Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Boutine. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sara , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I’ve alway felt like I don’t belong, however I’ve never let that stop me from stepping into new spaces; from moving to LA, pursing acting, becoming a yoga teacher, to running my own business. I never thought I could do any of these things, but I did them anyway. No matter how uncomfortable some moments were.
On that note, I don’t think I ever overcame imposter syndrome, I’ve accepted it as part of any process. I know imposter syndrome is a common experience and that it is not a reflection of my abilities or worth as a person. It is a normal part of the journey towards success. Instead of trying to eliminate it, I work with it and to use it as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. I turned to mindfulness practices such as breath work, meditation and yoga. These practices helped me to develop self-awareness and to understand that my thoughts and emotions are not always accurate reflections of reality. This has taught me to practice self-compassion and to be kinder to myself. To celebrate my accomplishments and to give myself credit for my hard work.
Even if I’m not where I think I should be, I trust the process and trust that I am always exactly where I am meant to be.
With this perspective in my mind and heart, I allow less room for chaotic actions, and more space for aligned actions.
Encouraging me to lead an aligned life. Hopefully, inspiring others to do the same.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My journey as an actress continues to lead me on the most unimaginable detours. Yogibandits being one of them! My aspiration as the founder of Yogibandits, is to make tools like mindfulness, yoga and fitness accessible to everyone, everywhere. I understand the importance of self-care and the positive impact that mindfulness, yoga and fitness can have on people’s lives. My mission is to make these tools readily available and affordable to individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. We offer a wide range services, from online classes, corporate yoga, private yoga to kids yoga, that cater to different skill levels and preferences. I am dedicated to promoting wellness and empowering people to take charge of their mental and physical health, and to teach people how to seamlessly make it a priority in their lives.
I believe that by providing access to these tools, we can make a real difference in people’s lives, and help them to lead happier, healthier and more present lives.
I am most excited to share my latest creation, a children’s mindfulness book “Maya the Mindful Monkey.” This book follows the adventures of Maya, a curious monkey who learns valuable lessons about mindfulness and self-awareness through her everyday experiences. The story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations and interactive exercises that encourage children to practice mindfulness in their own lives.
My goal with this book is to make mindfulness relatable and fun for children, and to help them develop important skills such as focus, self-regulation, and empathy. It is also a perfect tool for parents, educators and other caregivers who want to introduce mindfulness to kids. I believe that this book will be an invaluable resource for families, classrooms, and libraries. I can’t wait for you to join Maya on her journey, and to start your own journey to mindfulness.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Journaling, mindfulness, and yoga have been instrumental in creating grounding routines for me to navigate my journey most successfully. The act of journaling has allowed me to process my thoughts and emotions, and to gain clarity on my goals and aspirations.
Mindfulness practices have helped me to focus on the present moment, stay grounded and take control of my thoughts. Yoga has helped me channel my creative energy, get in touch with my body, and stay centered.
These practices have been particularly helpful in building my business, writing my book and definitely support my growth as an actress. These routines keep me focused, motivated and allow me to be true to myself. They are the foundation upon which I have been able to build my life and achieve my goals.
The best perspective I can offer someone starting any journey is; progress is made through consistent effort, not sporadic bursts of activity. It’s also not about hitting the 100% mark all the time, it’s about keeping a good momentum going and staying consistent with your actions. It’s about doing the little things right, day after day, and not giving up when the going gets tough. Rest, but don’t give up. ‘Start before you are ready’ and keep doing it. Even if you think it sucks, the only way to get good at anything is practice and that involves sucking.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Growing up in a city as diverse as Beirut, without too much resistance; my parents let us explore, which ultimately allowed us to expand. They exposed my siblings and I to all the kinds of cultures, religions, languages and people. This exposure was so essential, as it allowed me to experience different perspectives and ways of life. It opened my eyes to the world and helped me develop a broader understanding of humanity. Exposure to these diverse environments and people, helped me grow and learn in ways that I may not have been able to otherwise. Encouraging me to develop important skills such as adaptability, empathy, and an open-mindedness that have served me well throughout my life.
This invaluable gift, along with many others, has helped shape the person I am today. In light of this, I dedicated my latest creation to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yogibandits.com
- Instagram: @yogibandits | @sara.boutine
- Facebook: yogibandits
- Linkedin: yogibandits
- Twitter: @yogibandits
- Youtube: yogibandits
- Yelp: yogibandits
Image Credits
Batroun Photo: by Samer Bou Saleh Headshot by: Brian Love
