Letting go of the past and moving forward with New Year’s rituals
As we stand at the crossroads of another year, it’s the season for reflection and renewal. This is a perfect moment to practise the art of letting go of the past and moving forward with the power of New Year’s rituals. With a little recapitulation, we can let the old year gracefully recede into memory and usher in a fresh new chapter.
In spiritual terms, recapitulation involves reflecting on the past, with its literal definition being “an act of summarising and restating the main points.” This concept was introduced by author and anthropologist Carlos Castañeda, who wrote, “recapitulation, which consisted of a systematic scrutiny of one’s life, segment by segment, an examination made not in the light of criticism or finding flaw, but in the light of an effort to understand one’s life, and to change its course.”
Recapitulation and yogic philosophy
In yogic philosophy, this concept is known as Vichara, Sanskrit for ‘thought’ or ‘deliberation’. Vichara is a practice of deep contemplation, urging us to continuously self-reflect while focusing on understanding our ‘I’ thoughts.
Every day offers a chance for a new beginning and self-reflection, and embracing this daily is important. However, as the New Year approaches, the significance of actively practising recapitulation becomes especially clear. It’s a poignant time for welcoming change and redirection, creating opportunities for a fresh start.
To commence your journey into the New Year with purpose and positivity, consider integrating a variety of meaningful rituals into your routine. Seeking inspiration, reflection and renewal as we transition into 2024, the Yoga for Good Foundation is delighted to share some of our favourite rituals with you.
Document the events of the year gone by
Take a moment to list all the significant events of the year, including positive and negative experiences. Make sure you cover the highlights, challenges, accomplishments and even the disappointments. If it’s shaped you in any way, it belongs in your record.
This process will likely evoke strong emotions you will need to acknowledge and release. The act of putting pen to paper and summarising your year is a very powerful tool that will help you to celebrate the good times and let go and heal from the trying times, creating mental and emotional energy for the new adventures ahead.
De-clutter your home
Engage in the cathartic process of decluttering your physical space. This is particularly beneficial regarding items that you associate with the past. Decluttering is a tangible step in the process of letting go.
Beyond the physical aspect, entering the New Year with a clutter-free physical environment contributes to mental clarity. A tidy space facilitates a sense of order and organisation, freeing up mental space for new experiences, goals and adventures.
Set affirmative intentions
Shift away from the popular trend of setting New Year’s resolutions that often involve restrictions. Take a positive approach by setting intentions that focus on affirmations, such as “I will welcome abundance into my life” or “I will choose peace when faced with conflict.”
The key to positive goal-setting is maintaining a constructive mindset throughout the year. Choose intentions that resonate with your aspirations, creating a foundation for success in the days, months and years ahead.
Start the New Year with meditation
Deep meditation can be a powerful way to usher in the New Year, releasing the energy you’ve invested in the events of the past year and clearing the path for a meaningful transition to the future.
You can opt for a sunrise meditation session, or just roll out your mat in a serene place at home on New Year’s Eve, right before midnight. Either way, you can create a tranquil and intentional start to 2024, fostering a sense of calm and renewal.
Cleanse your space with dried sage
Both dried sage and palo santa have known properties that clear the air and energy in your home. This ritual creates a refreshed atmosphere and a space that is prepared to receive a brand new year with endless possibilities.
Cleansing with dried sage is a powerful ritual that is intentional and will release negative past experiences and traumas and welcome the present with a sense of deep clarity and positivity.
Connect with your true self through the transformative power of yoga
At Yoga for Good Foundation, we’re grateful for our inspiring community of dedicated yogis harnessing its transformative power for positive impact. We hope you’re able to let go of the past and start moving forward with some or all of these New Year’s rituals.
We look forward to more events and more grants in 2024, and continuing on our mission to spread the goodness of Yoga and give back to the community.
Connect with your true self on a regular basis by attending our free community classes.
For additional insights on rituals, as well as numerous other valuable lessons derived from yoga, explore our Yoga for Good Foundation articles.
Community yoga classes
We are passionate about sharing the joy of practising yoga and offering you an opportunity to connect with your true self on a regular basis.
View previous classes or book now for our next class.
Free
17th September 2024 - 12:00 to 1:00pm
Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class
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Join Sandra from Be You Yoga for this Spring Yoga Class, designed to de-stress and reset your digestion, metabolism, immunity, and overall health. Spring is the best therapeutic season for a natural and holistic cleanse.
We will begin by gently warming up your joints and proceed with a pranayama designed to calm your system. This will be followed by gentle movements that promote mobility and fluidity in your body, instilling a sense of nurturing and self-love throughout the practice. We will conclude with deep relaxation and a short meditation to integrate your practice on multiple levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
Sandra is a master of spirituality and blends the practices of yoga in an adventure of self-discovery. She has a series of books on Be You Yoga that deepen the understanding of yourself to cultivate a heightened sense of self-love, with easy-to-follow yoga guide with meditation exercises and inspired quotes.
Free
9th November 2024 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class
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Join Suze from 42 Yoga for a transformative yoga class focused on balancing the sacral chakra, the centre of creativity and passion. She believes yoga is the key to body, mind wellness and healing. After practicing for many years and teacher training in Bali and India, she is using these skills with children’s and trauma-informed yoga.
Her new book, a yoga-for-kids adventure called Ursula the Roly Poly Unicorn, helps children develop strong self-esteem, through story and yoga as a positive and empowering tool.
In this class with gentle flows, breathwork and mindful practices, we will cultivate energy, release blockages, and ignite the creative spirit, as well as explore the profound connection between body, mind, and creative expression.
Free
22nd January 2025 - 12:00 to 1:00pm
Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class
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Meeting ID: 859 1833 4994
Passcode: 171949
Join Reetu for an immersive meditation session into the depths of our energy centres. Nourish the systems of your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, ready for the year ahead. Be guided by her inspiring voice to relax into meditation and reconnect with and balance the subtle energies within.
Reetu Verma has 25 years of experience as an academic, teacher and coach, providing support, help and guidance to thousands of people from all walks of life from all over the globe.
During a traumatic near-death experience, she experienced pure light and pure love and embarked on a transformational, personal healing journey. Inspired and totally committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, helping them on their healing journey to live a healthier, happier life.
She founded Healing, Health and Happiness to expanded her teachings of personal development, into finding life purpose and spiritual growth. Reetu has developed a systematic, practical approach to bring more harmony and a sense of joy into life.
Free
22nd October 2024 - 12:00 to 1:00pm, Tuesday
Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class
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Join Amy for a trauma-informed gentle flow Community Class with a particular focus on noticing internal sensations and making choices.
Amy Brooks is a qualified social worker, mental health clinician and yoga facilitator certified in Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) based in the Shoalhaven, NSW. She has been practicing yoga for over a decade and passionately believes in its healing qualities for the mind and body, making it an effective adjunct therapy for mental health work. Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Om Sweet Om Milton in 2022.
She is offering yoga classes to the community, combining her professional training and lived experience as a source of strength to guide others on their own journey towards recovery.
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A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...
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Cancer Council Western AustraliaSending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.
Their grant is enabling me to offer FREE trauma informed therapeutic movement and relaxation to frontline mental health and social services staff in Bega.
Participants are really valuing the time out for themselves and experiencing integrated poly vagal theory. And I get to be in a teaching space, yay!
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…allows us to reach more underserved and vulnerable community groups who can benefit from a trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness practice at zero cost to the participants.
Some of the community groups we’ll be serving in the current months include 000 Foundation, Men’s Walk and Talk and WAGEC.
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