INTERNATIONAL YOGA TEACHER ALEXZANDRA PETERS ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO “BRING THEIR SHIT TO THE MAT AND LET GO”

About me: I was born in Warwick, NY. Now I live in Maine. I have a huge passion for life and living it to the absolute fullest and encouraging others to do the same!

The Groupon that Changed My Life

Back in college, I had horrible anxiety and was slipping into depression after a really bad breakup, and I was getting into drugs and alcohol. I woke up one morning and saw a groupon for hot yoga, and was like “okay, let’s get this.” I knew I needed to make a change, though I don’t ever recommend doing hot yoga as your first yoga class ever, hungover. It was the best and worst experience of my life - within 10 minutes of the class, I just laid in savasana crying. It was so healing. I kept going back, and releasing and breaking down. I fell in love with the ugly process of becoming more of who I wanted to be, and this was the beginning of my transition, cocooning and birthing.

"I fell in love with the ugly process of becoming more of who I wanted to be, and this was the beginning of my transition, cocooning and birthing."

Later on, as a yoga teacher, I wanted to help others do the same. I really encourage everyone to bring their emotional shit to the mat and to let go. My approach really inspired people, and I started getting requests to teach in different countries. I love teaching and helping people on their journeys - mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Two years ago, I quit my paralegal job and decided to travel and teach all over the world.

Transition into Motherhood

I’m really excited to transition into motherhood and to bring my son into my profession with me. When he’s around one, I’ll start bringing him to my retreats, and we can do mom-focused sessions and welcome in a new energy that’s needed for mothers - healing from birth, healing the womb, healing any past trauma etc. I’m excited to transition into deeper work with motherhood. 

I used to travel the world alone, and it was really a very solo life, but now it’s so much different with a baby on the way. All I want to do is incorporate my husband and son into what I love, which is to teach. I can’t wait to bring the family element into a retreat.

Surrendering to Ego During Pregnancy 

In pregnancy you’re really learning how to surrender to ego. There are so many things you want to do - you want to go faster, lift heavier, flow harder, continue doing things what you were use to doing, but the reality is you can’t. You truly have to surrender into the softness of the new journey that's unfolding and know it’s okay to take your time and go slower in every area of your life. I’ve really enjoyed the process of learning how to control my new body in my yoga practice, it's like I'm starting my practice all over again but for the first time. I love being a beginner!  

I'm really falling in love with learning, or should I say re-learning, how to love my new body and all the blessings that come with pregnancy - the new arrivals of stretch marks, extra weight in all the places, hormonal acne. Body image is something that most women struggle with (myself included) and in the past I've had to work really hard at loving my body exactly how it is. Now that I'm growing in all directions day after day, I'm re-learning how to love my body exactly as it is all over again. It's truly such a beautiful process becoming a mother!

"I'm really falling in love with learning, or should I say re-learning, how to love my new body and all the blessings that come with pregnancy - the new arrivals of stretch marks, extra weight in all the places, hormonal acne."

Spreading Good Karma & Giving Back

I work with Adventure Retreats. They created the Karma Collective - since we’re not able to gather in person, we hold virtual events to raise awareness for the communities that we used to visit during a retreat. All donations from the last event went to supporting the indigenous people in Peru at a time when there’s no tourism. I also support the Doterra Healing Hands Foundation, which has helped save over 50,000 boys and girls from human trafficking. In the near future I also plan on setting up and working very closely with foundations that help support foster children who are battling mental health issues. 

Health & Wellness Tips 

1. When you're looking to make a big transition in your life: If you’re feeling stagnant and just can't seem to get out of your own way and make changes, you have to ask yourself: “Do I actually want to get better, do I really want more for myself, do I have more to offer?” If the answer is “Yes - hell yes!” that’s where you embody resilience and relentlessness; where you have to do whatever it takes to get out of that situation, get creative, and start hustling and paving your own way toward your aspirations and goals. 
2. When you’re diving into health & wellness, and you want to make a change, whether it’s with your yoga practice, eating habits, meditation practice, or even skincare practice - be patient with yourself, and be consistent. Without patience and consistency, you won’t be able to see yourself blossom in the area that you’re trying to commit yourself to. Take your time, breathe, and stay with your routine. It takes 20 days, at least, to see whatever you're doing work for you.

"When you’re diving into health & wellness, and you want to make a change, whether it’s with your yoga practice, eating habits, meditation practice, or even skincare practice - be patient with yourself, and be consistent."

My Skincare Routine

Before pregnancy I had really good skin. It would be dry here and there, but I had minimal breakouts. Unless I was working out - then I would get a sweat breakout on my back, where my sports bra was.

Since pregnancy, there've been a lot of changes in my skin. My breakouts have become more active on my back, with sweat bumps, and dark blemishes have started on my face and belly. My face is a little bit drier. My skin is more sensitive to the sun so I need to constantly apply sunscreen. I have to hydrate my skin a lot more, and do more facial masks. 

Morning:

1. I wake up and use PURIFY ME to cleanse.
2. Then I apply the REVIVE ME serum.
3. After that I put just a little bit of the Argan Oil in my palms and pat it on my face. 
4. Either I’ll use PROTECT ME or GLOW ME. It depends where I'm going for the day and how long I’ll be out.

Afternoon:

1. I’ll apply more sunscreen if I know I’m going to be outside again.
2. I apply more I AM JOY or REFRESH ME. They’re both beautiful & hydrating. 

Evening:

1. I’m excited to start using CLEANSE ME.
2. I apply I AM LOVE on my face. 
3. Then I use RECOVER ME. I put a lot on my face so that it actually feels damp. It makes such a difference in the hydration on my face the next morning. 

Twice a Week:

• I use DETOX ME and that helps with breakouts on my face.

Secret Way of Using FRÉ:

• For the back sweat issue, I use PURIFY BODY while in the shower. I also put on I AM JOY afterwards. I try not to use any oils on my back, and I’d rather dry it out a bit with PURIFY BODY and then replenish all the minerals with I AM JOY.

My favorite FRÉ is I AM LOVE. I really love the Rose and Ylang Ylang oils in it. These are two very feminine essential oils that help rebalance hormones, restore and replenish hydration, and give the sense of creating and flowing in life.

Rapid Fire:

• Favorite exercise? Yoga

• What does sweat mean to you? Hard work

• What comes to mind when you think of FRÉ? Love, Community, Results

• What are you most excited about in life right now? The birth of my baby boy

• What’s something you’d still love to learn? Free diving

• If you were a hashtag, what would you be? #getitgirl

• What is your mantra? You only have one life in this body, make it count.

• What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received in your life? If it's not a 'Hell yes', it's a No.

• What is an issue that you wish we spoke about more often? How common it is that many women and couples struggle with fertility

• What does women’s empowerment mean in 2021? Stepping into your full potential, power & passions and living authentically to your soul.
• What are your dreams for the FRÉ community? That it only grows and expands into a larger community where there’s a FRÉ retreat with all the teachers sharing their health & wellness tips.