Let’s be honest - the start of the year doesn’t always feel like a clean slate. You’ve just raced to the end of the year before it, moved through the rigmarole of the holiday season, and now find yourself in the middle of a sticky summer - not exactly the ideal environment for setting intentions and smashing out goals.
We often notice the studio is a little quieter as our community slowly re-enters: routines, movement, listening to yourself again. And that’s not something that needs to be rushed.
At Humane Yoga, we’re approaching this season with the philosophy of gentle beginnings. Not as something to strive for - but as a way of starting the Gregorian calendar without pressure. You get enough of that outside the studio!
Here’s some gentle food for thought as you settle into the year ahead:
Meet yourself where you actually are
Not where you were last year (pre silly-season mayhem). Not where you think you should be. But where you are right now, in body and mind. Some days that means a dynamic Pilates class; other days it’s a slow walk, a little qi gong, or yin yoga -practices that simply invite you into presence.
Give yourself permission to leave things unfinished
A meditation where your mind wanders. A class where you spend half the time in Child’s Pose. An ambitious 90-minute home practice that turns out to be ten. There’s something sweetly humbling about leaving space rather than forcing closure (like putting down a book you were never really that into).
Choose the ‘easy’ option
Of course, by now you know that the modified variation isn’t always the easiest one - the mind often wants to push. But if you’ve ever watched a teacher in class, you’ll know they often take more rest than anyone. Go slow. Choose the simple shape. Pick up the heavier weight and do fewer reps. Over time, these choices help build trust - in your body and in yourself.
Allow consistency to form naturally
You don’t need a grand plan to return to your old schedule immediately. Invite a rhythm that fits your life as it is right now, rather than competing with it. Trust that your flow will return.
Connect with our yoga and Pilates community as we start the year softly, together. Join our WhatsApp group by messaging +61 448 023 431.