The Power of Slowing Down in the Heart of Winter

Winter reflections, January 2026.

This text was first written in the heart of winter, during one of those weeks when the nervous system feels overstimulated and the pace of life refuses to slow down. It’s a reflection on seasonal rhythm, parenting, fatigue, and the quiet power of choosing to pause when everything seems to accelerate.

Hello,

Does January feel like a slap to the nervous system to you?

Holiday gave me rest, but going back to the family routine was harsh. Football got canceled yesterday, thank god. Two and a half hours in this weather, driving an hour each way, is really not my favorite part of parenting. We're also back into mock exam revisions.

I won't load my mental load onto you. Everyone is busy. But if, like me, you need regular slowdown practice to help rest and recharge, that's what I'm here for.

We are in the heart of winter. Yes, we're still two months from spring. And that's fine. We just need to yield into this energy. I'm not saying completely hibernate (sounds nice, but not realistic), but bring nuggets of slowness into your life.

I personally feel like this is my secret power: life pressing and pushing me, and me pushing both feet on the brake.

The practice energy will change and shift as the season picks up. It will all come naturally. But for now, we need slow and quiet.

I've been thinking about Blue Monday, the second Monday of January, when everyone seems to agree we must feel low. But maybe it's not about a date on the calendar. (Although we have reached a point where soon we're going to see “Happy Blue Monday” cards appear on our shop shelves.)

Maybe it's a signal. A call from our body to slow down, pause, and realign, even when society insists we keep moving.

Lately I've been hoping for a little episode of snow. First, to slow down the whole city. Second, to bring some magic to this month. The white, the quiet. Just enough so I can still drive around, obviously ;) but also enough that it's all covered in white and the sun can reflect its thousands of sparkles on it. Tame the city noises for a little and give my eyes a rest with the purity and softness of the white all around.

How did you like the eye yoga practice we did on Wednesday? Did it help you notice the link between your racing thoughts (brain activity) and your eye muscles (body), their real speed? Interesting how one will calm the other.

I am here to teach you everything I have learned and practiced about yoga, and yoga as a way of living, to bring some humanness back into our bodies in a very loud, distraction-filled world.

See you soon, Hélène