Back in December when I was gathering my 2020 goals I knew I needed to grow in my spirituality.  

I've been praying on my knees consistently every morning for close to a year, I've been reading my Bible/pondering/journaling/sharing for close to 300 days unbroken, and attending church somewhat consistently ever since we moved back to the USA in 2015.  However I knew I needed to keep stretching this area of my life and back then I jotted down 2 goals to invest this year: FASTING and MEDITATION.

With fasting I already had a plan. I was eyeing Easter to jump into some sort o fasting routine and I did this successfully starting with Ash Wednesday.  Meditation was something else. I didn't know where to start.  Should I buy a book about it? watch YouTube videos? play it by ear?

That's when I came across someone I was in conversation for a photoshoot down in Miami.  Her name is Irina Vlada, and as I was reviewing her images this theme of peace/mediation/yoga just kept popping up so I had to ask her if she was a practitioner or something like that. Turns out Irina is a self-awareness coach, breathwork and meditation facilitator! Not only that but she has practiced & study "ancient technology of yoga in Himalayas, India" and now is here near us sharing her gift everyone!  

Yes, I still can't keep my eyes closed for a long time, my breathing technique is still not where it needs to be, and my mind wonders from time to time, but practicing breathing and meditation with Irina these past few weeks have helped me:

• Start my day grounded
• Take the world as it is, NOT how we wish it'd be
• Appreciate the simple gift of breathing 
• Feel connected to me and others
• Get in touch with my inner peace

If you're wondering how much all of this cost you'd be right assuming is A LOT, but these days Irina is giving away free (yes, FREE) meditation/breathing sessions three times a week via Zoom.  Below I'm leaving the Zoom info/code for you to join me and my good friend Irina next time!

BREATHING
Monday 8AM ET
Wednesday 8 AM ET
Friday at 8AM ET

MEDITATION
Friday 8PM ET 

https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/323217212
Zoom Meeting ID: 323217212

For more information check out her website here https://breathwise.co/

Peace,
- arturo

P.S: if you actually click on "2020 Goals" you might noticed I only had "fasting" and not "fasting and mediation" but in my mind I meant both... I know I know...