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AN INTERVIEW WITH// "Lotte Van Graas."// by Kelly Mason.



Holland born. Nomadic natured. Yoga teacher. Traveller.

Lotte Van Graas.






We first met this Holland born nomadic earlier this year when spending time in Goa, India where she was found teaching Yoga in Mandrem beach. Since then she has been travelling all around writing for various retreats and resorts on her online blog while teaching Yoga, continuing to grow and explore where ever she finds herself and absorbing all the surrounds and people in each and every place.


Since we last spoke with Lottie she has taught Yoga at one of the worlds largest music festivals in Europe, she assisted on a Bali Yoga Silent Retreat and now she finds herself back at Mandrem beach before she leaves to teach Yoga in Sri lanka at the end of 2018.


We are excited to have Lottie allow us to delve deep into her being in this interview so without wasting any further time lets get to it. An interview with Lotte Van Graas...







Lotte!! We would love to know whats your Design, your Purpose, your Being?




" My name is Lotte. I am a 28 years young Dutch Canadian life lover. I teach yoga, organise retreats and create social media content for a living.


I have a bachelor degree in Business administration and a 200 + 100 Hours Yoga Teachers Training Certificate.


I am grateful to have a boyfriend who turned out to be my spiritual partner too. He helps me to become a better person and I absolutely love sharing my life with him.


At the moment I am travelling as a yoga teacher. Combining travelling with teaching is the best it can possibly get for me. I love to travel the world to discover places and meet new people. It makes me experience the world on my own terms and there is so much to learn from every experience! However, the last few years the purpose of my journey became much more spiritual.


Although I’m still travelling or ‘moving’, these days it’s more about discovering my inner world. To me spirituality is all about curiosity. Questioning everything, everywhere!



Doing yoga and meditation is very important to me but my practice – biggest part of my spiritual practice - is love. I feel deeply moved to show the world love and a whole lot of kindness.

I want to teach and inspire people to love themselves and the world more. WE ARE ALL ONE and there is just so much freaking love and light!! If people would only want to see it.



I totally believe that singing, shaking and dancing like no one is watching feeds the soul! It’s not about the right rhythm or fancy moves. As with so many things – it’s about the energy, the intention and having fun!"






Where is it that you currently reside?


I am currently living in Mandrem in Goa, India. I’ll spend two months here teaching daily classes





What’s the most beautiful word in the world?

Easy: LOVE. Love love love





What’s your favourite smell?


The smell of the ocean. For me this signifies purity and freedom





Whats the best advise you have ever been given?

That’s a hard one but I got a good advice lately and that is to change my ‘money story’





"Although I’m still travelling or ‘moving’, these days it’s more about discovering my inner world. To me spirituality is all about curiosity. Questioning everything, everywhere!"






What inspires you?


PEOPLE are my passion and inspiration! I can get high on humanity every day





What’s your favourite time of day?


I love the early mornings. Those early hours have something magical! When I get up around 6 am (which I don’t do often) I feel like superwoman. The hours before 9 am feel like extra time and I am often very productive





What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?


It’s super hard to name just one place, but I would say the Bali Silent Retreat. I have spend some weeks there to teach yoga last year and it’ like heaven on Earth. It’s green, serene, simple but comfortable. I felt really, really happy and relax there





Whom do you secretly admire?

Nobody. There are plenty of people that I admire but no one secretly to be honest





What do you cook better than anyone?

Banana bread!





What’s the first thing you notice about people?


Their energy. Their vibration





When are you most yourself?


When I am surrounded by the people I love most







When was the last time you cried?


The last time I cried was when Dillon – boyfriend - dropped me off at the airport 9 days ago. He barley ever cries but this time we were both like waterfalls!





Greatest Weakness?


I sometimes have a hard time controlling my senses. When I am not taking the best possible care of myself I get easily distracted and seduced (by sweets, alcohol, coffee)





Greatest Strength?

I can make people feel welcome and at home and my positive and strong energy I would say





What are you grateful for today?


That I opened my laptop for the first time in a week and started with this interview





What is your Mantra?


" I am enough. "





Do you believe in a higher power?


Totally.





When we asked Lotte where was the most beautiful place she had seen

she answered..


"I would say the Bali Silent Retreat. I have spend some weeks there to teach yoga last year and it’ like heaven on Earth."






How did you know you had found your Design, Purpose, Being?


" I am not sure, there wasn’t an ‘ahaaa moment’ but I get to wake up with love in my heart every morning and I think that says a lot. I feel so excited for the day and curious about all the new learning. It feels like I am going with the flow of life, things all of a sudden started to come and go so effortless. I mean I do work really hard but I am not pulling, anything or anyone "






What are some of the struggles you have faced on your path?


I think the biggest struggle – I rather call it challenge actually - is to follow my passion AND to live together with someone. I can’t just ‘go with the wind’ anymore and do anything which I think or feel to be in line with my purpose.


Sometimes I have the feeling that I have to choose between the two and that is painful





Do you have any words for those trying to find their being/expression?


Start doing more of the things you love most! Be patience but have fun!


Go running, skating, baking, walking or whatever that is for you! Think of what you liked to do most when you were a child and try that out too. You are already exactly who you need to be, don’t worry. Be happy.






Describe your everyday rituals & routines...


I wish that my morning routine looked like this everyday but sometimes it does not...

" Waking up by 7

Sadhana (1 – 1.5 hour) – cup of tea, meditation, gentle movements, setting an intention, reading

Coffee.

Teaching classes or go to work at the office

Brunch around midday

‘Free’ time seeing a friend / writing / social media jobs

Dinner

Often teaching yoga in the evening

Quality time with my partner

Sleep"






What do you do to keep Motivated & Focused?


I often remind myself how precious this life that we have is. Gratitude is the best motivation, it sets a fire in my belly and keeps me going!




"Gratitude is the best motivation, it sets a fire in my belly and keeps me going!"





How do you spend your free time?

Spending time with my partner! Hanging with friends and family. I also love to read. Being in nature – for a walk or run. Grabbing a good take away coffee at a cute new place. Taking a yoga class or workshop. Going out for brunch or dinner. Yummy!



How do you find Balance?

I often don’t. I obviously aim for balance but it’s quite hard for me. There is so much I want to do in this life and I know (I know I know) that taking care of your body is a spiritual practice but sometimes it’s hard. Then I can’t find the disciple for my daily practice.

When that goes on for some time I might get et carried away and that can go both ways (read: early night, a lot of yoga and meditation, healthy foods and just an occasional glass of wine OR: little self practice and focus, living fast, comfort food, lots of sweets, frequent drinks, feeling unfit)






What are your thoughts on mindfulness?


Take your attention to whatever you are doing. Feel the breath. Be in the moment with whatever you are doing.





What can we find you indulging in?


SWEETS!! I am terrible with all sorts of sugary treats






Whats next for Lotte Van Graas?


" It’s full moon tonight and I have thinking about this a lot over the last week. For the first time in a while I actually don’t know exactly. I try to feel my feelings more than ever and it’s beautiful but also a little bit freighting."







A little insight into the world and way of Lotte Van Graas. You will find Lotte teaching at Preksha Yoga, Mandrem beach, North Goa over the next few months.


Her next stop is Sri Lanka where she will spend a little time teaching before moving onto her next ventures.


Holland will next see this lady around April 2019.





You can follow the Journey of Lotte on her social media accounts https://www.instagram.com/lottevangraas/ or follow her writings , podcasts, talks and teaching schedule by visiting her website http://theyoganomad.nl/ .


Good Luck with all your ventures! We look so much forward to staying in touch and seeing where your journey takes you...






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