With Gratitude

As 2016 arrived- along with a fierce hangover- I took- dragged- myself to Unplug Meditation to start off the new year with only the best of intentions. Meditation is not something I do regularly- or at all actually- but since my type-A neurotic self consciously strives for a healthy body and mind, I thought I’d take a gratitude workshop, seeing as I do have much to be grateful for… even though I wasn’t in St. Barts for Christmas, or in Aspen for New Years with that boyfriend who doesn’t exist. Unplug Meditation is a guided meditation studio in Brentwood that offers 30 and 45 minute drop-in classes- think Drybar for the soul- set in a large room with ambient lighting, candles and groovy inspirational music that leads you towards a calm state of mind. Owner Suze Yalof Schwartz once edited fashion at Vogue and Glamour in New York and has curated her staff just as expertly, as you leave Unplug feeling fully enlightened.

My workshop was led by Jon Paul Crimi, the very charismatic personal trainer, nutritionist, gluten-free chef, and sober coach to A-list celebrities and Hollywood’s elite for the last two decades. Jon Paul is now focused on sharing the profound transformation he has experienced through breath work and meditation. After a chance meeting with the ultimate guru Tony Robbins followed by a personal invitation that rocked his world, Jon Paul began studying under two gifted healers, Peter Evans and David Elliot. As a result, Jon Paul has been passing on a unique blend of breath work that he created as a direct result of these three gifted mentors. He combines breath work and heart opening meditation that is designed to make sure you leave feeling amazing and with a new found clarity about what is truly meaningful to you in your life. He did, however, warn us not to contact any ex-boyfriends with our open heart, now full of love and gratitude. I should have listened. Namaste. www.breathewithjp.com www.unplugmeditation.com