MEDITATE IN NATURE- QUICK TIPS TO KICKSTART YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE

The outside world is in chaos - we are facing a challenge of a dimension greater than most of us could ever have imagined. The question is; How can we feel peace, light & love in a time when the external world is in chaos? Time is here to go within. To listen, slow down, feel, trust and to #bprsnt

“Not everyone has access to nature, and not everyone knows how to meditate, so I want bring the combination of meditation + nature to anyone who wants to tune in”

— Kjersti Buaas

“Kjerstis tilnærming til meditasjon og å være tilstede i øyeblikket er veldig inspirerende. Hennes “nede-på-jorda”-approach gjør at hun formidler teknikkene på en enkel og tilgjengelig måte - uansett som man har erfaring eller er helt ny til meditasjon og mindfullness. Hun er et levende eksempel på at vi ved pust og fokus kan få enda mer livsglede - og minner oss på at det er de små øyeblikkene med tilstedeværelse som teller. ”

— Kari

“It is light that turns any darkness, suffering, destruction, and pain into awakening, growth, joy, kindness, and love.”

Creating stillness to go within, to slow down, to tune in, to consciously breathe, to #BPRSNT helps us stay more connected to our whole being. Hidden in this relationship resides a divine power and awareness, elemental to unlocking the unique and unyielding potential of personal strength living in all of us 

When we connect with our inner world, we can stand stronger in the outer world, simply because we access the peace that lives within all of us.

These past weeks I have been spending many moments going deeper within, connecting, journaling, slowing down and listening. I have had the opportunity to visit nature, and been enjoying solo-hikes in the forest. On these hikes I have cultivated the feeling of “peace within” and because it’s in my nature to want to share joyful experiences, I have recorded some videos out there. These videos include meditation techniques and tips for how breath work can help in stressful times. They are suitable for beginners and intermediate “meditators” - all you need to partake is a body with the capacity to breathe and think (and internet connection 😊)

I find that both meditation and nature inspires and helps me to be present. And being able to feel present is so important in times when the outside world is in chaos.

#PRSNT WOMENS ADVENTURE RETREATS

A combination of split boarding & back country skiing, outdoor climbing, yoga, meditation, SUP (stand up paddle board), arctic surfing, arts & crafts, fjord skinny dipping followed by traditional Norwegian wood sauna, chef prepared food, stress management seminar, PRSNTfit functional movement classes and so much more.

Get out of your mind - The Reason Why Modern Society is stressed

We all know that feeling of rushing through our day, disconnected, unfocused, feeling behind on our to do list and stressed out of our minds. In fact, I believe that last saying “stressed out of our minds”is not used properly to describe this situation. When we are stressed we are actually very much into our minds, in fact so much that we believe we are our minds and our identity is the content of our minds. This identification and the absence from the present moment are two things that tend to cause lots of stress in the body.

The key to elimination of this stress, is to bring awareness and attention to the #PRSNT moment. In this moment it is nothing to fear, nothing to be stressed about, because stress and fear belongs to the ego and the ego simply can’t live here. The ego feeds on thoughts and identification, labeling, drama, future and past. In the present, time doesn’t even exist, because this is the only moment that is. It doesn’t need time. Time is future and past. The ego likes time and tries to tell you you are sooo busy and have no time.

So, next “time” you are running around, stressed and crazy, stop yourself & take a second to tune in with your breath. The breath lives in the moment so you can always trust that it will help calm you. It’s like an inner GPS for peacefulness.

EASY TIPS YOU CAN DO TO BRING YOURSELF INTO THE PRSNT MOMENT

• If you extend your exhales and make them about twice as long as your inhales you will notice the instant benefits that happens due to a neurological switch of your nervous system.

• Extended exhale triggers the relaxation part of the nervous system and is a great way to channel peacefulness.

• You can’t be present and stressed at the same time.

• You will not feel chaos when you are peaceful.

• Embrace this moment & reconnect with who you truly are. Then, as you keep going with your day and feel stress arise, return to the Prsnt moment with your breath as a guide

SOLAR IS THE FUTURE

ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE POWERED BY THE SUN

Celebrating the power of the sun as we got #solarpanelsfrom @brightlifesolar installed on the California summer casa. Using natural energy from the sun to power our needs & lifestyle is so great. In California the sun shines almost everyday so solar energy is such a great solution. Good solar panels also works good with cloudy conditions, so don't get discouraged if you don't live in sunny areas. In Norway, where I come from, and in Scandinavia in general, hydro & wind is utilized often. Solar is also used in many countries in Europe like England & Germany. Do you have solar or natural energy at your home or places you go visit? I’m curious to hear about your experiences with it and if it’s been a positive switch for you. I hope renewable energy like solar, alongside with wind and hydro power will be prominent in the way we harness energy in the future 🌎 🌊🙏🏻

THE ANSWER TO OUR "LIFE PURPOSE"

“I am at peace with that it does not really matter what I do or that my “doing” is secondary. It’s how I do it and if I am bringing my full presence to it that leaves me feeling fulfilled and is my primary purpose”

— Kjersti Buaas

BRING YOUR FULL PRECENCE TO WHATEVER YOU DO

P: @BPRSNT

Some of us love what we do and some don’t at all. Some things and tasks feels overwhelming, boring etc & some are simply things we care for & love doing. The truth is that if we are doing a job, task or activity that we really enjoy, we are naturally tapping into our Being. Then it feels like a dream, we are creative and feel purpose. If we are doing a job that we don’t like, we most likely don’t care to bring our full focus into it. Many of us are doing jobs that we don’t like or connect with or find any purpose in. We might feel stuck and “unhappy” and not fulfilled at all. For some of us our health is compromised by what we do. Yet, still, we might not want to change that job because it is stable and secure. Or maybe we are scared of change because we are identifying ourself, our value and self worth so much with what we do. It’s not uncommon for us humans to do so, in fact that how we typically condition our selfs.

P: @davelehl

If we don’t want to we don’t necessary have to change the job or task, but rather look at how we are doing what we are doing. Ask your self questions like: Am I present in my job? Does what I do get my full attention? Am I bringing laughter and playfulness into my “doing”? Am I taking my “self” very seriously or can I be lighthearted while doing this task? Am I just doing this task as a means to an end? Am I depending my self worth on this outside condition? How identified am I with what I do? When your “doing” is filled with presence, you allow for your Being to shine & you start to shed the layers of identification. The ego can’t tolerate the sun rays from your being - it will dissolve when you bring awareness to it. When you allow for your Being to ripple into what ever you are doing, your doing suddenly comes to life, becomes creative, vibrant and will therefor also be experienced as joyful. My favorite place to be is in the now. It’s when I feel fulfilled

LOOSE YOURSELF

FINDING MY INNER ZEN IN THE WOODS OF COLORADO CAPTURED BY ALI VAGNINI FOR ZEAL OPTICS

Ever thought about the concept of what would happen if rather than trying to find yourself, you completely let go and allowed to loose yourself? The practice of NOT trying to find myself feels strange and challenging, but to be honest; to completely be comfortable with not knowing who I am is the most liberating thing i’v ever felt. It’s even more liberating than hitting a 80 foot jump on a snowboard, flying through the air (this can be scary too but most of the time liberating 😊)With this approach to life, I am realizing that my expectations around who I should be is disappearing. Even other people’s expectations are disappearing, as they were only illusions of a limited mind anyways. What is left is just me. Exactly what I was looking for in the first place. It’s my Being. Not defined. Not categorized. When we give up trying to define our selfs, we open up space for our Being to come to life. Additionally, we open up space for others to be just them selfs too. Pure consciousness without labels, makeup, fancy clothes or gold medals. It’s life itself and here in the PRSNT moment we are always enough 

URBAN PERMACULTURE

I loooove and enjoy the process of planting from seed to full grown flower or harvest. Bringing my presence into this process is beautiful because it connects me to the natural world in such a special way. Reaping the benefits of what we plant is like an added gift. Life and gardening is quite similar. We plant seeds. Water & nurture. Love & give patience. Let go. And then, suddenly, we get to harvest the fruits of our labor of love. But, we need to give our attention and presence to each step along the way. And accept and love it just as it is. The fruits are equal to short moments of pleasure, that eventually will be gone (eaten) Then, the cycle starts over again. We humans have everything in common with nature. We just tend to forget sometimes. During winter time we bundle up to protect ourselves from the cold and hide as we prepare for lighter times to come. When spring comes, we shed our layers, gain color and start blooming like we are born a new. We are connected to everything and there are no walls separating us. Our primary purpose is not what we do, but to Be fully PRSNT in what we choose to do.

Farming and gardening brings me into the now so easily. Its a meditative act where I connect with the plants and myself. I have been practicing permaculture since I earned my permaculture design certificate back in 2014. It´s such a beautiful approach to gardening, landscaping, farming and more. I use principles from permaculture in my day to day life. Getting to grow the food I eat is such a beautiful bond. What we eat becomes a part of our presence, energy, spirit, footprint and essentially our performance, I have become such a big fan of eating clean and supporting good practices. My dream and goal is to be able to live and eat mostly straight off the land. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS

"The way I think, move, behave, eat... will influence my life & the people around me profoundly"

PERMACULTURE GARDENING I ABUNDANT HARVEST

Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms. The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action; of looking at systems in all their functions, rather than asking only one yield of them; and allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions. (SOURCE: https://permaculturenews.org/what-is-permaculture/)

Red onions from our recent harvest. We pulled, cut and picked our dinner fresh out of the soil and the trees

Lilikoi from our recent harvest. We picked these from the ground as the fall when ripe

Red onions from our recent harvest. We pulled, cut and picked our dinner fresh out of the soil and the trees

Lilikoi is also called passionfruit.. We picked these from the ground as the fall when ripe

Turn our passion into purpose - Protect our winters

P @chanellesladics / @bprsnt

We can’t ignore the fact that the health of our planet is in a state of urgency, meaning we need to act and do something different in order to reverse and rebuild what has been worn and torn down... natural playgrounds are being polluted and resources are being depleted, rapidly. I think that the outside is a reflection of what is happening on the inside. Can the state of our planet be a reflection of what is happening on our inside? I feel like as a collective we humans are not so healthy. We have so many individual problems. We waste. We care about what we look like, what others think about us, if we are good at something and so on. We let the ego sit in the driver seat, wrapped up in our thoughts and beliefs, comparing and constantly finding ways to separate us from each other and from our surroundings. We have more disease than ever. Meanwhile, earth is getting warmer, oceans are getting contaminated and animals are trapped in our mindless line of trash... This blog post is not meant to be negative, yet I think it’s an important topic to speak about. I´m not saying that I’m doings something better than you, that is the ego again. I’m just saying that we have the opportunity to help turn things around for the better of our planet...

I’m a part of the @protectourwinters athlete alliance and I see what an amazing job #pow is doing to help protect our winters and beyond. With this message I hope to reach outdoor people who care for our planet, to get involved in the electoral process. I also hope to reach YOU, as everyone can be an environmentalist. @protectourwinters have just launched the @pow_action_fund where real action on policy can happen!!! Since there is power in numbers we hope you will join us on this new and important venture. Head over to POWActionFund.org to learn more about our mission, initiatives and ways to get involved. Together, let’s turn our passion into purpose and realize the true potential and power this community holds. And show the climate deniers in office the door.

P @chanellesladics / @bprsnt

During @bprsnt women’s adventure retreat in Lofoten Norway we got together a global community and brought a #pow flag out with us hiking the mountains. As a community of mountain loving, outdoorsy women, we hope to help create awareness around #pow

I love being outdoors & aim to help protect our natural playgrounds as much as I can, so future generations can enjoy it too 🌎 I experience that temperatures are getting warmer and snow seasons are getting shorter and I know that the environment is in a state of emergency. But in order to help the glove getting warmer we need everyone. We need a global cooperation

In April 2018 we hosted a @bprsnt women’s adventure retreat in Lofoten Norway. The week we were in Lofoten we saw rapid snow melt and we had to hike with our boards on our backs for a while before we even found snow. We still had such a good time,

connecting with each other and the outdoor. Speaking of, spending time outdoors is amazing, but with the current state of the globe & in order to keep our natural playgrounds accessible, we need to merge our passion for the outdoors with action that actually help protect it. Whether we have a large, medium or small stage, we are all role models for someone in our life’s and we have a footprint that matter... because in order to change everything we need everyone

If you want to be a part of @protectourwinters or any of their national extensions you can follow their account or go to powactionfund.org and www.protectourwinters.org to find out how, when there is a climate march near you and how you can get involved in general.

YOUR NEXT EPIC, MINDFUL ADVENTURE IN LOFOTEN, NORWAY

LOFOTEN, NORWAY 

PRSNT

SOLIDIFY YOUR DREAM ADVENTURE TODAY

THE RETREAT INCLUDES

7 NIGHTS & 6 DAYS GUIDED ADVENTURES

• 4 DAYS OF BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES, SPLITBOARDING & SKI TOURING. WE WILL EXPLORE NATURAL TERRAIN WITH NORTHERN ALPINE GUIDES & PROFESSIONAL SNOWBOARDERS KJERSTI BUAAS & CHANELLE SLADICS (3 days Skiing, 1 day Climbing) *Introduction to Split boarding and Ski Touring is available

• MORNING/EVENING YOGA & MEDITATION LED BY KJERSTI AND CHANELLE

• ALL MEALS INCLUDED. HEALTHY, VIBRANT CHEF PREPARED YUMMYNESS every day + SUPERFOOD SNACKS AND ACCESS TO TEA LOUNGE

• ARCTIC SURF AND SUP AT UNSTAD BEACH (OPTIONAL)

• STRESS MANAGEMENT SEMINAR

• GRATITUDE WELCOME DINNER @ LOFOTEN SKI LODGE

• PRSNTFIT FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT CLASSES

• INTENTION & GOAL SETTING

• TECHNOLOGY REDUCED ENVIRONMENT

• WORKSHOPS ON NUTRITION, MEDITATION TECHNIQUES & MINDFULNESS 
• OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDING KAYAKING IN THE FJORDS, TRADITIONAL WOODEN SAUNA & STAR GAZING

Kjersti Østgaard Buaas I 4 x Olympian, Bronze Medalist & Meditation Guide & Chanelle Sladics I X Games Medalist & Certified Yogi & Meditation Guide

We are two weirdos and professional snowboarders hailing from opposite sides of the world. We were attracted to each other for the many passions we share, like outdoor adventures, creating community, an urge to protect our natural playgrounds and living mindful, healthy lifestyles. With the tools, knowledge, and experiences we have gained through our careers as professional athletes, we hope to empower people to integrate long-term commitments and intrinsic motivation towards adopting a healthy lifestyle, self-optimization, wellness, happiness and care for our environment.

A central goal for PRSNT ADVENTURE RETREATS is to inspire as many people as possible to spend time in the elemental outdoors, developing a deeper connection to nature, to each other and to themselves. As traveling nomads for over 15 years, we have seen a lot of incredible places on this earth. To give you the adventure of your life, we have invested a lot of time finding "out of this world" locations for our retreats. We have a feeling that Lofoten and it´s dramatic landscape have that extra edge that will give you the adventure you are seeking deeply in your soul...

What?!! I get to meditate, surf in turquoise arctic water & split board with a 360-degree fjord view?

Totally, we believe that everybody needs a little yin & yang in their life´s. That is why we mindfully select activities balancing these states of mind. To us, the power is in the PRSNT moment, so we aim to facilitate environments to get you there. A combination of split boarding & backcountry skiing, outdoor climbing, yoga, meditation, kayaking, arctic surfing, arts & crafts, fjord skinny dipping followed by traditional Norwegian wood sauna, healthy cooking classes & nutrition workshops, stress management seminar, PRSNTFIT functional movement classes and so much more.

 

We know that getting enough sleep is the key to being your most vibrant, energized self. Since we are aiming to provide you with an extraordinary, blow your mind experience (and make sure you are comfortable) we have partnered with Lofoten Ski Lodge , located and tucked away in its own private fjord in beautiful Kalle (only 20 minute drive from the closest airport Svolvær)It is worth mentioning that these renovated ROUGH-LUXE traditional fisherman´s cabins, all have fjord views and access to some of Lofotens finest backcountry terrain, straight out of your doorstep.

Okay, I'm getting pretty excited. Will I be safe on all these epic adventures? We want you to have the best possible experience, feel safe but also get to push outside your comfort zone. That´s why we have partnered with Northern Alpine Guides , world-class mountain guides we stand behind.

SIGN UP ON PRSNT.CO/LOFOTEN

3 MORE SEATS OPEN

BPRSNT

 

NEED TIME TO MEDITATE ON THIS...?

Pssst... THESE EPIC GIFTS ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN PRICE!!! 

• Free access to professional photos from camp shot to use on YOUR social media + print
• Goodie Bags filled with amazing products from our sponsors (valued at 3000 NOK)
• In the mix to win a Kjersti Buaas signed Snowboard + other amazing prizes!!

Cancellation Policy:  No Cancellations, but may transfer ticket to another name for 200 NOK

PRSNT CAMP IN COLORADO!!

PRSNT Performance Retreat launches their first Womens Snowboard + Ski Self Development Camp in USA at Loveland Ski Area, CO.

Adventure. Avalanche Awareness. Yoga. Nutrition. Meditation. Digital Disconnect.

PRSNT PERFORMANCE connects female snowboard+ ski enthusiasts with nutrition and health through a weekend camp at Loveland Ski Area, Colorado.

April 5th, 2016 – Loveland Ski Area, Colorado— PRSNT PERFORMANCE, founded by professional snowboarders Kjersti Buaas and Chanelle Sladics announces the launch of their first camp in the US. This camp will encompass nutrition, yoga, and meditation with on-hill adventures complemented by an avalanche awareness workshop. This weekend will be a massive opportunity to embrace a digital disconnect and reconnect without the noise of technology.

“We are excited to add some new elements to the experience and extend it to a full weekend offering. As more enthusiasts continue to be inspired to adventure into the mountains, we feel it is really important to learn about avalanche awareness and we want to empower our campers with this knowledge, says Chanelle Sladics, Co-Founder of PRSNT.  I also look forward to opportunities to put my technology away as a group, rest my eyes from the screens and my mind from the noise to reconnect.”

The weekend will have special guests from snowboard legend Tara Dakides testing campers antioxidant levels and teaching them about having a strong defense system. “As we all know, great health takes time, effort and knowledge and not everyone has that dedication. Chanelle and Kjersti have very busy lives, but they dedicate every lifestyle choice to living and eating well and educating others on how to get started the right way,” says Tara. Followed by Olympian skier Keri Herman’s essential oils workshop.  The weekend will be completed by nutritious vegan masterpieces, prepared by Rachel Turiel, an ex-professional snowboarder and now a holistic private chef. 

“Your body is always present, it’s the mind who wanders and gets lost. We want to get women of all ages and levels together to do yoga, snowboard, ski, meditate, learn about health and nutrition, while practicing awareness of the #PRSNT moment. Being professional athletes has thought us that it is in this state that we perform our best. We want to help facilitate an environment that will stimulate the participants to get to this special place, because we know how powerful it is! We believe that whether it is on the mountain, at work or in anything you are passionate about, this state of mind is the key to performing to your fullest potential. For us the goal is for the campers to go home with tools that they didn’t have prior to the camp and to know how to utilize these in their daily life," says four time Olympian and co-founder of camp, Kjersti Buaas. 

For more details on the agenda, activities go to www.prsntperformance.com/loveland.     

PHOTOS BY NIKOL HEREC