How a word can shape your future.

I hope you’ve transitioned into the New Year and New Decade with ease. Maybe with inspiration and excitement, hopes and desires, commitments and a little trepidation that a new decade and a fresh start brings.

This new beginning is an invitation to take back control of what matters most to you, it calls for intention and self-compassion.

In recent years I’ve found that my greatest strength and resolve comes by keeping the process simple and reflecting on my values. Finding clarity and leading with what is important to me.

Visualising a word can be an effective to start. You don’t have to think about this, just slow down, close your eyes, breathe and notice what words come up for you. Allow yourself to be led by your intuition. Trust the process, it’s wise and knows you well.

Once you have your word(s), shape and weave them into a short paragraph. Use them in the present tense. How will they guide you and help to influence your year? For example:

This year I prioritize my health and self-care. I invest time in taking care of my body and mind, set boundaries around other people’s demands and expectations and see that asking for help is an opportunity for growth.

Seth Godin popped into my inbox this morning and his message resonated well, I’d like to share it with you here:

A box of infinity

It’s hard to look right at it.

The possibility that lies before us, the chance to connect, to lead, to be heard–it’s bigger than it’s ever been.

Tempting indeed to avert your eyes, because staring into infinity means embracing just how small we feel. We avert our eyes because to realize how much potential we have to contribute puts us on the hook.

But whether we ignore it or not, the infinity of possibility remains.

Dance with it.

—Seth Godin

My wish for you this year and decade is to realize that your potential is limitless. Start by working from the inside out.

Where will you choose to focus your energy?

Wherever that is, you’ll find your flow.

2020 is mapping out to be a year of travel and adventure for my family. My husband is planning his bucket list hike across the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada in May (remember Cheryl Strayed and Wild?), it should take him 4 ½- 5 months.

My youngest son will finish his Matura this year and then travel around Australia for 3 ½ months.

When you read this I’ll have arrived in Budapest for a 5-day intensive workshop as I embark on a 6-month professional training program with two more workshops scheduled in southern Portugal.

On 1st January, knowing all that was to come in the next 9 months, I chose to begin the New Year by easing into a long, yin yoga practice at home.

I rolled the mat out under the Christmas tree and took time to relax in deep sensation. Taking time to be fully present and surrender, to find quality in the silence, in the tension and to liberate energy in body.

The yin practice allowed me to be with initial discomfort and trust in letting go. There’s a beauty and depth in experiencing that without striving to go deeper, with time it just happens. Then there’s a powerful shift that can happen when you transition out of a pose and notice what has been released. I share this because this practice can have a profound effect on how you approach your life off the mat. There are many parallels.

If you’d like to learn how to incorporate yin into your existing yoga practice, I’ll be leading a yoga and self-care retreat in beautiful Tessin again in May. This is ideal for those who also live further afield or abroad and wouldn’t normally have access to my local classes in Luzern.

Renew and Recharge
YOGA AND SELF-CARE RETREAT
24-28 May 2020 – Tessin, Switzerland

If you’d like to join me, I’d love to welcome you. Find out more and reserve your spot here. We sold out last year so, please, don’t wait if you are interested.

In the meantime, please share with me your word, your intention and your dreams for 2020 and beyond. Put them out into the world and let me help support you and hold you accountable.

Karen x

PS. The yoga and self-care retreat in Tessin was such a memorable event last year. Will you join me?