Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Vericella.
Hi Cristina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in LA- into a spirited Italian family, where food, art, music, and creativity are the love language that my siblings and I continue to share to this day. I grew up in the hospitality industry, a restaurant and special events business, where entertaining and hosting were the focus of our lives. As a family, we created a community, a home away from home, where we all worked together. Building a foundation from the ground up was a labor of love, and I attribute the gratitude that I have for “living your life’s passions” to my parents.
Since I can recall, I felt compelled to help others, as I was deeply tuned in to the energy around me. Later, I learned how to healthfully process, trust, and create healthy boundaries and began using this gift to balance both nurturing those who needed help and being nurtured and cared for.
Naturally, I was drawn to activities, (especially in nature) that brought me peace and nurtured my creative free spirit! I distinctly remember a day in early fall when my mom took me to a YogaWorks studio for a class. I was 10 years old, and back then, there weren’t many classes for children. An overwhelming sense of calm swept over my entire body, a feeling that I’ll never forget. My early yoga and meditation journey carefully planted the seeds of where I am blooming today.
I graduated with a BA in Fine Arts from CalArts, where I absorbed myself in cultural anthropology, music, painting, performance art, and mixed media. My passions encouraged me to enroll in art shows, where I sold unique and curated custom pieces.
During my third year of university, I felt a strong desire to move to Italy. I planned my pathway there and moved a few months after I graduated. I enrolled at Florence University of the Arts while immersing, working, and creating lifelong friendships in the magnificent Renaissance city. I fell deeply in love with the flow of living life at a slower pace, “Il dolce far niente,” which means “the sweetness of doing nothing”. It was a daily reminder to enjoy the present moment.
Soon after I moved back home to LA, I began working at my family’s business while taking courses in psychology, holistic nutrition, and mindfulness meditation- as well as certification programs for yoga, anatomy, and meditation. I often guided meditations and yoga for the staff, private clients, and the community. A few months later, I met my husband at a dog park with our dogs! We love saying how our dogs brought us together. Years later, I felt a shift to embrace my calling to guide, comfort, and help people discover balance through mindfulness practices full-time.
During the pandemic, our world shut down, but there was a closeness in the community, and I began guiding 1:1 and community group meditation, movement, and sound healing sessions virtually. A year later, I became ill and relied on my practices to help navigate myself back to health. I created connections with so many beautiful souls who were struggling with health. With patience and a soft approach, mindful practices, and holistic functional nutrition, I presented a refreshing and approachable way for clients, friends, and family to begin their healing journeys.
My business is growing and evolving every day. I will be weaving in more nourishing cooking, unique day retreats, and collabs for our LA community and vast communities to enjoy. The future is a bright one! I wholeheartedly believe in creating heart-awakening experiences with the utmost love, care, and nourishment for the nervous system and our souls. Through all of life’s joys, blessings, and pain, I am deeply grateful for my journey and for being here to continue to learn, grow, inspire and share!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My life thus far has truly been a blessing, and I’m forever grateful to now embrace every past, present, and future challenge as valuable lessons. I must say that this took a big perspective shift, and once I discovered my meditation practice, that’s when I learned how to embrace and forgive myself and others, and how to grow from and forgive the pain of the past. It was a BIG sigh of relief to learn how not to hold onto things that didn’t serve my whole self.
Life is in constant evolution, each day brings about new opportunities both enriching and challenging. I wouldn’t be here today sharing my journey and life’s work with you without the obstacles that have shaped my life for the better.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am an artist at heart, and my small business is lovingly evolving in the health and wellness space. I offer deeply nourishing lifestyle practices, gentle guidance, and unique gatherings for all to refresh and rejuvenate through: mindful living practices, soundbaths, meditation, yoga, outdoor adventure, wholesome day retreats, and nutritiously delicious food.
My intention has always been to approach self-care in simple ways for all experience levels, that people can relish from home, in person with me 1:1, and in a safe group setting. In this intentional space, I weave various modalities into each enriching experience that I curate. I’ll be launching my new YouTube channel very soon with enriching practices that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
I love collaborating with like-minded individuals, small businesses, and health + wellness companies to spread mindfulness throughout our communities. There’s so much more to come, stay in touch, and I look forward to sharing new offerings with you!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My daily routine starts with meditation and movement practice, which helps me live in a healthy rhythm, nourishing every element of my life, as well as taking walk breaks throughout the workday.
Every evening, I set a tranquil ambiance by lighting candles, reading and drinking fresh mint and chamomile tea, meditation walks, and before bed, my husband and I enjoy restorative yin yoga.
A few simple yet enriching ways I keep my home environment and self calm are: playing ambient soundscapes, healing frequencies, and soundbaths, pure essential oil sprays, and eating nutritious foods. nourishing time with friends and family, and nature walks.
Pricing:
- Please reach out to me for pricing details, projects, and collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cristinavericella.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristinavericella/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cristinavericellaholisticliving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cristinavericella
Image Credits
Julia Vericella
Jean Charles
