Magic in Ways You Can't Even Comprehend: Feed Your Soul with Alison Leipzig

Alison Leipzig is a 29 year-old, magic-loving woman living in New York City. Life coach and co-founder of an adult sleep away camp for the soul called Soul Camp, Alison is a believer that we are all here on this planet for a reason and that if we are able to conquer our fears in order to share our innate gifts with the world, we've won. What more could we want for an inspiration on how people feed their souls? Alison Leipzig actually co-founded a camp that is centered on feeding one’s soul for an entire weekend! This spiritual mentor’s soul food? Skiing, nature, crystals, Bravo, red wine, and Brussels sprouts. Oh, and teaching adults that they are magical in ways they can’t even comprehend. Duh.

Are there any consistent activities or rituals you do to maintain a sense of inner peace? I have two consistent rituals each day. First ritual is right when I get up in the morning! I hand my day over to the Divine. I recite a prayer from A Course in Miracles, "Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? What would you have me say? And to whom?" The second ritual is that I move my body in some way. I absolutely love and need yoga to access my inner peace as well as a great hardcore spin session, one of my favorite workouts called intenSati, or even just a dance session in my apartment.

When you are in an emotional rut, what are your go to ways to bring yourself out of that feeling? I first feel the feeling and get curious about it. I don't make it wrong and I let myself go through whatever I need to go through. When I feel ready to move through it, I usually make my way to yoga and move the emotion through my body.

Before beginning a creative process, what type of preparation do you normally undertake? I love this question! For me, it is all about allowing myself to be an open vessel. So I try to eat clean so I don't have any brain fog or feel sluggish and I invite creativity to work through me. That simple intention usually does it for me!

Describe a time you underwent a particularly stressful situation and what measures you took to move through that process. Hmm which to choose :) Two years ago I had a severe gallbladder infection and not only was I under a tremendous amount of physical stress because of what was occurring in my body, I was under a lot of spiritual and emotional stress as I was resisting where Life was taking me. I didn't know who to trust and I was scared to trust myself on which action to take. To help me move through the process, I called my mentors and teachers for guidance. I also engaged in creative and playful projects like coloring and writing, and I just let myself rest. Surrendering to what was occurring was a huge lesson for me and one that I take with me always. I always ask, "Why is this happening FOR me?".

Do you have any favorite movies that always revive your spirit? There's something about The Devil Wears Prada that always lights me up! I think it's all the romantic NYC city scenes (I just love my city so much) and that Andy and Miranda ultimately see each other's truth. Oh and of course, those outfits!

Is there a particular genre of music that brings you calm? Acoustic rock

What is the most inspiring book you have ever read? I'd have to say A Course in Miracles because I feel like I've just scratched the surface of it's inspiration- that book is deep and beautiful and full of truth.

Are there any particular exercise routines or practices that you use for grounding? If so, describe how you discovered them. One of my yoga teachers has us make a fist with our right hand, place it over our navel with our left hand on top of it and lean forward, while sitting. This is supposed to ground you after yoga. Also, I am always for a good stomping of the feet on the ground. It does wonders!!

Do you meditate? If so, how did you learn and what methods do you use often? I absolutely LOVE to meditate. I learned initially in group coaching about six years with my initial mentor Gabrielle Bernstein. The place I was able to touch when I was in those groups inspires me to this day and I love how my meditations are different each time I sit and close my eyes. Most of the time I put on my meditation playlist and go inward but sometimes I put on some chanting music that I've learned of through my friends that are Kundalini yoga teachers.

What’s your favorite motivational YouTube or Netflix video? Anything Tony Robbins says gets me amped and going.

Who is the most inspirational person you have ever met, and what did they reveal to you that never left you? My spiritual teacher the past five years is the most inspirational woman I have ever met. She's created the space for me to reveal to myself that my greatest strength comes from my greatest suffering. It has never left me and it never will because now that I know that truth, I know that ultimately we aren't in control of anything. Magic will bring us the circumstances we need to be our greatest and most whole selves.

Find Alison on Instagram @alisonleipzig and @soul_camp, as well as at www.alisonleipzig.com and www.soulcamp365.com.

Written by Katie Girouard.