17 Questions with EAT STRETCH NAP Founder Cat Aldana

Cat Aldana shares her tips on how to rest, body positivity + what she’s learned from her wellness journey. Read on to find out the habit that changed her life + what she’s working on right now!

1] PROFESSION + CITY:

Founder of EAT STRETCH NAP™ / Chicago

2] GO TO HEALTHY BREAKFAST:

Lots + lots of fruit, oatmeal with berries ++ crunchy coconut flakes

3] 3 THINGS ALWAYS IN MY PANTRY:

Peanut butter, salt + vinegar chips, + goji berries

4] FAVORITE SWEAT SESH:

Strength training in a gym using weights! Never thought I’d say that in my life, but I owe this change to CHAARG!

5] FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO:

Big Star

6] PHYSICAL ASPECT OF MY BODY I LOVE:

My abs, my legs, my arms! Honesty, I love my whole body + it’s something I am very grateful for

7] QUALITY I ADMIRE IN MYSELF:

My ability to be as objective + self-aware as possible

8] CURRENTLY, I’M WORKING ON:

Nutrition + eating a more plant based diet

9] PROUDEST WELLNESS MOMENT:

Leading my first yoga, meditation + Ayurveda inspired EAT STRETCH NAP retreat!

10] WELLNESS TREND I LOVE:

Skincare + beauty routines – trying out different face washes, toners, moisturizers, masks and even makeup — it’s so fun!

11] WHAT I LEARNED THROUGH MY WELLNESS JOURNEY:

Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re doing the best you can! I love the Maya Angelou quote, “When you know better, you do better.” This is especially true when it comes to living a healthier life.

12] WHEN I’M STRESSED OUT I:

Spend time alone journaling, reading, or writing OR watching mindless television like Sex and the City or as of lately, Felicity!

13] HABIT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE:

Daily meditation

14] BODY POSITIVITY INSTAGRAM CRUSH:

@NicoleWinhoffer

15] BODY POSITIVITY TIP:

Shake what your mama gave ya + be proud!

16] 3 RESOURCES EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:

• Insight Timer — for guided meditations! You can find me on there by searching my name

• EAT STRETCH NAP Blog — for fun playlists you can dance + do yoga to

• The Embody Podcast — for self-love, healing + support

17] ADVICE I WISH I COULD GIVE MY 20 YEAR OLD SELF:

Let your intuition guide you + TRUST IT. Stop worrying so much. You got this!! 🙂

Cat is almost always teaching at the monthly Sunday Stretch events at Ace Hotel Chicago when she’s not off traveling so you can check out class with her there!

Meditation Q+A with EAT STRETCH NAP Founder Cat Aldana

Cat sat down with Elisabeth Tavierne, founder of CHAARG, to answer all your questions about meditation- from “how much is meditation mental vs. physical” to “how do you stay consistent in your meditation practice.” Cat also dives deep into her own meditation practice and how it has evolved!

You can listen to the podcast here or click the image below! Don't forget to rate + review this podcast on iTunes and let us know what you think in the comments! Love hearing from you! xx

Improvement - Akashic Record Reading

Akasha is the Sanskrit word for “ether” - one of the five elements. The Akashic Records are an energetic database where all past, present, and future possibilities are held. An Akashic Record Reading is a soul reading - it’s a prayerful process of tapping into the Records to access your soul’s unique vibration, history and purpose.

The poem below is an Akashic Record Reading for our collective community. I hope it helps inspire you to live life more bravely in 2019 and not be afraid to stand up for yourself.

Enjoy!

xx

Cat

---

you are not alone.

there’s so much more to life than what you see

than what exists.

be here now for yourself.

for others.

all you have is this moment.

the most important relationship you have

is the one with yourself.

the way you give to yourself

is the way you give to others.

the way you talk to yourself

is the way you talk the others.

the world is a reflection of you.

you are a reflection of the world.

once you accept that,

everything starts to make sense.

you improve because you want the world to improve.

the world improves,

because you improved.

all you have is this moment.

-improvement

---

Through my deep, personal practice of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda, I feel like I am able to access the Akashic Records more easily and with clarity. Being able to quiet my mind enough to do something like this is why I’m so passionate about leading EAT STRETCH NAP Retreats! We are capable of so much, it’s up to us to uncover it. If getting an Akashic Records reading done is something you’re curious about, email me at cat@eatstretchnap.com and let’s talk!

Let you get what you want - Akashic Record Reading

Akasha is the Sanskrit word for “ether” - one of the five elements. The Akashic Records are an energetic database where all past, present, and future possibilities are held. An Akashic Record Reading is a soul reading - it’s a prayerful process of tapping into the Records to access your soul’s unique vibration, history and purpose.

The poem below is an Akashic Record Reading for our collective community. I hope it helps inspire you to live life more bravely in 2019 and not be afraid to stand up for yourself.

Enjoy!

xx

Cat

---

trust your insides.

trust your gut.

don’t be afraid.

today is the beginning of a new day.

a release.

a starting over.

a breaking point.

do with it what you can.

please,

let you get what you want this time.

---

Through my deep, personal practice of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda, I feel like I am able to access the Akashic Records more easily and with clarity. Being able to quiet my mind enough to do something like this is why I’m so passionate about leading EAT STRETCH NAP Retreats! We are capable of so much, it’s up to us to uncover it. If getting an Akashic Records reading done is something you’re curious about, email me at cat@eatstretchnap.com and let’s talk!

A Message To All My Haters

I've recently been inspired to write poetry. I've always written thoughts like this in my journal, but never thought of it as "poetry." I deeply love and respect words so perhaps all this time, I've been a poet! How fun! ;) Would love to know if these words resonate with you! Let me know in the comments! This poem is about finally accepting myself AND the negative people and energy in my life that inadvertently, but perhaps purposefully, have gotten me to where I am today.

---

Thank you.

Thank you for not believing in me
For it has led me here.

Thank you for filling my mind with doubt, worry, concern and lack
For it has led me here.

Thank you for making me feel inadequate
like I was forever not good enough
For it has led me here.

Thank you for constantly putting me down
making me feel bad about feeling good
For it has led me here.

Thank you for doing everything you could to protect me from what's mine
to make me feel small
to make me feel safe
For it has led me here.

Without your criticism, your fear, and your lack of belief in yourself
I wouldn’t be where I am today.

They say you need darkness to see the light
But the darkness doesn’t have to be mine.

- a message to all my haters

---

Love,
Cat