🏖️ Happy Summer Holidays!
🥳 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
📆 Happy first days of the Gregorian calendar!

🎄 Hope you all had a lovely Christmas if you celebrate! Perhaps now enjoying a slower pace – if that’s what you’re needing.

Sorry for my lack of communication. I spent most of December (and 2nd half of the year generally) a little more Yinward. Reflecting, resting, hermiting and creating. In truth, also dodging (what for me is) the gigantic task of an improved booking system. Here it is, a month late!

~

So just like that, another orbit completed around the sun. Magical when you stop to ponder on it..

How was your journey this revolution? I’ve been hearing a lot of rough-as-guts trial and tribulations going on for everyone. I’ve counted 7 break-ups (of the romantic kind) – of people that I know!! Isn’t that wild? I suppose those of us who are older, this might feel cyclical or a coincidence. That these things are just part of life..

However, this year came with a set of energetics, if you will, that have me feeling otherwise.

If we look at Chinese Astrology – 2025’s Zodiac was the Wood Snake. The Snake representing wisdom, depth, patience and transformation. An energy that encourages releasing of old skins – identities, habits, relationships, and beliefs that once ‘protected’ us… but now restrict our growth. The wood element ushering in growth, renewal and innovation. If this year felt introspective, emotional or quietly intense, that was by design!! Letting go is the medicine.

Renewal only happens after release. What you are asked to leave behind now is not only a loss – it’s preparation. Ps – this energetic undercurrent will continue until February in line with the lunar calendar.

Now if we look at numerology 2+0+2+5 = 9.
9 is the last number. 9 is connected to endings, completions, letting go & spiritual growth. A year for closing old chapters for good and releasing everything that no longer brings purpose or joy to your life. On a collective level – 9 carries the energy of equality, compassion, forgiveness and global awareness.

Astrology and numerology saying the similar things don’t you think?

I haven’t escaped this destiny of shedding either. Rudely striped of things that I now understand were not meant for me. I started (false-start 😂) 2025 guns blazing, ready to take reigns on 2 massive dreams.

Dedicating myself to:

1) a food (soil health therefore gut health) revolution. Working with an organisation who’s slogan is actually “We exist to fix the food system”.

2) a health space (wholeness over wellness) revolution. Taking Yin Yoga to new heights!

Job #1 composted in my hot little hands mid year – broke my heart as a dedicated environmentalist. But it freed me. It taught me that movements can’t happen, behaviour won’t change if people are too busy/unwell/stressed/distracted/over-stimulated etcetera. Many businesses, and many people aren’t coping. The food system is beyond broken & timing couldn’t be any unkinder with pretty much everyone struggling to afford life in general. Well, the life that we are conditioned to aspire toward.

So being left with #2 – I understood the mission. Focus on root causes. Hone a stone for multiple birds. Let me explain..

Yin Yoga is a toolbox for foundations. Well rested people make better decisions. Happy bodies can pour from overflowing cups. Peaceful minds & softened hearts change the world for the better – immeasurably. There is sharpening, upgrading, fine tuning, space making, repairing, detoxing, creating and processing happening on multiple planes @ once – all from long held poses connecting with conscious breath. If you’ve ever found Yin a difficult practice – this is why. Stillness and quiet is not for the faint of heart. Or easy (I would argue natural even) for the busy and overstimulated modern human.

When the numbing or cramming of stuff into our days, minds and bodies cease: we recognise that we are nature. I have experienced this over and over, and see this becoming in others. Granting ourselves proper quiet time evolves into a connected respect & honouring of self. This ripples out to others and beyond. Compounding quickly!

So – the choice was made for me. I accept it won’t be easy, but this work I am dedicated to. I could write a 20 volume collection on experiential Yin & Fascia Bodywork from only a few years of personal practice and a single year of guiding. For as long as our bodies animate our soul, Yin is a mother of a hack. We need our bodies sliding and gliding to live out our dreams.

Individual transformation seeds collective transformation.

A handful of things from the Yiniverse:

#1 – Classes recommence

The Healing Garden from Jan 2nd
– Wednesdays @ 7 pm
– Fridays @ 9:30 am

Brooklyn Community Hall from Jan 3rd
– Wednesdays @ 5 pm
– Saturdays @ 9 am
– Sundays @ 5 pm
* Term 1 classes are all 60 mins

#2 – Hydrate like you mean it

All your time on the mat goes to waste if you skip hydrating your cells with care. We work directly with fascia – which is a glue/gel like crystalline matrix made of ~70% water.

For an easy upgrade, stop drinking water straight from the tap. Fill up a jug without a lid and let the chlorine evaporate overnight on the counter. Or use a stick of binchotan (charcoal) to help remove/reduce chemicals & heavy metals. It’s free or inexpensive & better than not doing so. (These are simple options if you don’t already filter your water). I personally remineralise water with a bit of celtic sea salt! Take plenty of magnesium and love hot lemon water as a thirst quencher and digestive kickstarter.

Warning – don’t stress yourself sick over active water because that defeats the purpose. The body is highly equipped for filtering out nasties but if you are starting from a place of having not taken care of yourself – this small effort becomes important. Your body has its limits and if you’ve not maintained it in 20 years, this is a very loving and simple way to help things along.

Here is one resource to help you understand it’s importance:

#3 – Mindbody & ClassPass. Booking System overhauled.

I have upgraded my booking system! No more Paypal links.

You can now book and see full schedules through 2 platforms. I hope transitioning over to these neat apps is appreciated. It was a hard & costly decision but I want to offer a nicer user experience where you can book with ease ❤

#4 – Dust

Sprinkled into almost every class soundscape are tracks by Rose Riebl – a dear friend of mine. She is a Melbourne based pianist and post-classical composer who’s work has this often blindsiding power of prying open crusted on emotional calluses LOL 😭

There have been times in my life where I find my way back to her music and it just alchemizes a feeling. Brilliant. What music does this for you? I’d love you to share as I explore other sounds for class.

Her latest album release is called Dust. Have a listen! You can read about the work here.

“Language falls short, music comes closer.” – Rose Riebl

#5 – Testimonials

It is so wonderful when you share with me what is changing for you after a single class. Especially what you have noticed after months of practice. The miracles, the good, the bad, the ugly. I savour it all. I appreciate that our individual paths to better health is not linear, sometimes you get worse before you get better.

Let’s honour together the ebb and flow. Keep growing your self-trust. You will undoubtedly hold steady and meet your highest self with dedication. Discipline is an act of self love – something I keep hearing!

These days it takes courage to be still.

Whether you have practiced a little Yin, or a lot of Yin! It would mean so much to me if you could leave a testimonial. I really yearn to facilitate more and expand on Yin’s quantum health potential .

What Yin brings to your mind-body-spirit will differ from another. So collectively sharing your unique point of view will help new comers, first timers and oldtimers be open to a journey.

> What has Yin Yoga been for you?
> What do you enjoy in class?
> Describe your experience!

Thank you. Love and gratitude to each of you. Happy 2026!

See you on the mat,
Hong xoxo

Yin Yoga, like any good thing is best practiced consistently. Practicing often will guarantee needle moving positive change and healing.

Remember ~ Yin is the balance to Yang. Yang is sweaty exercise, busy lifestyles, power, building, growing, going-going-going. Yin is slow and steady, quiet, internal, softness, cultivating, repairing, enjoying-enjoying-enjoying. You need both!

Spread the wonderful practice of Yin Yoga and forward this on to a loved one, colleague, neighbour or friend. 🧘‍♀️✨