✨ January Wellness Newsletter ✨
Happy New Year to our beautiful wellness community!
As we welcome 2025, we find ourselves in a special “in-between” phase—nestled between the cosy stillness of winter and the seasonal transition marked by Imbolc on February 1st-2nd. This is a time for reflection, gentle release, and thoughtful intention-setting.
While the world often pressures us to dive into the New Year with bold resolutions and grand plans, let’s pause for a moment and consider: Are New Year’s resolutions actually sustainable?
A few years ago, I realized that traditional New Year’s resolutions weren’t working for me. They felt rigid, overwhelming, and built on a foundation of “shoulds” rather than authentic desires. I’d start January feeling fired up, but by February, I’d often find myself drained or frustrated when those resolutions didn’t go as planned.
Instead of setting us up for success, these rigid goals can lead to burnout, self-criticism, and a sense of failure—all while we’re still in winter’s hibernation phase.
This year, I’m embracing a kinder way of moving into January. My intention is to notice the negative words and restrictions I impose on myself, and to reflect on how they affect me emotionally. Instead of forcing big changes, I’m reminding myself:
This approach isn’t about abandoning growth or progress—it’s about building it on a foundation of self-compassion and alignment.
To help you embrace a more sustainable start to the year, here are a few gentle practices:
🌿 Release What’s Not Serving You
Take a moment each day to ask: What can I let go of today? Whether it’s a habit, a thought pattern, or a limiting belief, small releases pave the way for big shifts.
🕯️ Plant New Seeds
Think about what you truly want to cultivate this year. Not what you “should” do, but what genuinely lights you up. Start small and let your intentions grow naturally.
Let’s embrace this January as an opportunity for gentle growth, self-compassion, and sustainable change. Resolutions may fade, but intentions grounded in kindness and patience can grow into something truly transformative.
Invigorate your senses and revitalise your spirit with this Fresh Mountain Walk diffuser blend. It’s like bottling the crisp, clean air of a mountain trail, bringing the serenity and energy of nature into your home. This blend is perfect for clearing stagnant energy, promoting focus, and setting a positive tone for the day or season ahead.
‘New Year’s resolution – Clear the stagnant energy!
Adjust the number of drops to suit your preferences and the size of your space.
For a stronger aroma, add an extra drop or two of each oil.
Experiment with different combinations of essential oils to create your own unique blends.
Diffuse this blend in the morning to energize your day or in the evening to unwind and de-stress.
To enhance the ambiance, light a candle or play some calming music while diffusing the blend.
Promotes relaxation and stress relief
Enhances mental clarity and focus
Uplifts mood and promotes positivity
Clears stagnant energy and purifies the air
Creates a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere
Always follow the safety guidelines provided by the essential oil manufacturer.
Some essential oils may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, or pets. Consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils if you have any concerns.
Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
If you experience any skin irritation or other adverse reactions, discontinue use immediately and consult with a healthcare professional.
The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using essential oils, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
January can often feel sluggish and stagnant after the excitement of the holiday season, and is a powerful time for working towards new beginnings, reflection, and setting intentions for the year ahead. While traditional New Year’s resolutions often feel rigid and unsustainable, this month offers a chance to embrace gentler, more mindful approaches to creating positive change.
Clear out the old and welcoming the new! Create space for growth, clarity, and fresh energy.
I’ve come up with a few alternatives to resolutions that can help you move forward and fully embrace the fresh start that January offers. I hope they help!
Journaling for Intention
Instead of setting rigid New Year’s resolutions, use journaling to explore your intentions and desires for the year. Reflect on what truly matters to you and what aligns with your values and goals.
Prompts to try:
Journaling allows you to stay flexible, adapting your path as you gain more clarity throughout the year.
Gratitude Practice
Shift your focus from what’s missing to what’s already abundant in your life. Take a few moments each day to write down or reflect on things you’re grateful for. This simple practice:
Gratitude practices are powerful because they ground you in the present moment while inspiring hope for the future.
Grounding Practices
These practices can help you reconnect with yourself and the world around you, creating a stable foundation for growth:
🌿 Connecting with Nature: Spend time outdoors, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Walk in the park, sit by a tree, or breathe in the fresh air.
🌱 Barefoot Walking: Try walking barefoot on the grass or earth (if it’s safe to do so). This practice, known as earthing, helps you feel grounded and present.
🌬️ Mindful Breathing: Focus on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body. Deep, mindful breathing calms your nervous system and helps you find clarity.
Unlike New Year’s resolutions, which often set us up for failure with their “all or nothing” mentality, these practices are:
Remember, the most important thing is to find practices that resonate with you and that you can stick with consistently. By leaning into these alternative approaches, you can gently welcome positive changes while staying aligned with your energy and values.
January is a time to reflect, release, and recalibrate. Trust the process, not the unsustainable New Year resolutions and take it one step at a time.
We are launching something really special, Join Anna for a transformative four-week series of yoga therapy sessions that blend somatic approaches (learn more about somatic therapy in a previous blog here), energy healing, acupressure, and journaling.
These sessions offer an incredible journey of self-discovery and healing, designed to help you establish a deep connection with your body and mind.
Somatic therapy: Gentle, mindful movements that foster body awareness and help release stored tension.
Energy Healing: Practices to balance your energy and promote a sense of calm and vitality.
Acupressure: Targeted techniques to release blockages, improve circulation, and reduce stress.
Journaling: Reflective exercises to deepen your inner exploration and clarify your intentions.
Each class is crafted to promote physical relaxation, emotional release, and overall well-being. Through these practices, you’ll also learn to support your autonomic nervous system, enhancing your body’s natural ability to regulate stress, improve sleep, and restore harmony.
Participants who sign up for this series will receive discounted access to our online Somatic Therapy Course, giving you additional tools and resources to continue your healing journey at your own pace.
Small Class Size: To ensure a personalised experience, each class is limited to 5 participants.
Commitment: A minimum sign-up of two weeks is required to allow for a progressive journey.
Cost: Each session is priced at £15.
Accessibility: Please note that the location requires participants to be able to climb stairs.
Fridays, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
With the opportunity to stay for tea/coffee/chat in the café after
Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
To be held on the top floor of the Castle Donington Community Hub, 101 Bondgate, DE74 2NR
Spaces fill quickly, You can grab your spot Here
Sarah will be working with Team Rankine Karate to introduce yoga to the TRK Dojo in Wigston as well as hosting her own classes at the Trinity Methodist Church, Markfield
Hatha yoga, a gentle and accessible practice suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Through a series of mindful postures (asanas) and controlled breathing exercises (pranayama), you will learn to harness your vital energy sources, cultivate inner peace, and enhance your overall health.
No prior yoga experience is necessary. All you need is a comfortable mat, an open mind, and a willingness to explore the transformative power of yoga.
6:30pm – 7:30pm GMT – 10 spaces available £9 pp
Book Here
6.30pm – 7:30pm
9.30am – 10:30am
EARLY BIRD OFFER OF £5.00 (TRK Dojo usual class prices £10.00)
Book Here
This month, I’ve put together a little something special for you—a video to help you feel grounded, and centred, with a reminder to make time for yourself. It’s a mix of gentle yoga, breathwork, and acupressure release.
If you have any question, we are always here to help if we can…
Looking forwards to seeing you at our future events
Until the next time, Namaste.
Anna
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Personal, business and spiritual development coaching, yoga classes and private tuition, wellness consultancy.
Hello, I am Anna the creator of WellbeingWinnie – my dream that grows bigger and more exciting everyday, inspired because of an illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E) which I have had for 25 years.
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