A bit of Inspiration From Kino MacGregor

Today's inspiration is brought to you by renowned yoga teacher Kino MacGregor.

Would you believe that I used to have really bad acne? I would never have dared to share a pic of myself like this with no make-up, foundation, concealer or powder on. I had the nasty cystic stuff that just hurts. Doctors tried to get me on antibiotics and birth control to clear up my skin. What worked? Healthy diet of whole foods, lots of water and green juice over many years. Getting a good night's sleep and daily yoga for fifteen years. No magic pill, just a major lifestyle shift that is a huge part of the glow of healthy skin. Regular facials to clean the pores and exfoliate and re-texture the skin saved me and helped get my skin back to a normal state. And then the choice to validate yourself as a whole and compete spiritual being worthy of love. That last one is the hardest hit once you get it everything else seems to fall right into place. #practiceyogachangeyourworld #onebreathatatime Follow me on @kinoyoga Periscope 😊

A photo posted by Kino MacGregor (@kinoyoga) on Aug 14, 2015 at 2:02pm PDT

Most of us are shy to be photographed without a stitch of makeup on and if we do post a #nomakeup selfie, let's be honest. We do secretly click on a lot of filters to hide things.

Kino shares a beauty secret that do not consist of expensive procedures and products but by getting to the basic root of all things -  a lifestyle change. Actually, this is no beauty secret. These are old lessons that we were taught ever since we were kids - eat your fruits and vegetables, sleep early, drink plenty of water. And as beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, we have to start on what gives us beautiful skin.

I said in the article before this that our skin shows our overall health. When I had my physical exam, the first thing the doctor did was ask about my period. The next thing she did was check my skin condition. Your skin reflects if you're dehydrated or malnourished. A flaring up of acne may be due to poor lifestyle, stress, anger, or blocked liver meridians. It's true that it happens when you don't get enough sleep because the body doesn't have time to detoxify and rest the internal organs. I learned from a makeup artist that I should be asleep from 10-2 pm because that's when the body detoxifies, and this was verified during yoga teacher training, Even if we have all the makeup and skin care in the world, if we don't care for our bodies from the inside, it will all just be nonsense.

Taking care of yourself is the best gift you can give to yourself and other people. It's not just your skin that will show the effect, but you will see an improvement in your overall health and well-being. Being in proper health and the right state of mind will not just help you see yourself in a better light, but it would help you take care of others better. That's a clearer mind to work and balance time so you can have time for yourself, your loved ones,and at work. How can you give positive energy if you yourself do not have it?

Let the change happen from within. It need not be a drastic change like going vegetarian tomorrow and for the rest of your life. You need not go hardcore on yoga right away. You can try like say first eating a piece of fresh fruit a day or having a fresh green smoothie. Then graduate to having a vegetarian day. Or set an alarm in your clock to tell you to go to bed earlier.  I do not limit the fitness activity to yoga as well. If crossfit makes you happy, then go ahead. If you get your mojo on with running or Zumba, then go. Also, allow your body to rest when you need it. Have a massage and chill watching a mini series. Let these makeup tutorials enhance your own happy glow. That's something products alone can do, since that glow comes from within you.

Relax, recharge, and enjoy the weekend!