Anastasia Griffith shows no signs of “trauma” in her balanced living.
by bonnie siegler • photograph by daymion mardel
When vibrant and energized Anastasia Griffith walks into a room, heads turn, and appropriately so. The Paris-born, London-raised actress made her acting debut in a rather minor TV movie appearance in 2004’s She’s Gone, but has since captivated audiences in not one, but two, hit television shows; as Katie Connor on the Emmy-winning Damages and in the upcoming NBC medical drama Trauma, Griffith is burning the candle at both ends — and loving it. “I love controlled chaos,” says the stunning blonde, “but it really has to be controlled in order for me to enjoy it all.” This is all a dream come true for the trained actress who says this upcoming year could be her busiest yet. “When I left drama school, I thought it was a total pipe dream to actually be paid to do what I loved doing most. I feel very creatively alive right now and am keen to give both of these shows 110 percent.”
It takes a lot of stamina to maintain such a hectic schedule but the 31-year-old beauty says she is aware of stress-inducers in her life and has implemented relaxation techniques to counter daily anxiety. “I meditate. I walk. I breathe. I read [currently the short stories of David Rabe]. I surround myself with like-minded positive, self-aware people and spend time with my little furry friend, Finnegan. I honestly believe meditation has changed the way I understand my mind and has, therefore, helped me detach myself from stress, allowing me to see any situation in perspective for what it really is.” Ultimately, Griffith places herself in reality in a business that surrounds itself in fantasy. “I realize that none of it really matters, not in the big picture.”
Aiding in her stress reduction is membership in The Art of Living, which basically teaches people how to enjoy life more. “It’s an amazing organization that shows you how to live in the present moment and to release stress more easily. I spend a lot of time doing various courses and events with them.” Griffith’s interest with this organization has only increased her interest in finding a peaceful place in a chaotic world. “I’m learning about Tao which I think could be life changing,” she admits, but points out she’s not a purist. “There’s nothing better than kicking back with a cold beer and someone great to talk to as far as stress release goes — in my book!”
At 5-feet-8-inches and 125 pounds, Griffith regularly works out five-to-six days a week for 90 minutes, minimum. “Every morning when I’m in Los Angeles, I start the day by hiking with my dog in the local canyons.” On most days, she follows that up with a gym workout or workout class. “I like to do a combination of cardio, weights and an intense pilates/ballet fusion that gets to parts of my body that no other workout can reach.” Working up a sweat not only keeps Griffith fit and toned, but it also adds some “me time” to her schedule. “My workouts give me an hour a day to leave my thoughts behind and get into my physical body, which brings me back to the present moment. I have to workout alone — just me and my music.”
Griffith admits she has struggled with self-esteem issues in the past. “I feel like the ideal female physical form has become this almost boyish frame which leaves no space for any curves or shape. The feminine in our culture is the round, the emotional, the intuitive, all things that have become deemed as “bad” while all things masculine — direct and factual — are celebrated. Like any other woman living in our society, I’m prone to the pressures to adhere to our ‘ideal’ but am keen to reconnect with the feminine within me. I think I’m getting there slowly, but surely.”
Today, the actress calls Los Angeles home, though she just purchased a New York apartment, and films Trauma in San Francisco, “so I’m not even sure where I live anymore,” she laughs. That said, Griffith says she does her best on balancing out her life and homes wherever she is. “Balance is not always easy to come by for me,” she says slowly, choosing the right words. “I think acceptance of how things are is what balance truly means to me. To roll with it!” But that is not always the case and Griffith can find herself out of sync when exhibiting over-controlling characteristics. “According to Deepak Chopra, ‘This moment is exactly as it should be.’ A friend of mine believes in that saying so whole-heartedly that he has it tattooed on his forearm. Maybe I should do the same,” she laughs.
