur kids are already way too friendly plus their stool doesn't stink! Yay! They are healer kitties, of course :) 
Anthea went on to tell me the dangers of dry food and how a cat's natural diet consist of rodents, rabbits (I don't think so!), insects and birds. My question is how about all the dogs that are vegan and lived to be 18-20yrs old. But she insisted they were lying to me. Although I agree, any cat food that is out there that is processed, isn't the best for any pet, but I do my best to buy only organic foods for Abbe and Ciccone. However, she also needs to remember that if meat for humans are toxic and full of horrible chemicals it will have the same horrifying effects on our beloved fur children. This is why I always surround my fur kids food with white light to remove any toxins from their food! The question still remains unsolved for me, is vegan cat food healthy at the end of the day? Since I am 100% vegan this is an issue I always struggle with when buying food for my kiddies. I am not a big fan of dry food, so I am still on my quest for finding someone who has a vegan elderly cat. This, of course, is a whole blog in itself and I can't wait to interview a few vets, Anthea and vegan cat and dog parents! Stay tuned for that blog and Youtube interview because I'm sure it will be over the top! 
If you want to ask Anthea questions feel free to at: www.catsndogsnaturally.com

Keisha's tag line "Holistic products with the soul in mind!" caught my attention, along with her amazing personality! 
I quickly tried her Lovely Lavendar Sugar Scrub and the Lovely Lavender Body Lotion, and I have to say it felt and smelled sooo yummy! I loved that most of her products are vegan! She has all sorts of fun skin care products like scrubs, soaps, lotions and even has a jewelry line that has all these cool stones and special energy. 
Keisha explained that her skin care products are made with natural and organic ingredients. She uses raw unrefined plant butters, oils, herbal infusions and extracts. She said they assist in moisturizing the skin and also have health benefits. 
Everything Keisha creates is handmade and crafted with love. Sounds good to me! 
Feel free to order any holiday gifts from her and make sure to ask which products are vegan! 
www.keishagemz.com

Last but not least I met Naini Nakagawa who is the founder of the holistic network Matchmyspirit.com! 
She is the main reason we were all at the holistic expo. She likes to put together these wonderful expos all throughout Manhattan, Queens, Long Island & New Jersey on a monthly basis. She has a beautiful young son who attends the expos and gives such a warm presence to the event. Naini is so sweet and kind, you can see her making herself available to speak to everyone who approaches her. She gifted me the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda! She said it was the only book Steve Jobs had downloaded on his Ipad 2 when he passed away.
Her site is also a dating website for spiritual geeksters like myself! How cool is that?! I will have to interview her soon and get all the scoop!  
If you are interested in joining Naini's holistic network make sure to visit her site: www.matchmyspirit.com

There you have it darlings! My wonderful experience at the Holiday Expo & Bazaar! 
Feel free to attend the next expo:
2015 Holistic Expo
Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Located at the New York Open Center
22 East 30th Street
The event is free so make sure to invite all your friends! 
You will be able to meet energy healers, natural doctors, buy organic products and meet some great people! 

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season! 

And remember: 
GirlieVegans Do It Better!!! 

Love and light,
Leda xxx

This past weekend from Friday, October 17 until Sunday, October 19th, The New Life Expo was held at the Hotel Pennsylvania in NYC. The New Life Expo is the largest holistic health, alternative medicine, anti-aging, metaphysical and spiritual expo for over 24 years founded by Mark Becker. 
I had the pleasure to attend this past weekend and what a treat it was! There were over 200 exhibitors and speakers from all over the world. I love that you have a little bit of everything mixed in together from Vegan food to essential oils, to healing crystals to psychic readings! It's just a magical place for all the spiritual geeksters like myself to attend and feel right at home! And of course for anyone who is new or simply curious about spirituality or alternative medicine, this is the place for you to meet tons of people! Plus word on the street is it's also a place where singles can mingle! :)

The first class that grabbed my attention was Lee Ann Somers' class. I decided to go and sit in and connect with her angelic spirit. It was my first time sitting in her lecture and meeting her. We immediately connected! I loved her class! She began by describing her awakening towards healing and the angelic realm. Prior to her awakening she had no real interest in spirituality or any communication with God, but one day she sat in a class on How To Meet Your Guardian Archangel. After participating in the guided meditation she was able to meet her guardian Archangel Gabriel. This was the beginning of her amazing spiritual journey. Lee Ann shared a few more angelic interactions during her sessions with clients and then lead us into a beautiful and special meditation and connected us to our guardian Archangel. My Archangel of course came thru and gave me a message I actually needed to hear on something I was being stubborn about the day before. So for me it was perfect! Although I am a huge Archangel person and I am constantly working with them to heal my clients and I speak to them on a daily basis, there are some occasions where I can be a bit stubborn when it comes to my personal love life. (I am a girlie girl after all!) 
Being in Lee Ann's class truly made me sit still and deal with it! 
Our Archangels are here to assist us on our daily journey, and its great to allow and trust them to help us manifest things in life we desire! This is why they chose to help us from the other side. They have the ability and knowledge to help guide us in the right direction. They can even help you with a term paper at school, meeting the person of your dreams or even with a promotion at work! 
The next day I saw Lee Ann Somers by her booth and she actually gave me a full reading! She was right on with everything she said and even worked with Archangel Hilarion to handle a few things :) Thanks Lee Ann!!!!! 
Lee Ann Somers offers healing sessions, classes, and meditation CDs. 
Feel free to check her out at her website: www.LeeAnnSomers.com

The next class I attended was the amazing numerologist Michelle Buchanan. Her class was completely packed and she dedicated the class to teaching all of us how to find our current name number and our life path number. 
Michelle explained that Numerology is the ancient science of numbers, which each number contributing a unique vibration to the story of your life. It originally dates back thousands of years to the ancient civilizations of Atlantis, Babylon, China, Egypt, India, and Greece. It is said to have been created by Pythagoras, the Greek mystic and mathematician, more than 2,500 years ago and now currently used around the world today include the Kabbalistic, Chinese, and Tamil/Indian system. Of course you can read more of this in-depth in Michelle's book The Numerology Guidebook. I loved how everyone was eager to learn their life path numbers and although some of us already knew our numbers it was great to hear Michelle's meaning of each number. With Numerology you are able to discover what your life purpose actually is and how to understand yourself and others. 
I also stopped by her booth to say hello and she gave me a reading! YAY! 
I have to say she has a very special and unique gift how she is able to channel all her readings. Extremely gifted and I completely support her! 
She gifted me her book as well which I already started reading and it's amazing how she is able to educate the reader on how to find their Destiny, Soul, Personality, Life Path, Karmic Lesson, Maturity, Birth Day and even Current name numbers and the actual meanings behind each one! She's amazing! You can even figure out your friends, family members or loved ones numbers and meaning!!! Its really great! 
Michelle Buchanan will be in NYC until Monday, October 27th for in person readings! 
You can also attend her Numerology Workshop in NYC on Sunday, October 26th from 1pm-5pm at Quest Bookshop 240 E. 53rd Street. Cost: $60.00. It's a class you don't want to miss! 
Hay House author Michelle Buchanan's book is titled The Numerology Guidebook Uncover Your Destiny and the BluePrint of Your Life. You can find it at your local Barnes and Noble or anywhere online. 
www.MichelleBuchanan.co.nz 

One of my favorite lectures is always with the fabulous Jill Dahne! Her class is always packed and quite fun! 
"Jill Dahne is the #1 Love Psychic in the World" as quoted in the book 100 Top Psychics. She has been on radio and television since the age of 6 years old. Her life was chronicled on Lifetime Television as the #1 Love Psychic for all of the marriages and relationships she has predicted throughout her life, over 1,000 to date. She has also been on Court TV for unsolved murder cases and missing children. 
Her lectures at the New Life Expo are always the most popular one! It's completely packed and she even shares world and stock predictions! This year she strongly suggested that everyone invest in Stem Cells. In the past she had predicted her client would get involved in a new venture that would be extraordinary for people suffering with addictions. It manifested and there is a new implant that will end any type of alcohol or drug addictions. It's FDA approved and will hit the market in late November. Jill is standing behind it and strongly suggested everyone invests immediately once the stock name is out. Stay posted on her site for more details! 
She gave quite a few love predictions to the members in the audience. When it comes to love, Jill always has great advice to give to all her clients and people that attend her classes. She suggested that if you are single and looking to date, always date 3 people at the same time. She is a big believer in online dating. She explains its not the people that have the problem when you meet them, its all about the timing. She explained to not wear rings as it prevents you from meeting someone new. She said when its the right person you will have this special glow to you! Emotional connection is the most important factor to have in a marriage or a relationship.
Jill also explained to never go by the outside of a person go by the inside because the personality of the relationship and the personality of the person forms the relationship. You can be attracted to the person but it's what's inside that forms the relationship. 
Jill Dahne is currently working on her book When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens, Conversations with Jill Dahne. 
You can schedule a private session with Jill Dahne via her website: www.JillDahne.com

One other class that stood out for me was Psychic Medium Joan Carra. She was really great and had such a hysterical way to connect with the class. Joan actually had my friend Lina's grandmother come thru and gave her a special reading in class that left my friend crying with happiness to know that her grandmother is by her side everyday. Joan was able to describe how my friend's grandmother passed away and her personality. She gave her a special message. Joan leads group Seance in NYC and you can learn more about her and her work at www.PsychicJoanCarra.com

The New Life Expo should be in NYC back in March as well as in Florida and Canada. Feel free to check out their website at www.NewLifeExpo.com 

Life is all about sharing your love, light, and wisdom with the world. That's why I am a firm believer in supporting other light workers that are on this journey like myself to share our light in order to heal and assist others in finding their light and owning their power! 
Love to you all! 

And remember: 
GirlieVegans Do It Better!!! 

Love and light,
Leda xxx


Photo Courtesy: Jill Dahne