Rest before the unrest
The pretty chapel at Forte de Sao Felipe in Setùbal
I love December, I love this festive season, gathering around a good meal and cozying up inside. It already started last week, with 2 lovely Friendsgiving - grateful for this continued tradition even away from the US - and now follows a series of celebrations, between my (big) birthday, my husband’s birthday, the holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist whose work I admire, once said, “Life really does begin at 40. Up until then you are just doing research.” He called this phase “individuation,” the journey toward becoming whole. Since discovering this quote two years ago, it’s become a quiet mantra for me.
Now, standing at this milestone, I feel I’ve done all the “research” I could: where to live, what to do, who to share life with, and how to become myself. I’ve been thinking about how the four seasons mirror our stages of life: youth-spring blooming, adulthood-summer burning bright, midlife-autumn looking inward, and later years-winter slowing down.
Autumn has always been my favorite… for its colors, its coziness, and even its gentle rain. And as I’m about to step into the autumnal phase of my existence, I wonder if midlife may become my favorite season too… In any case, I’m curious, excited and ready ! Wishing you all a bright, light and joyful holiday season !!
2 things I loved in November :
The body keeps the score, a book by Bessel Van der Kolk, a Dutch-American psychiatrist specialized in the treatment of PTSD. This is one of the most important books there is on the topic of mental health and trauma. It’s scientific but accessible, it’s full of real-life stories from his medical practice and research, and it presents a bunch of healing methods and modalities, among which, of course, Yoga ;)
This episode of podcast from Diary of a CEO (my first one, didn’t know it was so popular), where the host interviews the 4 most prominent specialists in women’s health. It’s a goldmine of information about hormones, exercise and nutrition, and how the approach needs to be different from men’s. Finally women’s health coming into the spotlight !
Classes & Celebration
I’m teaching for the first 3 weeks of December. Our theme this month in practice will be Savasana, or the best and most important pose of yoga, the final resting pose we do in every class. We will learn about its meaning and why we do it, and all month long, Savasana will last for 15 full minutes in every class; the best way to rest and reset during this busy season.
️ Tuesday 18h15 -> Yin-Yang Yoga (relaxing evening practice)
️ Wednesday 8h45 -> Slow Flow (more dynamic, strength & movement)
️ Wednesday 10h30 -> Baby & Me (pre and postnatal, with babies)
The next Baby & Me at Baraza in Santos will take place on Tuesday December 9 at 12pm,
More details coming soon but save your evening of Tuesday December 16th for a special year-end and winter solstice celebration. There may or may not be a sound journey and some deep breathing…
Holiday Break - between December 18th and January 5th.
2026 Spring retreats
If you’re already thinking about a sun-filled spring wellness escape, save the date(s) !
In English: at the incredible Monte das Casolas (Grandola, 1h30 from Lisbon) > May 28-31, 2026, very similar to this one. Early bird information coming soon, stay tuned !
In French (with Namastrip): du 8 au 12 avril, puis du 10 au 14 juin, à Villa Epicurea > plus d’infos ici (utilisez le code PAULINE30 pour une petite remise sur votre séjour).
And if you’re new here, welcome !
Here’s a copy of my Lisbon wellness guide. Let me know what you try - and what I forgot !
