We were lucky to catch up with Kristin Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristin , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding one’s purpose is always right in front of you. It’s the simple things that make you feel a sense of inner peace. Our society creates this idea that one’s path or purpose is a specific career or a specific way of life which can easily be manipulated by those around you or by your own ego. It’s actually much more simple than that. Narrowing down your purpose to one specific idea or field lacks a sense of curiosity and courage. My purpose in life has ebbed and flowed throughout my life. There has been one consistent factor: to serve. I do this in many ways; everyday. I offer guidance when asked by friends and family. I offer encouragement to strangers when they strike up a conversation. The thing that fills my cup most is serving others. I discovered my purpose through quieting my mind and following my soul. I always follow my heart. That is where the answers lie.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My journey has been a winding one. I have been teaching art classes for a number of years in a variety of settings from public schools to nonprofit refugee programs. What I found most fulfilling for myself and others is an art-for-therapy approach. Breaking down the expectations of what art is supposed to look like and focusing on what it feels like. Being able to release those expectations, find your creative flow, and come out with something that’s truly your own is one of the best forms of art.
Turning the lense into my personal life, I’ve been studying and practicing yoga for about 11 years. After dealing with postpartum depression symptoms, I started taking a Vinyasa Power Yoga class with a woman named Ying-Fen. Her energy, fire, and light that she brings to each and every class reignited the spark in myself. Watching her teach these classes reminded me of who I am and what I have to offer. Soon after taking her class I began my own yoga teacher training program. I currently teach art and yoga combo classes on a donation basis in my community. These sessions focus on intention-setting, releasing expectations, breath work, and finding your creative flow. Both the art and the yoga sections of the classes are grounded in the idea of self-expression. Find your flow baby!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Curiosity, a sense of humor, and having grace with yourself. Putting yourself out there is hard. If you’re willing to put in the work both intellectually to learn new skills and spiritually to allow yourself the opportunity to get to know who you truly are on a soul level – the dark and light parts of yourself – there is no stopping what you can do. Stay curious about everything. Be open to ideas and opportunities. Have the ability to laugh at yourself and your mistakes. We are all on an adventure and winding down different paths and that’s how you should approach life – with an open and curious heart ready for an adventure! Most importantly, have grace with yourself. There will be ups and downs and your creative energy will follow suit. Give yourself grace and love in the lows and so that you can climb back up into the highs.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I get overwhelmed I bring it back to basics. What are my priorities? What can I legitimately do with the time that I have. I have a toddler and a baby so getting things done during the daytime can be challenging and by the evening I’m exhausted! I am always juggling a variety of tasks in my home life, family life, and personal life. So when these things swirl around me in a tornado of stress my first action is to stop everything and bring it back to my breath. I sit, I take a series of breath exercises to clear my mind and calm my nervous system. If I can get a yoga practice or if there is time for some watercolor I’ll take time to do that. I then set my top priorities and stay present throughout the day. It’s easy to overthink things and get overwhelmed by the tasks ahead. If you stay in the present moment and have an open plan for what you need to get done, the day flows much easier and your nervous system rests easier.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @soluna.yogi
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