Q&A
Waves, Wellness & Wanderlust: A Journey with Kiristen
Flow: What does “being in flow” feel like for you—on the water, on the mat, or in your daily mindset work?
When I enter into a flow state, my body syncs with my mind. It almost moves on its own. When paddling I will get into a rhythm and then my body carries me the rest of the way. The same thing often happens on the mat. In this state often everything around melts away and I am focused 100% and fully involved in the process. With daily mindset work, I often show mindfulness for what is around me and stop to appreciate the small things that make up the day. I also repeat mantras to myself during the day; for example, “I’m doing my best, it’s all I can do.” “Keep moving forward” and Trust the process.
Adventure: What’s been your most unforgettable paddleboarding or SUP yoga adventure so far?
Paddling Lake Louise at Sunrise in Banff, Canada. That was such a surreal paddle which took my breath away. It’s such a stunning location! Working the Wanderlust Festivals years ago and teaching a PaddleFit certification on Lake Como was also pretty special.
Empowerment: As a mindset coach, what’s one daily practice you swear by to stay centered and empowered?
I practice a growth mindset on a daily basis. Always learning, growing and meeting challenges as opportunities to pivot into a direction that serves my goals.
Expression: Your style is so vibrant and free! How do you express your inner world through movement and clothing?
Living in the Caribbean we love color and expressing ourselves through it. In my line of work it also allows me to express myself through colors, patterns and prints that are fun and stylish. I feel that my line of work gives me lots of freedom to enjoy that.
Presence: What’s something paddleboarding has taught you about being fully present?
While being on the water is the ultimate serotonin boost, it does require you to be fully present. For example, if balance is shifting to one side of the board too quickly, it will result in a fall. If I am not taking notice of weather conditions, it could put me in danger. If I am on a wave, I have to read the water in a completely different way in order to catch a ride. Being present on the water is not only good for your mind, but it can also save your life.
Resonance: How do sound baths help shift your energy, and what do you love most about guiding others through that experience?
Sound baths help us to relax, reduce stress, release emotions and help us have improved sleep. Every sound bath is done with intention. Some are more grounding and some are more uplifting. I love weaving the sounds together and shifting through certain instruments at certain times to enhance the experience. I also love seeing how relaxed clients become in the space that I create for them as they often forget to give themselves the gift of relaxation. They also often tell me about how they have cleared blocked energies which helped them to move forward with decisions in their lives. It's really amazing to see the shifts people can make during these sessions.
Connection: You’ve built a beautiful community. What values connect you most deeply with the people you guide and move with?
Being authentic, and down to earth with my community is what has helped me the most. Just showing up as me and knowing that I am not for everyone has really made a difference for me. I accept people as they are and when they see that it is a safe space, they often come back to enjoy the water again, and again.
Brand Love: What do you love most about wearing Teeki Boutique or the WithLove label when you're moving, teaching, or exploring new places?
I love the fact that the brand is made of recycled materials, is SPF friendly to protect me from the sun, lightweight but also waterproof for my adventures both above and under the sea. It’s such a versatile brand, which is one of the reasons why I have worn it for the last 10 years.
Travel: What are your top travel or adventure essentials for this summer, and which Teeki Boutique pieces are always in your bag?
When traveling a non-negotiable are compression bags, a portable wifi, to go matcha packets and a reusable water bottle. The Lover Tank is ALWAYS in my bag when I travel. It's so easy to mix and match so it can go from hiking, to biking to paddling and more!
Advice: You embody such a beautiful blend of movement, mindfulness, and adventure—what advice would you give to someone who wants to live more intentionally and in alignment with their true rhythm?
Have a check in with yourself and understand what brings you joy. Make a list of those things and then go explore them. That may be to take a class, to learn a new skill, to go on a trip and experience different cultures and more. From there you can see if those things light you up or not. If they don’t, now you know and can be grateful for that experience and move on to the things that do light you up.
Websites: www.vitaminseacayman.com
Instagram: @itskiristen
