On 2025 intentions
Good Morning friend.. and if I haven’t already said it to you in another context, Happy New Year; I wish for you a year of peace, calm and belly laughs!
I want to start this with a moment of gratitude for your willingness to receive my messages, with its inconsistency and lack of put-togetherness. Maybe it is because I am a pisces, or a hot mess.. or both but I have never aligned to well with a structure to these things and prefer to just go with the flow and see what flows out of me. So thank you for being on the receiving end, I hope my words bring you comfort, inspiration and the odd chuckle.
I decided to start my year with gentleness; taking a few days leave to just loaf around and do what felt right. When I taught on the 30th and 31st, I regretted that decision a little, feeling ready to jump into the melee that is January but on the 1st, I went to a gorgeous Yang to Yin, 2 hour yoga practice with Marcus Veda, trudged home through the coldest rain of the season, took the longest and hottest shower my skin could tolerate and retired to my sofa and in that moment, I knew this is what I needed.
The Christmas season can be difficult for so many of us for so many reasons, and while I had time off, I certainly wasn’t rested. I feel like these 4 days are purely for me, and I deserve that. 10/10 - Highly recommend!
2025 Intentions
I have been thinking a lot about my intentions for 2025; I am not keen on big declarations of resolutions but I do want to be intentional with the energy I am cultivating into my life this year, so these are some themes I am working with..
Empathy.
Compassion.
Reciprocity.
Clear boundaries.
Community.
Joy.
Evolution.
Yoga on and off the mat.
Do I really need to spend my money on that?
Having themes allows me the flexibility and openness to change direction rather than sticking to a rigid plan that doesn’t allow for me to be open to something that could be better. Does that make sense?
Maybe when looking at your resolutions, you could look at the themes around them. Did you make a fitness goal? What is your “why” behind that? Confidence? Better health? While I appreciate that SMART goals are tried and tested, I think they can also lead to feelings of failure, so I am curious about other approaches..
My 2025 Core Commitments
I have also been thinking about my core commitments to teaching and what I want to focus on this year. With my Yoga Teacher Training starting on the 14th, I am excited to see how that influences how I show up as a human and teacher.
Some of my teaching commitments for 2025..
I will teach to the whole room, not just my front row or the “high achievers”.
I will cultivate authentic community, not centred in numbers but in true connection.
I will show up as myself, in all my messy glory, unafraid to say it how I see it.
I will craft classes which allow space for people to choose between holding their boundaries and stretching them. I will respect their choices, always.
If you are a teacher, I would love to hear your commitments for inspiration!
Okay, I know I don’t love structure.. but I am going to meet you halfway.. every newsletter, I will share with you some things that I think are worth sharing!
WATCH
My mum and I watched Black Doves over the holidays and honestly, 10/10.. no notes. Sexy spies, doesn’t take itself too seriously. Only 6 episodes, so very binge-able! Thank me later!
READ
I just finished Orbital by Samantha Harvey and it was just incredible. I may be a bit of a space cadet, but real life space usually loses me a little, my brain cannot keep up with it and I was terrible at physics but this book is spectacular and human and wimsical and humbling and again, 10/10.. highly recommend!
LISTEN
Easy.. check out Sade’s new-ish song, Young Lion, a tribute to her Trans son, which will be part of a compilation album celebrating Trans artistry.. just stunning! Watch it here
You can also read more about it here..
PRACTICE
Sun 5th, 9:30am/ Soulcycle Notting Hill/ Survivor (60 mins)
Sun 5th, 11:45am/ Soulcycle Soho/ Sunday Sanctuary
This is my baby. High energy, with a big emphasis on grounding the mind, body and soul. A big inhale/ exhale and reset.
Mon 6th, 9:30am/ Soulcycle Notting Hill
Tues 7th, 7am/ Soulcycle Notting Hill
Tues 7th, 10am/ Soulcycle Soho
Thurs 9th, 7am/ Soulcycle Notting Hill
Thurs 9th, 10am/ Soulcycle Soho
Fri 10th, 9:30am & 6:30pm, Soulcycle Notting Hill
Thank you for being here, have a wonderful week!
Big Love,
Melissa xoxo
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