When Women Gather (1.6.26)
On New Year’s Eve, I led a chakra balancing flow class at Arise Yoga in Oakland and oh my goodness, it was gorgeous.
A few of the moments stand out to me from the class that I want to share with you. Picture this with me.
45 women journaling and you can hear a pin drop. Nothing but the sound of breath and pen scratching paper. The collective quiet as everyone contemplated gratitude for the past year, and what they are releasing to make space for the new.
A similar moment at the end of class as we invited in energy for 2026 intentions. The satisfied, integrated feeling of writing intentions with clarity post -savasana.
In direct compliment with those moments, imagine the buzz beforehand. Women came to class solo, with the best friend, with a family member. There were hugs, hellos, introductions. It was a packed class, so they moved mats, snuggled closer to people that they maybe didn’t know, welcomed one another, pulled Oracle cards, shared laughter. It was the sound of women taking time for themselves. Pure magic.
The last one I’ll share was during the section of class related to the solar plexus. This is our core. Where our confidence resides, our power center, it’s the part where the shadow of shame lives. We can acknowledge that shadow of shame, and move through it by confidently by offering the version that works best for us. So here we are, doing core strengthening, and I look around the room and see like 10 different versions of side plank. Everyone knowing what’s best for their bodies in this moment and offering it to themselves.
This simple practice of knowing ourselves well and loving ourselves enough to offer empowered choices…that’s what it’s just all about.
What would shift if we all did that more often?
Just paused and asked ourselves “what do I need in this moment?” and then took aligned action to offer and receive it.
The power comes when we release any embarrassment, quiet in the inner critic that loves to name what it “could or should” look like, and make aligned choices.
We can balance this chakra, this energy center with affirmations like:
I can. I will. I am strong. I am resilient. I lead and live with confidence.
When women gather, something special happens.
We go DEEP. Like, immediately.
There is an awareness of the preciousness of time, and it’s like this collective agreement to just go there, while we have the moment.
I’m here, I want to make the most of this moment.
I see it in my coaching sessions. I see in the Intentional Leadership Community I lead. I feel it when I have those precious moments on the phone with a bestie while we're both on our way to pick up. I see it when I’ve led and attended retreats.
It’s part of the energy I want more of this year.
DEPTH.
Of connection, of practice, of healing, of authenticity, of love.
I felt like this yoga class - brimming with love and self care and collective compassion and a desire to learn and grow - was a preview of this upcoming year. Of 2026 in general.
In this spirit, I want to invite you to a few different ways to gather in the coming months.
Reflection Questions
1. What do you need in this moment?
2. What is an empowered choice you could offer yourself today?
3. What is the energy you are desiring in 2026?
Lots of love,
Jess
If your soul is calling for depth and a weekend with women who lead, join the waitlist for the Connected Leadership Retreat. It's a chakra-inspired weekend of transformational yoga, leadership workshops, and time in nature.
