Leslie Storms, MS, RN is a yoga professional and spiritual seeker in Plano, Texas. Since retiring as an orthopedic surgical nurse in 2004 and then practicing marriage and family therapy for a number of years, she dedicates her time to sharing her love of yoga and living a yogic lifestyle.
She says one of her greatest gifts is seeing other people’s potential and longs to bring her patients and clients a sense of inner peace through their practice. Nature “soothes and feeds” her soul and she enjoys, “… sharing on Instagram, riding mountain bikes, traveling, studying spirituality, eating chocolate, driving fast, and lastly talking on the phone daily with my Mom.”
Tell us about your daily routine:
- 6AM ~ Rise with intention
- 630-730AM ~ Catch up on emails
- 8-9AM ~ Meditation and study
- 9-10AM ~ Mild cardio, typically walking
- 11-1130AM ~ Small healthy lunch
- 1130-230 ~ Work
- 3-5PM ~ Yoga home practice
- 5PM-7PM ~ Work
- 730-830PM ~ Healthy dinner
- 9-10PM ~ Call Mom and spend time on social media
- 10:30-11PM ~ Get ready for bedtime
Personal Motto: With God all things are possible.
Favorite Vegetable: Arugula
Favorite Book: Any Paulo Coelho
Favorite Youtube Video: Solfeggio Frequencies
What gets you out of bed every morning?
The magnificent sun rising. I love to witness the magic every day. I have a lot of sunrise shots on Instagram, there is just something about that ball of energy!
What is the most important part of your daily routine?
The most important part of my day is meditation. Almost every morning I sit for at least 30 minutes.
What about your O is special?
My O is super special because I have been blessed with amazing opportunities to study with the finest yoga teachers. I have had the pleasure of experiencing the world through travel, art, heartache, fortunes and misfortunes. This has cultivated a deep reverence for others. I know how to see through the eyes of love and compassion.
Whose O would you most love to see?
I would love to see Kelly Ripa’s “O” because she thrives – she’s real, she’s funny, she’s motivated – and she has an unwavering devotion to health!
What is your #1 wellness habit?
The continual practice of controlling my thoughts and my breath.
What is the best piece of health advice you’ve ever received?
All things in moderation!
- Doing without = Deprivation
- Doing too much = Burnout, physical ailments, anger, etc.
What is your favorite part about living a healthy lifestyle?
My favorite part is the way I feel, amazing! I feel that living a healthy lifestyle is the most precious gift. It is a chance to experience and enjoy life to the fullest.
Describe your sleep ritual. What time do you go to bed? Do you do anything special to prepare?
I head to bed around 10:30PM. I try and sleep no more than 7 hours because I feel the best when I sleep this amount. Before I retire, I say a few prayers, read some spiritual text, swab on some of Tata Harper’s roll on Aromatic Bedtime Treatment and turn on my Brookstone Sleep Sounds Machine, set to ocean waves.
Tell us about a time you were stuck in an unhealthy cycle and how you got out of it. What was the main inspiration for positive change?
When I was in my early twenties, I really disliked my job and I was in a rut. I slept all the time, drank a ton of coffee and seriously felt awful. I had no motivation and absolutely no discipline. Honestly, one day I simply got sick of myself and started my day with a 10 minute walk on the treadmill and slowly … slowly … I began to gain more stamina and turn my life around.
“The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
What would your one piece of health advice be?
Food is powerful. Period. It can heal or harm. I feel it is such a privilege to live in a country where organic healthy foods are plentiful. I wholeheartedly encourage others to be mindful when eating, have gratitude and respect for their temple and feed it as such.
Leslie Storms, MS, RN is a professional Yoga Teacher, Registered Orthopedic Nurse and Family Therapist. For more inspiration from Leslie, follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.