Black Friday Yoga Session: Find Your Calm During the Chaos

Published on December 3, 2024 at 12:57 PM

While the world outside buzzed with Black Friday chaos, I had the privilege of guiding a special yoga session at Freefall workspace for movement & well-being. It was a space for grounding, breathing, and rediscovering a sense of inner calm amidst the noise. 
We focused on slowing down, calming the nervous system, practicing restorative poses, and embracing stillness. By the end of the session, many participants shared how they felt reborn, lighter, and deeply relaxed, carrying that sense of peace with them into the night. 
The session was also an invitation to practice Santosha, or contentment—the ability to find joy and acceptance in the present moment, no matter what’s unfolding around us. Yoga teaches us that even in the busiest, most chaotic times, we can cultivate inner peace and gratitude by simply turning inward.
Creating this shared sanctuary for my community is why I love this practice so much. Whether you’re new to yoga or a longtime practitioner, our space is open to everyone. Let’s continue to prioritize moments for ourselves, even when the world feels overwhelming. 

While the world buzzed with Black Friday sales and attractive, shiny deals, I invited my yoga community to hit pause. Instead of joining the chaos, we unrolled our mats for a session of calm, gratitude, and gentle balance. The goal? To rediscover Santosha, the joy of contentment, and remind ourselves that inner peace doesn't come with a price tag.

This session wasn’t about nailing tricky poses or sweating it out—it was a soft reset. It is a time to breathe, reflect, and embrace simplicity.

A Black Friday Reset

We began with intention-setting, reflecting on the question: “What can I let go of to make space for peace?” Together, we explored mindfulness, gratitude, and balance—qualities that often get lost in the craziness of the season.

The practice flowed gently, starting with grounding poses and stretches to awaken the body, release tension, find stability, and ease into the moment.

As we connected with our breath, we moved into strengthening sequences, reclaiming balance through deliberate, mindful movements to center the mind. This was followed by a balancing series that fostered focus and steadiness.

To wind down, we transitioned into restorative postures—soothing the spine, encouraging emotional release, and promoting circulation—releasing tension and calming the nervous system.

The session ended with a guided meditation and Savasana on Santosha (contentment): "I have everything I need." This affirmation helped us anchor in gratitude, allowing everyone to fully absorb the practice and leave with a sense of inner calm.

Why Santosha Matters

Santosha is a Sanskrit word meaning contentment or acceptance. It’s a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t found in material possessions, but in appreciating the present moment and embracing simplicity.

On a day like Black Friday, when the world says, “You need more,” Santosha gently reminds us, “You are enough.”

Practicing Santosha means:

  • Letting go of comparison and focusing on gratitude.

  • Finding peace in the here and now.

  • Celebrating the simple joys in life, no matter how small.

Reflections from the Mat

This session offered us a much-needed moment to step back from the noise and reconnect with what truly matters. It was a reminder that we have everything we need within ourselves.

How about you? What can you let go of to make space for peace in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you practice Santosha.

Remember: Contentment begins within.

Namaste!

This post had 17 views and  ❤️ at yoga.gent.

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.