Written by Amanda Dzengeleski

You're invited to a special New Year’s Day Mindful Movement practice on Wednesday, January 1st! Ring in the new year in-person at Stonegate Studio or online via Zoom. This unique 90-minute session will weave together the mind, body, and heart aspects of wonder and awe. We will explore techniques to cultivate a sense of wonder and how to let it overflow into our lives. In-person space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot soon!

As the calendar turns and the new year approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the tide of resolutions and the pressure to “start fresh.” We draft lists of goals and set rigid expectations, believing that January 1st marks the start of a perfect, linear path toward self-improvement. But what if we approached the new year differently? What if, instead of rigid resolutions, we embraced curiosity, intention, and a willingness to ease into this next chapter with grace?

The beauty of a new year lies not in reinventing ourselves but in reconnecting with what already feels true and meaningful. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what’s working, what aligns with our values, and where we might cultivate more presence and purpose. Rather than striving to change everything at once, we can explore what it feels like to take small, intentional steps guided by openness and self-compassion.

This mindset shift starts by releasing the need for perfection. Resolutions often come with a binary mindset: success or failure. But life is rarely that simple. Instead of framing goals as rigid outcomes, consider them as invitations to explore. For example, instead of “I’ll work out five times a week,” try “I’m curious about how movement can support my energy and well-being.” Rather than “I’ll stop procrastinating,” consider “I’m willing to notice what holds me back and take small steps toward action.” Curiosity opens the door to growth without the weight of judgment.

Intention is another key ingredient for easing into the new year. Intentions differ from resolutions in that they’re rooted in how we want to feel and show up in the world rather than specific achievements. An intention might sound like “I want to approach my days with more gratitude” or “I aim to cultivate patience in my relationships.” These guiding principles act as gentle anchors, reminding us of what truly matters when the pace of life picks up.

As we set intentions, we can also cultivate grace—the ability to meet ourselves where we are without harsh critique. Change is a process, not a destination, and grace allows us to honor the twists and turns along the way. When we inevitably stumble or fall back into old patterns, grace reminds us to begin again with loving kindness.

Entering the new year with this mindset invites us to move at a pace that feels natural and sustainable. Just as nature transitions through its seasons without rushing, we too can honor our rhythms and trust the timing of our lives. There is no need to have everything figured out on January 1st. What would it feel like to allow yourself to simply arrive, exactly as you are?

Yoga offers us tools to embody this approach. On the mat, we practice meeting ourselves with presence and awareness, noticing the breath and sensations without judgment. This same practice can extend off the mat as we move through the year. Each breath, each moment, each day is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and gently realign with our intentions.

So as the new year dawns, give yourself permission to let go of rigid expectations. Instead, step into this next chapter with curiosity, grace, and a willingness to explore. Trust that you are enough, just as you are, and that the path forward will unfold in its own time. In this space of openness and intention, you may find that the new year becomes less about fixing and more about flourishing.

Questions? Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.

Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist in training. She has additional training in trauma-sensitive yoga, therapeutic yoga, and functional movement. Amanda deeply believes that all beings possess an innate wisdom that blooms despite difficulty, trauma, illness or loss. She is dedicated to hosting a safe and inclusive space and inviting an embodied experience for students to honor their uniqueness and learn to listen to the wisdom of their bodies.

Sam Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.