Alison Levine, known as Ali Levine (@alilevinedesign), is a world-renowned intuitive and celebrity stylist, sought-after TV and media personality, author, healer, and certified Breathwork Facilitator & Spiritual Coach. With a background in dressing Hollywood’s elite and public figures globally, Ali embarked on a personal inner journey in 2020, focusing on the deep work of embodiment and transformation. As an Intuitive & Celebrity Conscious Stylist, she’s dedicated to helping individuals shift from lower states of consciousness to higher ones through the power of the breath. MysticMag finds out more.
Can you share your journey from being a celebrity stylist to becoming a certified Breathwork Facilitator and Spiritual Coach? What inspired this transition?
I had a successful career as a celebrity wardrobe stylist in the United States for over 13 + years.
However, I realized that I had been on autopilot for too long, and chronic stress was taking a toll on my health. I ignored the signs that my body was giving me, thinking I could keep pushing forward. But eventually, life had other plans.
During my pregnancy with my first daughter, I began to feel unwell on set, which I initially dismissed as morning sickness. However, it persisted, and I realized something was off.
This was the beginning of a journey where I started paying attention to my body’s messages.
Parallel to my fashion career, I had been delving into spirituality and healing, learning meditation and exploring holistic practices. This became crucial when, after my 1st daughter’s birth, I faced a very heavy physical healing after my 42 hour birth that led to a c- section and then later severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I couldn’t return to work as I had hoped.
I resisted medication and opted for a holistic approach, incorporating meditation, deep breathing, affirmations, cognitive & NLP therapy and journaling into my daily routine. Over time, I began to notice positive changes in my physical and mental well-being. My body was slowly healing, and I felt more connected to my inner self.
In my second pregnancy during the chaotic year of 2020, I experienced a resurgence of anxiety and fear. I couldn’t find solace in my usual practices, but then I discovered breathwork. It was a game-changer. Breathwork sessions allowed me to release pent-up emotions and find peace within myself, even in the midst of external chaos. I could move from a breakdown moment to a true breakthrough.
When it came time to give birth to my second daughter, I used breathwork to stay calm and centered. It helped me navigate the intense experience of childbirth and allowed my body to heal from past trauma. Not only heal but shift my state of consciousness to achieve my vbac and have a beautiful and peaceful birth. The transformation I experienced during this process was profound, leading me to become a certified breathwork facilitator and coach.
Now, I use breathwork as a tool for transformation and healing, helping others connect with their inner selves and overcome trauma and stress. I’ve even integrated it into my work as a wardrobe stylist, helping clients become conscious of their energy and style choices.
My journey has shown me the power of deep breathing to raise consciousness and create positive shifts in all aspects of life. Breathwork has become a key element in my mission to help people transform and connect with their true selves.
Breathwork is often seen as a transformative practice. How has it personally impacted your life, and how do you help others through this practice?
I assist people through one-on-one coaching sessions where we address their stress, anxiety, and traumas. We start by having them share their experiences, and I encourage them to connect with their emotions as their body responds. I emphasize that resistance doesn’t provide the truth; our minds often weave stories and ego-driven narratives. I let all my clients know, their nervous system doesn’t lie. Deep breathing allows us to bypass these narratives and listen to the body, which reveals what’s really happening.
When clients express confusion about their emotional responses, such as crying without understanding why, I reassure them that it’s okay. I hold safe space for them. I explain that their body is releasing stored emotions and that we’ll eventually uncover the underlying issues. We begin by acknowledging and allowing these emotions to surface. As we progress in our coaching and breathwork, I guide them through exploring the layers of their experiences.
This process involves delving into various aspects, such as inner child work, addressing feelings of shame and guilt, and examining past traumas. Whether that be physical, emotional, mental or even spiritual. Many clients, particularly mothers, carry unprocessed emotions from childbirth or other life events. We work together to release these suppressed emotions and regulate their nervous systems.
Once we’ve facilitated healing, we shift our focus to expansion. I believe it’s essential not to get stuck in lower emotional vibrations. Emotions are meant to flow, they are energy in motion. I help my clients transition to higher vibrations, embracing love and peace. My aim & intention is to guide clients through this transformational journey, helping them feel, heal, and ultimately elevate their emotional and spiritual well-being. Just like in my own life, I have created internal peace. I find more joy in my everyday life.I regulate myself so my household can co regulate with me. It has shifted myself and my family immensely. The inner work creates the outer shifts even when we don’t realize it. My relationships have improved, my abundance has increased, in finances, relationships, my marriage, my children, myself for myself, EVERYTHING. My overall expansion continues daily in my life. I am constantly amazed by what life shows me and teaches me. How powerful our breath actually is when we go from shallow breathing and survival mode to deep conscious breathing and thriving. I want this truly for everyone.
You mention helping individuals shift from lower states of consciousness to higher states through breathwork. Could you elaborate on how breathwork facilitates this shift and its potential benefits?
Through the deep breathing exercises, which involve inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, your brain’s default mode network begins to deactivate over a few minutes. This deactivation allows you to access higher states of consciousness. With regular practice, you can reach this state more quickly. Over the years, as I’ve incorporated these practices into my life, my consciousness has continuously expanded, enabling me to maintain higher states of awareness regardless of external circumstances.
When working with clients, I guide them toward becoming observers of their lives rather than reacting impulsively. This transformation involves shifting from reacting to responding thoughtfully, and sometimes, it means recognizing that no response is needed. The goal is to attain a state of inner peace where external triggers no longer have a significant impact on your well-being and when they do come up, have a shift in perspective of what the lesson is instead of being stuck in that trigger.
As an influencer in motherhood, wellness, spirituality, and conscious living, how do you balance these different aspects of your life and convey their importance to your audience?
First off, I will say I don’t believe in balance. I strive for harmony and flow. I prioritize breathwork in my life and also share its importance with my children. My five-year-old has learned to use it independently, and it brings me immense joy. We keep it simple, especially with kids. I tell them that when they’re feeling upset or “red,” we can use breathwork to move towards feeling “yellow” and ultimately “green.” It’s a visualization technique, and I guide them to breathe in through their noses, enjoy the breath, and breathe out anything that upsets them.
We also incorporate acupressure by counting on our fingers and applying pressure to each one. This helps align their meridians and can be quite effective in calming them down. For my three-year-old, who is more sensitive, we start with humming, which stimulates the vagus nerve, connected to the nervous system. We then use various animal-themed breathing exercises like imitating gorillas or lions, which she enjoys.
Understanding your child’s unique needs and preferences is crucial in selecting the right breathwork exercises. I’ve created my very own app called “Breathe and B”, which includes a dedicated section for mothers and children. I encourage everyone to download it and use it to start their journey and connect with me. There is a section that offers a variety of exercises to help children feel safe and return to their breath as a source of comfort.
I emphasize the importance of releasing emotions rather than holding onto them. We don’t want emotions to stagnate in our bodies. When we regulate ourselves, we create a harmonious environment at home and in our body, which is our divine channel and messenger.
By regulating our own nervous systems, we influence those around us, setting a positive tone for the day.
As a mother of three and an entrepreneur, I understand that life can get chaotic. In such moments, I always return to breathwork for just a few minutes. It’s a simple practice that quickly brings me back to a state of presence and wisdom, allowing me to move forward with clarity. Which is why I provide in my app 3 min practices all the way to an hour of meditations. So whatever you need, I’ve got you and you have Ali in your pocket to remind you and center you.
Your 22-day breathwork journey emphasizes community and the release of energetic blocks. Could you share a success story or a transformative experience from one of your participants that highlights the power of this practice?
The 22-day breathwork challenge you’ve designed sounds truly transformative and impactful. The choice of 22 days is intriguing, as it aligns with the idea that it takes around 21 days to establish a habit or ritual and often goes beyond to create lasting change. Your clients’ experiences and testimonials highlight the profound effects of this practice in various aspects of their lives, from career success to personal healing and growth.
It’s incredible to hear how people have found healing and empowerment through your guidance and breathwork. The stories of clients discovering and releasing long-held trauma, gaining the courage to leave abusive relationships, and experiencing positive shifts in their careers and personal lives are truly inspiring.
Your emphasis on creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to be seen, heard, and breathe is a crucial aspect of this transformational journey. Your role as a coach and facilitator clearly plays a significant part in helping people tap into the power of their own breath and unlock their inner potential.
For anyone seeking a positive transformation in their life, your 22-day breathwork challenge seems like an opportunity to explore and experience profound changes. It’s evident that this practice has the potential to lead to expansion and a shift in various aspects of life.
Thank you for sharing your insights and the incredible impact of your work with breathwork and coaching. It’s a testament to the power of mindfulness, self-awareness, and the breath in promoting personal growth and well-being.
If you would like to find out more about Ali (Alison) Levine, visit https://www.alilevine.com/ Sign up for her FREE newsletter and receive a breathwork activation gift directly from Ali! https://alilevine.myflodesk.com/c5r0wy1zle
Find her on social media at @Alilevinedesign instagram.com/Alilevinedesign, her app Breathe and B https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathe-and-b/id6446133046 also on google play and her podcast Awakening with Ali she gets deeper on her own spiritual & wellness journey https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awakening-with-ali/id1611484354
Book a session with her at : www.calendly.com/alilevinedesign
Sign up for Ali’s 22 BEST Breathwork Challenge: https://alilevine.myflodesk.com/1d4c4253-24c9-42e2-b716-327452d177b3
