Yoga Pathways

Ah, the end of November. That magical time of year when Christmas lights twinkle, mince pies fill the supermarket shelves, and I try to remember what’s actually happened in the last 11 months (why is that harder than it should be?). It’s my annual ritual: reflect, review, and practice shifting my focus from the endless list of things I didn’t get around to, to celebrating the things I did. Because let’s be real—it’s far easier to gloss over our wins while fixating on the unfinished to-do list.

At the start of 2024, my one-word intention was “deepen.” After the whirlwind chaos that was 2023, I desperately needed focus. I’m naturally prone to excessive enthusiasm, which is fabulous for dreaming big but terrible for actually remembering where I left my car keys. So, 2024 became the year of doing less but doing it better. Essentially, I was attempting to channel the yoga equivalent of Marie Kondo.

Decluttering My Calendar

Back in January, my schedule looked like a yoga buffet: six in-person classes, chair yoga, two children’s afterschool clubs, plus my morning yoga and meditation membership. It was all very zen—until I realised I didn’t have time to actually breathe. So, in the spirit of “deepening,” I let go of things that didn’t spark joy (goodbye, afterschool clubs) and focused on what I truly love: teaching adults, running retreats, and occasionally remembering to breathe myself.

Deep Dive into 2024

My Inner Yoga Nerd One of the highlights of 2024 was discovering the teacher. Based in the US, married to an anatomist (because, why not?), and casually teaching a full yoga class from her RV without demonstrating a single pose—it was both wildly inspiring and mildly irritating. Imagine someone baking a perfect soufflé on their first try. Instead of sulking, I’ve thrown myself into learning from her. And yes, my husband and I now spend our evenings watching YouTube videos on ‘Living the Van Life.’ Stay tuned.

Meditation: The Real MVP If you’d told 2022-me that I’d be meditating for 20 minutes a day, I’d have laughed (probably while spilling my coffee). But here we are. This year, I upped my meditation game, and it’s been transformative. I’m less reactive, more patient, and finally able to survive family WhatsApp chats without muting the group. As a result, I’ve signed up to train as a meditation teacher. Call me a nerd, but this stuff lights me up.

Learning to Say No

Saying no isn’t easy, especially when you genuinely love doing all the things. But this year, I’ve been intentional. I’ve stopped trying to do it all and focused on the activities that bring me joy—like wild swimming, cycling, and devouring books. And while my house only ever gets cleaned when guests are coming, and some dinners are still just a bag of crisps, I’m calling it balance.

My Proudest Achievement

Drumroll, please… I wrote a blog every week in 2024 (well, except for that one week when life got the better of me). It’s not glamorous, but it’s been an anchor—kind of like flossing for the soul. Some weeks, the blogs practically wrote themselves. Other weeks, I found myself staring blankly at my laptop at dawn, muttering, “Why did I agree to this?” But I kept going, and for that, I’m chuffed to bits.

Looking Ahead to 2025

I haven’t landed on my one-word intention for 2025 just yet, but the year’s shaping up nicely. In February, I’m heading to India for a 10-day yoga immersion for yoga teachers. And in March, I’ll qualify as a meditation teacher—proof that even the most restless among us can embrace focus (with a hefty dose of discipline and a clear sense of why).

2024 has been a year of letting go and leaning in. I’m not perfect (nor aspiring to be—plants still die on my watch), but I’ve made meaningful strides towards the life I want to live. Here’s to 2025: let’s make it deeper, more joyful, and perhaps even sprinkled with camper van adventures.

Over to You

What about you? Did you set intentions for 2024, or did you wing it and hope for the best? As the year draws to a close, take a moment to reflect:

• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• What do you want 2025 to feel like?

Whether it’s a single word or a laundry list, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Or join me for my live Zoom event, “Intention Setting for January 2025,” where we’ll dig into these questions together. Let’s move forward with purpose—and maybe a bit of laughter, too.