Rest Is Not a Luxury: Yoga, Massage and Finding Support When You Need It

January flew by faster than I expected. Somewhere between grieving for my dear Nonna, exams, teaching, and daily life, my body reminded me that it was carrying more than I realised. But I hadn't been able to slow down, and it ended with a neck injury, with stress and fatigue contributing and adding tension to my whole upper body.

Stress has a way of settling into the body when we don't give ourselves enough space to release it. What this experience reminded me of is how important it is to find moments of pause, movement and care - not as a luxury but as a necessity. That is something I see and feel every week at Oca.

On this occasion, I reached out to the wonderful Eve, whose calm presence and skilled hands helped start to ease some of the tension. This reminded me how powerful it is to be supported, and how special it is to be part of a community where care extends beyond the mat. So shoutout to Eve: a wonderful soul, a brilliant yoga instructor and an amazing, skilled massage therapist.

This experience has reminded me that strength isn't about pushing through everything alone. Sometimes it's about asking for help, listening to the body and letting ourselves be held by the people around us. If you're feeling the weight of a busy start to the year, I warmly invite you to explore the many ways Oca supports rest and release - from soundbaths and Mindful Fridays to the yoga and pilates classes. These practices offer space to soften, breathe and reconnect.

With kindness,

Aurora