New Year’s Intentions
2020 Here we come!
How cliché is it to say that the last year was a year of transformation? I quit my corporate job, began teaching yoga, broke up with a live-in boyfriend, moved (twice!!...moving is the worst) and started a new amazing and healthy relationship. When I think of it like that - yeah that’s pretty damn transformational! But this journey I have been on started way before 2019 and will continue on long into the 2020s.
As I prepare for the 2020s (Can you belive it’s a new decade already?!), here comes my dreaded question, "What are you doing for New Years Eve?!". Then chimes in my inner monologue of "What am I going to wear?", "How much will this cost?", "Will I feel pressure to drink a lot?", "Am I even going to be invited anywhere?" and "Will people judge me if I stay home and watch a night of Pixar movies on Disney+ alone?". I have always felt like NYE itself is more pressure than the rest of the holidays combined. Top that with the requirement to set the typical New Years Resolutions to "lose weight" and "get in shape" no wonder most of us feel like we are not good enough!
In 2012 I had just begun expanding my yoga practice in San Diego. After years of attending yoga classes for exercise (and cool arm balances), for the first time I was learning a deeper and more spiritual side of yoga. When December came around and the "What are you doing for NYE?" question was looming, I knew I wanted to find something more meaningful to do that NYE. I found a studio in the UTC area that was offering exactly what I was looking for - a NYE yoga class full of chanting, a savasanah at midnight and a champagne toast! I convinced one of my gfs to come along and that year became the start of an amazing tradition including waking up on January 1st, early (without a hangover), ready to take on the year! Since then, every NYE I have attended some sort of yoga or fitness event in San Diego, Sacramento, Tahoe and SF, experiencing everything from Spin classes to a traditional cacao ceremony.
Since 2019 is my year of transformation, I am excited to host a transformational experience for those looking to 2020 to be their decade of change and growth. This year's NYE Yoga at Reverence will provide those looking for a healthy alternative to NYE activities, an opportunity to expand their practice and move into the new decade with purpose and gratitude. Mirroring my first NYE yoga experience, we will complete an all-levels yoga flow and a final savasanah including one of my favorite meditation experiences - Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is a form of meditation which includes a body scan and breath awareness to calm the nervous system, leading to less stress and better health. We will work together on a "Nectar List," a list of sweet moments from the last year to be grateful for, and cultivate a positive ending to 2019 before we dive into a goal setting pratice to give us long term vision and short term motivation.
I look forward to sharing and spreading the tradition of a yoga filled New Years Eve with you all! Happy Holidays and Namaste!