Instagram story viewer> @lesleytellez> Posts

Lesley Téllez

@lesleytellez

714

posts

3.8K

followers

2897

following

Author of the Eat Mexico cookbook, writing a novel on food & desire. Student of yoga, creativity, embodiment. LA born, IE raised. 🏳️‍🌈💖💜💙
📍Mexico City

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

I’m hosting another Open Mic for writers next Wednesday at @siroco.cdmx! This time with the theme of borders, memory, and migration. If these words call to you — especially in light of 🧊 violence & terror in the USA — come and read, or simply be in community with other writers. The vibe is welcoming to ALL, even if you’ve never read your work before. Message me if you’d like to sign up y ¡nos vemos ahí! #cdmxwriters #escritorescdmx #openmic #openmicnight #openmiccdmx by @lesleytellez

65

4

5 months ago

I’m hosting another Open Mic for writers in Mexico City! This time with a group of fantastic @macondowriters in town for the @chicanxs_sin_fronteras Encuentro de Cultura Chicana. We’ve got son jarocho music and poetry and fiction lined up, and I have slots open for 6-8 more writers. DM me if you’re interested in reading something. Any genre is welcome: poetry, fiction, essays, anything, y puede ser en inglés o en español. Mil gracias to @siroco.cdmx for hosting us!
#mexicocitywriters #cdmxwriters #poesia #cdmxpoetas #cdmxpoets #cdmxopenmic #escritores #escritorescdmx by @lesleytellez

63

10

9 months ago

This is 47! A gathering with dear friends and West Coast rap at @letachinomidesu, carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (I got three wishes because the candle kept re-lighting on its own), enfrijoladas suizas with pulled pork and salad from @xuxu_vinoycafe, a walk to the tianguis with my two favorite small humans, and me feeling good in my skin. ✨ by @lesleytellez

152

64

9 months ago

Finally decided to pursue a creative goal I’ve been thinking about since my twenties. I’ll be starting at MFA at Antioch University in LA in December. In case anyone else is thinking about taking a creative risk — something big that “doesn’t make sense on paper” (this was my rationale for not pursuing an MFA for years) — your desires are deserving of time and space. It may not be an MFA or a degree, but you, and your work, are worth those secret dreams you carry.

Photos: my acceptance letter; the faculty and guests at Antioch’s December residency (apologies to the folks I couldn’t fit in the frame); tarot cards I pulled at the @ignitebewell yoga retreat in August; words of inspiration from my friend @teresa4rwellbeing; my daughter’s picture of a writer in their happy place; a paragraph from Magical/Realism by @vv_angelica that reminds me why I continue in this work; a line from my journal in 2003 (also mija: your dreams WILL come true); a drawing from a sketch book I use to summon ideas in my novel; the raccoon on my friend Vero’s calendar feels like my cheerleader; a gorgeous plant in my neighborhood growing next to the sidewalk.

Grateful to my writing community, my partner, and my family for supporting me and clearing the path for me to get here. And to my teachers for showing me what is possible! ✨💪🏽💖 by @lesleytellez

328

149

9 months ago

Honored to debut my first workshop in Mexico City that combines yoga, writing, and healing. This event, timed before Día de Los Muertos, is about fostering ancestral connection. Bring a photo of a loved one; we’ll use meditation, journaling, and gentle yoga as a way to surface and touch what they mean to us, and their stories that we carry.

This is part of a new series called Guarida Yam, a collaboration between me, @gabriela.rosero.c and @escoda.arch to bring more varied yoga and movement classes to the city, outside the studio space. Stay tuned for the next offering!

Thank you @ignitebewell @susannabarkataki @mslindalopes for helping this come alive, and to Cris and Gabriela for giving me a gentle-but-necessary push to teach en español. And thank you to my Grandma in the photo, whose smile I carry with me every day.

—

Es un honor estrenar mi primer taller en la Ciudad de México, que combina yoga, escritura y sanación. Este evento, programado antes de Día de Muertos, busca fomentar la conexión ancestral. Trae una foto de un ser querido y haremos meditación, journaling y gentle yoga para tocar y sentir lo que significan para nosotros y las historias que llevamos dentro.

Forma parte de una nueva serie de eventos llamado Guarida Yam, una colaboración entre @gabriela.rosero.c @escoda.arch y yo, para traer más eventos variados de yoga y movimiento a la ciudad, fuera del estudio.

Gracias a @ignitebewell @susannabarkataki @mslindalopes por ayudar a que esto cobrara vida, y a Cris y Gabriela por impulsarme a enseñar en español. Y a mi abuela de la foto, cuya sonrisa llevo conmigo todos los días. by @lesleytellez

34

5

10 months ago

I’ve felt, for years, like I’m taking the long way around — feeling frustrated by my own slowness, and seeing the faster way and knowing I’m not on it. But what if the long way was actually… the best way for me? (And for you?) Hoping this resonates with someone who needs to hear it today. by @lesleytellez

102

18

a year ago

Things that are bringing me joy lately: tortillas from the mercado, cooling on my counter; the rush of green in Mexico City from all the recent rains; my kid looking into their own heart; David Whyte’s diction and wisdom in his meditation on the word unknown; a book on gender and eroticism in Mesoamérica that arrived at just the right time; @yasminfahr musing on flexibility and slowing-down in the kitchen, which I struggle with; and my flash cards from the 300hr yoga teacher training I recently started, and am loving.

A note on aparigraha, one of the yamas of yoga, from my teacher @susannabarkataki: “I accept that change is constant and in this I find freedom.”

And from David Whyte: “What we see and know as settled fact in our life right now is already growing and changing into something else.” by @lesleytellez

110

11

a year ago

For anyone else who needs to hear this right now: you’re queer enough. During this month and ALL months. 💖🏳️‍🌈 by @lesleytellez

91

8

a year ago

So excited to be reading my work next week at @laplazala! I’ll be sharing the stage with a host of fabulous @macondowriters. If you’re in LA for AWP (or if you’re my friends and family who live there 😌) come check it out and say hi! #awp2025 by @lesleytellez

50

4

a year ago

With everything happening in the world lately, I’m feeling the urge to speak UP and OUT.

Join me on Feb 1 in this workshop with @violeta.poeta! Violeta — an amazing poet and performer — will share her tips and insight on how writers can read their work and engage with a crowd. If you’re a writer who’s wondered how to feel more confident while reading in front of people, or how to get folks to listen and *hear* you — this one’s for you.

The price includes a 2.5 hr workshop and a virtual reading to integrate the skills you’ve learned. Hope to see you on Feb 1! 🗣️✍️ by @lesleytellez

31

2

2 years ago

Here’s something you may not know about me! Because actually I just figured it out myself a few years ago. I’m bi. 🌈🦄💐🩷💜💙 I’m still figuring out which labels work for me, but I really like bi, queer, and fluid.

Here’s to approaching 2025 as my fullest, most authentic self. 💖 by @lesleytellez

369

115

2 years ago

Thank you to everyone who showed up on Monday night! We had a warm, friendly crowd, killer mac n’ cheese and biscuits, and plenty of love for the 13 folks who read. Mil gracias to the writers for sharing their hearts and souls, and to @blaxicocina for hosting us! 💜✨ 📷: @reyflo14 taken in Blaxicocina by @lesleytellez

44

5

2 years ago