Today on the blog we have the
Uh-ma-zing Candace. She is most known for being a fulltime international Yoga instructor. Her instagram, YogabyCandace is great! Make sure you follow her for daily tips on eating, mindfulness, yoga and for updates on her great Mantra Box!

We were pleasantly surprised that she is incorporating a new practice to keep her mindful: journaling.

Read on for more:

(SE) What does Mindfulness mean to you?

(C) Staying completely present in each moment and experiencing it as it comes - without resistance or judgement.

(SE)  What tools do you think are essential for living mindfully?

(C) The breath - that's it :)

(SE) Do you have a mindfulness practice, if so, what does it look like?

(C) Every evening, I write in a gratitude journal. It just helps me to stay positive, and it keeps me staying mindful each day to look on the good side.

(SE) When did this practice begin?

(C) Ha! I'm embarrassed to admit - just last month.

(SE) Don’t be embarrassed, it’s even more encouraging that you are beginning your practice like we are. How did you get started?

(C) I was feeling way over-stressed, and I read the book The Gratitude Diaries, which shows the science behind how being grateful can impact your physical and mental well being.

(SE) What has this practice done for you as a person?

(C) It's decreased my stress levels, thereby improving my quality of life.

(SE) What advice would you give to someone who would like to incorporate a mindfulness practice into their daily routine but cannot find the time or the headspace?

(C) It literally takes one minute to write down one thing you're grateful for at the end of the day. Keep the journal by your nightstand and do it before you turn off the light at night.

(SE) Is there a particular practice you would recommend to cultivate mindfulness?

(C) The gratitude journal idea has worked for me - it's super easy so I would recommend that to everyone because it really makes me stay mindful throughout your day to look for the good things.

(SE) Can you list three, everyday things that we can do to stay in the present and live a mindful life?

(C) Start each day with a grateful heart. Take a moment before eating to feel thankful for the food you're about to consume. End each day with a sentence of gratitude.

(SE) Do you offer any type of mindfulness training? If so, can you provide details?

(C) I'm a yoga instructor and it's always a goal of mine to have students experience the practice as a meditation in motion - experiencing each breath as it comes, each movement as it flows. We offer yoga retreats worldwide (our next one is a jungle retreat in Costa Rica), and have recently released our YBC Official Yoga App.

(SE) Are you currently working on anything you would like to share with the Soulful Essence community?

(C) We have a subscription box program that is quarterly. The idea is to curate a box the high quality products from small businesses we love to help inspire a healthy life. Last season's box included a Soulful Essence mat spray, which was a huge hit!

Thank you so much for the time Candace! Be sure to visit her site: yogabycandace.com to get more information on her retreat to Costa Rica in November!

What did you think about our talk with Candace? Isn’t it nice to see a pro who is in the same playing field as we are? Drop any comments or questions below.