We caught up with Lauren Robertstad to talk about her life in Brooklyn, New York, and how she gets inspiration in her yoga practice and throughout the day. Here’s what this boho New Yorker had to say!

What do you do to inspire your community?

Create. I photograph myself in various asanas against radical backdrops. Each image is typically accompanied by a poem I vibe with that day. At the beginning of the project it was all about just doing it; Now, I’m all about what I create. Through it all, both my photography and asana practice have grown. And inspiring others to be more aware of their being, both their physical being as well as their creative parts, has been a sprightly experience.

What brought you to the mat for the first time?

I’ve been practicing on and off since 2004. It was an on-and-off practice because I was quite bored by it. It wasn’t until a painful experience a year ago that I collapsed onto my mat for relief and comfort. The entire practice healed me from the inside out- and I’ve had a daily practice ever since.

Who and what inspires you?

Strong women inspire me. I’ve yet to meet a woman in NYC whom I haven’t fallen in awe of. As women, we have so much power to change the entire world- immeasurable courage, grace, compassion- I feel very much that we’re mystical forces, created to bring about effective change. Outside of my gender, nature inspires me. Not typical, nature, but everyday, un-altered, reality. I live in Brooklyn, and constantly get transfixed by how the world has worn down a brick wall, or how loose dirt, and sand can bring textural beauty atop a concrete slab. I catch myself staring at the sides of buildings thinking about how I would frame a shot if I could climb upon it and pose-it is all so visually enticing to me.

The great outdoors is my Muse. When I shoot I go on a “Where’s Waldo” hunt for really prolific backdrop; sometimes that’s atop a dead tree on a beach, or on sidewalk in the City; it’s mute-there is beauty everywhere. As cheese-ball as it sounds, you just have to focus your perspective.

How do you set intentions in your life?

My daily intention is to live right now. My life’s intention is to be more fun; not have more fun- but be more fun. It’s impossible to not have fun in any of life’s situations when you are fun.

What advice do you have for all the boho yogis out there!

Do you- well. We’re constantly inundated with not just advertisement, but the ever-chronic social-media narratives telling us what it should look, sound, and feel like to be accepted by society. Ignore that, and do you; and do it well. Find in this life what makes you happy, what makes you feel like you’re floating around like a carefree feather- and do that. And then, do it well!

You can find more of Lauren on Instagram at @rock3roll