My City Series | Lexi Bosman
No one knows a city better than its people. Consciously Connected Travel shares with you our global fam and friends through our My City Series. Unmasking some of the coolest places and it’s people and giving you a deeper more connected insight.
Lexi has been passionate with various forms of movement from a young age. She was raised as a contemporary and jazz dancer and spent every weekend at the beach surfing; a place she finds great solace. Lexi found and fell in love with yoga at the age of 20 after fracturing her femur in a bad fall. She became fascinated with the ancient tradition because of its healing properties which proved to be not only physical but mental, emotional and deeply spiritual.
She then became immersed in the practice of Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin for three years during which she became imbued with the lessons and disciplines that one learns from yoga, both on and off the mat. Yoga practice became a metaphor for life; how you exist and react on the mat is a reflection of how you exist and react off the mat.
These profound realizations inevitably led her to completing a 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa and a subsequent Aerial Yoga Training in Thailand. Due to Lexi's holistic approach to yoga, her teaching style incorporates many elements such as sound, pranayama (breathwork), philosophy, dance and of course, traditional yoga postures and flows. Lexi's deep love for yoga shines into her classes and her ultimate goal is helping yogis achieve inner peace both on and off the mat.
Lexi will be joining us as our Yogi/Surfer for our upcoming series of Women-Only retreats in Essaouira, Morocco.
1. Born and Raised or Expat?
Born and raised in Cape Town. But have moved around over the last few years. I lived in Brighton, UK and Tel Aviv, Israel for 6 months and spent a year in Phuket, Thailand..
2. On your Day-to-Day routine?
For the past year and a half, I have been living abroad and in many different countries, so my day to day routine has fluctuated accordingly. However day-to-day necessities include: a sunrise surf or yoga flow to start my day in alignment, followed by a beautiful cup of coffee! I do freelance editing and copywriting work for a wellness company, so I dedicate a few hours per day to that. I leave my afternoons free for private/group yoga classes. This is what a typical ‘work’ day in Cape Town would look like.
3. Tell us some of your favourite spots in Cape Town?
Where to begin?! Cape Town beaches, enough said! LLandudno, Clifton, Witsands and Scarborough. The entire Cape Peninsula is breathtaking. Watch out for the freezing cold water though, its like plunging into an ice bath. We also have a myriad of markets: food, clothing, arts & crafts, you name it, Cape Town has it! Summer weekends in the Cape are spent browsing seaside/park markets where you can pick up some of the best produce & locally made goodies the town has to offer.. Lion’s Head. About an hour’s hike during which you can view the whole of Cape Town in all its glory!
4. Where do you go to escape?
My favorite yoga studio is my go to when I need to escape. ReUnion Yoga is where I completed my Yoga training and is a haven for me. The space is tucked away (in Woodstock, of course) with a serene and simple studio space and warm, authentic instructors. Hiddingh Library in Gardens. The ocean. Wherever the swell is, you’ll find me!
5. You can’t take a vacation, so you decide to have a staycation, what do you do, where do you eat, where to stay and why?
Babelonstoren. An Old Cape Dutch Farm with a botanical garden and seasonal fruit and vegetables. Their restaurant menu is based on what they have in the garden and they have an authentic farmstyle hotel, (there is a fab spa too!!!)
6. What local brands do we have to know about?
Happy Culture Kombucha. A traditional snack for the non-veggies is biltong.
7. Where’s your next adventure?
India towards the end of January. I will be doing eight days of Panchakarma. For those who don’t know; Panchakarma is a five step Ayurvedic program which cleanses the body, mind and soul.
8. Does Travel breed creativity?
In my personal opinion, absolutely. Travel invites personal expansion, evolution, new experiences and connection. These elements make it impossible for creativity not to flourish.
9. The ultimate dancing feet reliefs post liquid courage?
The boogie spots are endless but I would have to say Decodance, Café Caprice or any restaurant on Bree Street on the weekend.
10. Where to shed those kilos, detox the body or protect the temple?
myUTOPIA: Holistic centre and yoga studio at the Waterfront. Life Day Spa: Saunas, steam rooms, ice baths, everything to suit your pampering needs!
11. Are there any philanthropic programmes or projects that you’re passionate about or would like to shed some light on?
There is an NGO which introduces underprivileged children to yoga and mindfulness. This NGO has been life changing for younger generations living in townships. Another NGO I am passionate about is Waves For Change. Underprivileged children are taken to Muizenberg beach every weekend and given surf lessons. This encourages children to build a relationship with nature and channel their energy into a new hobby.
12. Entrepreneurs, Tastemakers and Trailblazers, Where do people like you hangout in your city?
On the outskirts of the CBD of Cape Town there is funky neighborhood called Woodstock. There are tons of freelance offices, cafés, galleries, yoga studios and creative spaces for the innovators and imagineers to create and collaborate. There are also lots of artist houses in this area where creatives live and work, often using their homes as galleries. Woodstock has a lot of graffiti and public art spaces too, making the whole space super vibrant.
13. Give a shout-out to someone in your city that is doing groundbreaking things, and what is it that makes them a trailblazer?
Owner of Rosebank brewery in Cape Town has made edible rings on beer six packs which feeds sea life.
14. A locals-only, off-the-radar, black book spot?
Beta Beach in Camps Bay is a totally off the grid beach which only the local locals know about. An intimate slice of beach with rockpools, beautiful shells and heaps of privacy.
15. What’s the next big thing when it comes to yoga in Cape Town?
Cape Town is fascinated by Budokon at the moment. Budokon is a new style of movement which incorporates mixed martial arts and yoga. Budokon invites the practitioner to welcome both the warrior and the yogi inside of them and this practice supports that journey.
16. Currently working on?
Currently researching pranayama (breathwork) practices and techniques, particularly how different techniques can support/be incorporated into yoga practices and the different healing and detoxifying benefits.
17. Advice for budding entrepreneurs?
Every magical moment happens outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to be afraid.
18. We’re living in a world where our attention to new innovation doesn’t seem to have longevity, how do you find your inspiration to make new waves with long-term prosperity?
The yoga industry incorporates so many different elements and is evolving at such an incredible pace. This allows me to constantly play with fresh ideas and techniques to include in yogic experiences.