The Present of Presence: Four ways I'm gifting this Christmas

The Present of Presence: Four ways I’m gifting this Christmas. 

Dear Yoga Friends, 

This is my Christmas letter to you. I touch on concepts you all know well from our classes, tell you a little bit about what’s coming up, and share my musings, hopes and dreams with you.

“The quality of our presence may speak more than anything else.”

We often practice silence together on our retreats and immersions and when I read this quote it can be quite meaningful for people. We consider how often we all speak, for whatever reason, and how interesting it is to be in silence together to explore that pattern. Another common theme in retreats is a snippet of yoga philosophy around the concept of Vivika or keen discernment, otherwise known as choosing wisely. 

We can all get caught up in the whirlwind that is preparing for Christmas. It’s so compelling, it’s fun, we can express our love to loved ones, we can get caught up in worrying if we have done enough, given enough, bought enough. When really, the most important thing of is the quality of our presence, not the quality of our presents! 

Your loved ones want you as your most relaxed, happy self. You want you to show up as your relaxed, happy, self… just as you should be. You, above all, deserve peace, contentment and a happy Christmas full of love and joy. What could you do to approach the weeks ahead to feel calm, rested and happy? 

The present of nature. 

The power of nature to heal us, to soothe us, to invigorate us; I am eternally grateful for our beautiful part of the world. In getting intentional for where effort, energy, time and money go for me this year I have chosen to contribute to two local charities, one for nature and one for the community. Save the Hellfire is a community organization committed to preserving the nature of the Hellfire amid a proposed construction project that has been approved, but is temporarily stalled. Beautiful calendars featuring photographs from local photographers that love the area are on sale for €10 directly from me at yoga classes or online at www.savethehellfire.com plus postage. In January we will organize a mindful Hellfire Hike for the community so please stay tuned for that. 

The present of community. 

In our evening venue we share our space with team at Ballycullen Food Bank who do an incredible job of distributing food and items to those who need them in the area. They are a donation-based, volunteer organization at the grass roots of our wonderful community here. Here we are, in leafy south Dublin, one of the safest places to be in the world, and there are people in need right on our doorsteps. This year on behalf of Sylvia’s Yoga I will be making a donation to Donovan’s Butcher’s in Firhouse who will in turn supply fresh meat to the Ballycullen Food Bank. This contribution is a gesture from all of us and I thank you all for your ongoing support of my business. 

The present of loved ones. 

“When I am in the place in me where I am truly me, and you are in the place in you where you are truly you, there is one of us.”

This Christmas I am fortunate to have loved ones present in a safe, loving, secure home. It has not always been this way, so I am doubly-grateful and counting my blessings daily as I prepare, probably over-prepare, see paragraph four!

December is full of community classes, and events in my favourite mountain venue, cups of tea with friends and yogis, fun plans with loved ones, the odd night out or two that might end up with a bit of dancing. You can keep your Chanel bag wrapped up in a bow under the tree, thank you, I have more-than everything I could possibly need. My wish for you this Christmas is many moments of connection with other humans full of love and joy. 

The present of you. 

You, above all, deserve your love and attention. Where could you find space and time for constructive rest, meaningful rest, rest that sparks joy? Sometimes that rest in simply a nap, or an afternoon on the couch. Sometimes it’s a trip out to a treatment or yoga or fun with friends. It could be your book, your bath, your bestie. The qualities you look for is number one restful (a break from endless doing), number two helpful. A glass of wine might be restful, the whole bottle might not be helpful; the after-effects of one single glass might not be helpful. How can you be your own best friend this Christmas? How can you make wise decisions as a Christmas present to you, from you with love. 

Yoga classes will continue into the community, morning and evening, all the way up until Thursday 12th December. We have three final events in Mutton Lane Studio, two have spaces left. All of these events are on my website. Please just come along to classes, Mutton Lane events need to be booked in advance on Eventbrite. Gift vouchers and calendars will be available in classes. Vouchers can be made up for any value you wish, I can also email a gift voucher to you or directly to a loved one. Events for Spring 2025 are live on the website and Eventbrite, these were really popular gifts last year. Newcomers to yoga are always welcome at all Mutton Lane events. 

I have loads of exciting plans underway in 2025. A retreat in Ireland, a retreat in Sicily is in the pipelines (ssshh, tell only your best friends ;-)) a book launch with my colleague and dear friend Dr. Eva Orsmond, author of three bestsellers and publishing her best book yet. Eva and I intend continuing our conversations on the airwaves so stay tuned for all of that. My own book is starting next year and I’ll be leaning into all of my experiences with all of you as our collecting learning journey unfolds. I am so grateful to all of you who share your beautiful presence with me, your collective calm, loving joy is what we share together. 

I am here for any questions at all. Sending you love and joy and connection for the festive season ahead, and so much gratitude. 

Biggest love and hugs, 

Sylvia.