Dexter Daniels

I feel so fortunate to know Dexter, a long time friend of my husband, Al. I got to know him well when he lived with us briefly last year. I would get in from work and say hi and then 3 hours later we’d still be talking in depth about one particular yoga pose or some mad experience we’d had in class.. He’s one of those rare people nowadays who doesn’t use social media or a smart phone, and he’ll lose his phone a lot so it’s best to just email him… but I greatly admire it! I think many of us wish that we could do that again?

He’s an incredible chef and so so knowledgeable about food on a number of levels. The most generous loving soul!

Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do…

Yoo I'm Dexter :)

I like doing everything but am currently focused on yoga, food and music..

What is your ideal way to start the day?

Oooh, that's hard to answer as it changes often, but I love to start with some yoga at the moment. It feels nice to get out of bed and straight on it.. Practicing at any point in the day feels great, but doing it first thing leaves me feeling energised, grounded and gassed up for the day. I also really I enjoy having a herbal tea and playing the guitar; in fact music is amazing in the morning! Playing or listening.

Do you have any daily rituals/ routines? Morning and/or night?

I do a few thing on the daily but I've never really considered them rituals.. Perhaps they are? I like to say prayers before food, often before bed and when I wake up too.. I'm not sure: routines and structures can be very beneficial and have helped me a lot, but I also love to break them and realise I can do whatever whenever. That makes me feel free. I've had periods in my life where I've felt trapped by routine, so I'm trying to let go of stuff if it becomes too stressful now.

Do you have any practices or remedies to stay healthy, both in body and mind?

Yoga for sure!! I've found the breathing exercises, postures and meditations all to have health benefits.. Physically, mentally and spiritually. I drink a lot of herbal teas too and will usually be drawn to some lemon/ginger/turmeric for a lift. Connecting with others is also a great remedy. Have always been helped through times of low mental health by connecting with people.

When you need to get out of town, where in nature do you like to escape to?

The beach! To be honest I wasn't really that fond of the sea as a kid, but when I got a bit older I got more drawn to it. Especially in times of confusion or stress.. Also anywhere with lots of grass flowers and trees.

How do you like to spend your nights and or/weekend?

Seeing family and close friends wherever possible. A good gig is awesome but I'm mostly on indoorsy stuff.. I love to cook so will definitely be in the kitchen most nights with some good tunes.

How do you unwind, recentre and find balance?

Music! Playing or listening, I've found music very therapeutic my whole life. I didn't necessarily think about it that way before but I definitely have always felt it. Reading is brilliant also but can be less chill depending on the material. Restorative yoga too, yoga nidra is banging.. It's like a trippy meditation where you're asleep but conscious!! Would def recommend nidra to someone who hasn't tried it!

What is your favourite way to exercise?

I'm into exercise in general really.. Skateboarding is a long-standing passion but I'm working on some injuries at the moment so taking a break. That lead me to the yoga, which is what I do the most of right now, but I love calisthenics, running, football, basketball and tennis too. Also learned to swim last year and that feels incredible ha!! Especially in the sea.

Your favourite meal to cook?

I've been really into porridge recently.. It's nuts how many interesting ways there are to do oats, it can get pretty weird though haha! I Love cooking and I work with food which is cool. I tend to eat weird stuff and experiment with nutrition when I'm left alone though, so it's nice to have people to eat with

Your favourite place to get dinner?

Alushi is killing it for me at the moment. Lebanese kitchen near Brighton station with a bunch of veggie/ vegan options if you need :)

In what ways do you work to find balance in your life? Eg. work, social, family, self

It's tough but I just try and make/find time where I can.. Sometimes that means getting up early and being disciplined to fit stuff in, or sometimes it means going to be late and being relaxed to fit stuff in. I just aim to see the people I love, do the things that make me feel good and work to keep it all going. It's really cool when you can fulfil multiple aspects of life at the same time, but that can be hard to do..

What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?

Family, friends, books, music, nature, herbs

How would you describe your style? What & who influences you?

I'm comfy at the moment.. Fancy stuff is nice sometimes but I like feeling comfy in clothes. I'm still influenced by hip hop, skateboarding and all the culture I grew up with but I interpret it differently now.

What is your definition of beauty?

Truth

In what ways do you care for your mind, body & spirit?

Practicing yoga has definitely deepened my connection to my mind, body and spirit. It feels like I'm gaining a better understanding of myself; which in turn is helping me be more loving and make more positive choices.

What are you most grateful for in your life?

Everything! Sorry, it's a bad answer but there's too many things and they're all connected!

Current favourite…

Book- Autobiography of a Yogi

Movie- O' brother where art thou?

Song- The climb - Flying lotus

Podcast- Philosophise this

Clothing item- Huge Nike coat that's like wearing a sleeping bag

Coffee shop- Salvage (vintage aesthetic, vinyl records and the deepest tea selection)

I usually ask what are your 2020 plans and visions… It’s proving to be a challenging year for us all, how are you feeling about it?

It's a difficult time for all but we are all in this together.. I plan to keep my faith and approach life with even more love and openness; trying to stay grateful and recognise that we are blessed even in the face of adversity.. Perhaps a global crisis could even be seen as an opportunity to further recognise our connection to each other and everything that is?
Much love to everybody X

Where can we find you? Follow you?

Have no social media currently but I'm around in Brighton :)

Posted 24.3.20

- THE ART OF PERSONAL PRACTICE & PROSPERITY -