One Small Change to Strengthen Your Day.

The Dordogne river has been my family’s exquisite host this week, with her pièce de résistance being a twenty-seven kilometre kayaking adventure that took the three of us five and a half hours in thirty-five degree heat.

We embraced everything on offer with the steady guidance of Dom, my husband, an ex-kayaking instructor in his element, reassuring Nell and I that the rapids were possible without capsizing as long as we kept paddling! 😬

I quickly called on my yoga practice to muster the courage and belief that he was right, especially as we paddled towards the inevitable first round of rapids.

I found myself instinctively pressing my feet down into the kayak, grounding just as I do when I step onto my yoga mat, connecting to the earth and lengthening tall through my spine. And it worked. That simple act of rooting into this giant piece of floating yellow plastic made the whole experience more enjoyable, more possible. I felt ready and capable each time the rushing water appeared.

A strong metaphor for life. How often do we drift through our days only to find ourselves suddenly flung into choppy waters?

Those moments are inevitable. A life without struggle is as rare as a river without rapids.

So next time you’re physically or mentally challenged, try this: whether you’re standing or sitting, bring your focus to your feet. Send your energy down into your soles, really feeling the connection to the ground beneath you. Imagine roots slowly growing from your feet deep into the earth, anchoring you. Your spine naturally lengthening upwards. Feel yourself held, steady, strong. Take up space. Stand your ground.

This small shift can make all the difference in how you face what’s in front of you.

Wishing you a grounded and steady week ahead.

Thank you for being here. Sending love and kindness,

Laura x