The Grape Escape

Christina Hanley
Sep 2, 2018 · 4 min read

Travelling - constantly being surrounded by a million strangers - diving into unfamiliar territory and jumping at every opportunity to immerse yourself in culture and history. As soon as I board a plane it reminds me of the endless possibilities that travelling gives us. Here is my advice, buy that one way ticket to only expect the unexpected. Who better to inspire you to do so then my dear and darling one, Rebecca Klewstigh.

@zunayoga

As I write this, Rebecca is currently roaming Rote, an Island in East Indonesia where its just another day in paradise amongst palm trees and sandy white beaches. Our conversations often begin with several giggles and back and fourth ‘I MISS YOU’ up until one of us caves in. I couldn’t be more proud of her and the journey she has undertaken since leaving Sweden. She continues to inspire me daily and after reading this interview, I hope you can get inspired by her too. You can follow Rebecca on instagram @happyfruitjunkie


What does it feel like to wake up every morning and live out your passion? Whoa it’s AMAZING, you know you’ve found your passion when you’re genuinely excited to get out of bed at 5am in the morning! I’m so grateful to have my passion as my career I have to pinch myself every time I think of it.

What has been the most rewarding experience about being able to travel the world as part of your job ? It sounds very Eat-Pray-Love to say that traveling the world has been a journey to a better self, but how can you not? To get out of your normal routine life and experience something wildly different is enriching in so many levels; every encounter is an opportunity to learn. It’s not that I’m a completely different person now compared to when I first left Sweden, but what I prioritise, value and appreciate in life has changed drastically. Today I have a clearer idea of what gives me joy, freedom and a sense of purpose, which is crucial when creating a beautiful life.

Were you at all doubtful about Yoga teaching ? I never doubted that yoga was something I wanted to pursue, but for years I had a long list of reasons why I couldn’t do it. I believed I had to tick off each thing on the list before I could start teaching and sharing yoga with any success. It took some time to realise that this list only existed in my head and all I needed to do was to mentally throw it in the bin to overcome it. Doubt can be a tool to better understand ourselves, we just need to look at the why’s behind the thoughts and feelings. We need to see where the doubt stems from and if it is legitimate reasoning. There are several times where the reasons of doubt are completely mind-made and false; it’s simply lies our ego tells us to keep ourselves “safe” from change, the unknown and risk of failure. It’s what challenges and scares us the most that provides us with the biggest opportunity for growth.

Since leaving Sweden to travel all around the world to teach yoga, what are some of the highs and lows you have experienced ? The absolute high of traveling is to meet and connect with all these beautiful, interesting and inspiring people from all across the planet. The hard part is to have my family and friends sprinkled around the world and not be able to see and squeeze them as often as I’d like. It teaches you to really savour each moment you get with people, appreciate the time you have together and then let go.

What are your travel essentials ? Water, good tunes, a notebook and warm socks!

GET TO KNOW REBECCA KLEWSTIGH

  1. Describe yourself in 3 words: Curious, passionate and chilled as!
  2. Your go to herbal tea: I’m a coffee gal at heart, but fresh ginger always hit the spot!
  3. Your go to yoga pose: I love a juicy twist at the end of the day to release any tension in the body, center my awareness and internalise.
  4. You favourite fruit: GRAPES, mangos, peaches, nectarines, dragonfruit, berries, melon and oranges… Im hooked on them all!
  5. Your favourite place you have travelled to: At the moment I’m in love with Rote, an island in west Indonesia we travelled to earlier this month. It has beautiful beaches, the bluest water, great surfing and piglets running around everywhere.
  6. Your favourite scent: I will sound like a little granny here but I don’t know the English name of this bush: Philadelphus Mont Blanc — it’s a mock orange that smells heavenly of wild strawberries and reminds me of long, warm summers back home.
  7. Your favourite quote: This is a tough one, there’s so many brilliant people who said very wise things. For the last year it’s been “If the whole world we’re following you, would you be pleased with where you’d take it?”
    - Neale Donald Walsh
  8. I love this quote because it reminds me of the importance to lead by example. To invoke change we have to be the change, embody it rather than preach about it. If you want your friends to have fun without drinking, you have to have fun without drinking. If you want a partner who’s adventurous, fun and loving, you have to be adventurous, fun and loving. If you want the world to take actions to save our environment, you have to as well. It’s not about being the perfect human, but working and striving toward to become the best version of yourself.
  9. Your spirit animal: A Dolphin ❤
  10. If you weren’t yoga teaching, what would you be doing instead: I’ve always been mesmerised by the ocean and am still dreaming of becoming a marine biologist every time I dive into the big blue.

Christina Hanley

Written by

Clinical Nutritionist || A collection of life enhancing conversations around health, empowerment, self love & acceptance.

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