POPSUGAR Grounded - Los Angeles
POPSUGAR Grounded was held at GOYA Studios on Cahuenga Blvd &
I had an amazing time at the POPSUGAR Grounded wellness experience! The event was held at GOYA Studios, which is a Hollywood sound stage, but they also hold pop-ups and other events there too.
It was another GORGEOUS day today, and I came ready to go the minute I got there! I cruised the “Afternoon Shine” sessions that went from 1:00pm - 6:00pm, knowing full-well it would be less crowded. I think it was a good choice, because I got a chance to do every rest stop and fitness class I was after.
It was held at GOYA Studios on Cahuenga (between Hollywood & Sunset)
First up, was the Quantum Healing Hypnosis rest stop session with Angie Rojo. She had us close our eyes and go into our past, exploring who we showed up as, as well as who was there with us (if anyone). I focused on where I was, what I was eating, how I was dressed… learning what stood out in the details that appeared in my mind.
She then went into another good exercise, with the intent of learning who our guardian angel may be. She asked that we close our eyes again and imagine we were walking up a beautiful mountain trail. When we got to the top, there was someone waiting for us there in the clearing. Who was it? They had something to give us. It was a box. What is inside of it? Now they have a message for us. What is their message for us?
It really was a helpful exercise, and amazingly effective considering I was in the middle of a sea of people and low chatter was in the background. Turns out, my guardian angel was a small bird, and he had a box for me. In it was a simple necklace. It had a satin black cord to go around my neck, and hanging off the cord was a smooth rock. On the rock, it had just an etching of a path. The bird said, “Follow the path. It’s a rock.” Hmmm, oooookkkkaaaayyyyyy. That was it. I think I know the message in there, but I’ll keep that to myself. 😉
1:30pm - 2:0opm QUANTUM HEALING HYPNOSIS with Angie Rojo
Hypnotist and self-love mentor Angie Rojo
We dove into a multidimensional universe to visit a past life and connected with our higher self.
Raising our vibration and connecting to our higher self…
The second rest stop session I did was the Slow, Steady, and Soulful with Mary Beth LaRue. We focused on our breathing as she led us into a calm, peaceful, and eventual grateful state of well-being through guided meditation. Thoughts would creep in, and I would think to myself “Witness it and come back”.
She talked about having a shitty day last week, and how she closed her computer, grabbed a blanket and took off to the park and sat in the sun. As she explained, another thought crept in, “Must do that when having a shitty day…” Another thought, “But lately I have a lot of shitty days…”. Another thought, “That’s a lot of days leaving to go to the park. I have to work. I can’t just take off to the park…”
OMG, “Witness it and come back.” To. Present. Moment.
What can I say, I need to work on my meditation skills. But that’s why I was there and I felt calm and collected after the 30 minutes.
2:10pm - 2:40pm SLOW, STEADY, and soulful with mary beth larue
Yoga teacher, mentor, and Rock Your Bliss cofounder Mary Beth LaRue
We took our thoughts off autopilot and connected to the present moment in a deeply nourishing guided meditation with yoga teacher, mentor, and Rock Your Bliss cofounder Mary Beth LaRue.
Next up, I had to run out to my car to put more money in the meter. So LA. It took me out of my zen zone for just a bit. But thankfully, even though the meter was flashing red, I didn’t get a ticket. Good Karma.
I had signed up for a fitness class prior to showing up, so I raced back to get into the line. I didn’t have to wait very long, because shortly after they started shuttling us in. The wherehouse had cool vibe with graffiti on the walls and neon lights. This was the Body by Simone fitness class with Simone de la Rue.
It was really fun and invigorating, even though I had a bit of a challenge keeping up with the dance moves. Coordination is not my friend. This is often why I don’t take cardio classes at the gym, and instead opt for the cardio machines and weights. As we went along, it deed seem like I tended to remember the “masculine” AKA “shade” moves more than the “feminine” AKA “light” moves. By the end, we did the light and shade routines combined, and I was sweaty and exhausted. Although I did muster up the energy to get a selfie with Simone, which was really cool btw, and I got a chance to thank her. It truly was a fun class and I am getting sorer by the minute as I type this.
So it wasn’t just a bunch of bouncing around, it was some serious working out! If I was close enough to either West Hollywood or Brentwood, I would definitely take her class. Check out the intro below…then I had to get serious and put my phone down.
3:00pm - 3:35pm GET IN THE GROOVE SPONSORED BY NATURE’S WAY ALIVE! with Simone de la Rue
Lots of hip rolls with Simone de la Rue!
I def got moving at trainer Simone de la Rue's much-loved dance-cardio class. High-intensity cardio mixed with strength training energized my mind, body, and spirit.
I love me some skin care, so last up was the Clean Beauty rest stop class. POPSUGAR Fitness producer Kahnita Wilkerson was at the helm, asking the tough questions to skincare guru and Natural Feeling Spa owner Adina Diaz, C & The Moon founder Carson Meyer, and Tower 28 Beauty founder Amy Liu. They delved into everything you need to know about cleaning up your beauty routine, which naturally segwayed into why each of them started their business.
Think all your skin care products are safe? Think again. In the US, only 38 ingredients are banned from skincare vs 1,300 ingredients in Europe. The takeaway here is do your due diligence and research what is in the products you use each day, and the products your kiddos use. A helpful resource >> EWG’s Skin Deep.
3:50pm - 4:15pm Clean Beauty with Adina Diaz, Carson Meyer, and Amy Liu
Thankfully, clean beauty is becoming increasingly more important to consumers.
It’s time to dethrone toxic ingredients and make room for the new wave of clean beauty.
In the video below, each founder names the #1 ingredient that they would avoid in skincare products, as well as the one skincare product that they can’t live without. Their answers may surprise you…
After the talk ended, I went over to a nearby booth and got a warm cup of Natural Vitality CALM. It’s a powder supplement that helps replenish the body's magnesium levels. Surprisingly it tasted good, so I took a bottle to take home. Should come in handy for those stressful days.
And that’s a wrap! I had a great time at #POPSUGARgrounded and am looking forward to it next year. On the way home I felt happy, calm, and tired (the good kinda tired). This was my postcard view through my car window on my way back over the hill. Feeling authentically grateful. 😌
Typical Los Angeles view — palm trees peeking over bungalow buildings and hoods of cars.