5:39pm

Welcome to the inaugural issue.

This issue is comprised of things I've enjoyed, shared with and received from others. I'm sharing 90's animated-not-for-kids deep cuts, the first drop of the "Aural Grooves" playlist (for friends, by me), and some things I love that you might end up loving too.

December 2025 was special in many ways; I taught my first yoga class, experienced the magic of community, and the joys (or pains) of resting. This past November, I attended a yoga retreat in the Catskills centered on "moving into stillness".

Initially, I felt uncomfortable with the stillness - being the last to sleep and first to rise. By the second night, emotions started setting in. When you lean into stillness, and allow your mind to release - deep-laden issues may rise to the surface. Ripples of emotions broke through the calm I received from guided meditation and deep movement.

Overlooking the fireplace and icy lake, I stared into the night sky, feeling every bit of emotion I had tucked away. As I allowed myself to sit, I felt more settled within and for the first time in a while, I was not running from my mind.

Coming back home after the retreat, I hoped to carry that feeling of being grounded. I kept checking in with my body & mind. Slowly, I became more aware of the tension I held throughout my body. I felt my heartbeat quicken and my shoulders rise up and tense when in agitated, tension accumulating in my jaw when I was stressed and how my brain raced when my anxiety kicked in.

In my Yoga Teacher Training, my teacher pointed out that my body was "overworking" but I didn't understand what she meant until I felt the release of tension.

This was year of doing;

• Completed a Yoga teacher training program.

• Consistently trained in aerial and calisthenics.

• Maintained a full time job, relationship and social life.

I gave a lot of myself, sacrificed self-care and time with loved ones because it would “take away from my progress” and it was time to stop and tune in.

The body whispers until it screams.

The sooner we learn to listen, the better.

This morning, I complained about being tired and then I said to my partner;

"Rest is not a four letter word...but why does it sound like lazy?"

For those of us that enjoy "doing", rest can become an obstacle to be stepped over or beaten into submission when in reality, we are pushing ourselves into burnout and learning to ignore the whispers of our body.

In yogasana, at the end of practice, we enter savasana. We lay down. Release muscles. Allow natural breath. We let the body, mind and soul soften in order to recalibrate for the experiences of our human existence.

Asana is the practice but life is the stage. In practicing savasana and meditation, I’ve found a quiet (and growing) comfort in sitting with myself. Unfortunately, the guilt (of being lazy) still lingers and the little voice in my head is eager to remind me that I am, once again, wasting my time.

However, like a long-held breath, I can just let it go.

I can release expectations, silence my inner critic and nurture the child within that believes my self-worth is tied to the fruits of my labor.

The stillness I once loathed, has become the (in)action that unites all of my efforts.

When you feel yourself fighting against your body's need for rest, remember this:

• You are not lazy for sleeping.

• You are not lazy for taking a break.

• You are not lazy for taking longer than others.

• Your body needs rest.

• You need rest.

Honor yourself with nourishment of rest. Practice shutting down.

In a world that wants us to be on/consuming/doing/hustling all of the time, it’s pivotal that we practice moving into stillness and turning the eye inwards to balance all the energy we exert and take in.

There’s so much to discover when we finally settle in.

Until we meet again,

xoxo Rachel