December LOVE Letter

Seasons Greetings LOVE Community,

We put our Christmas tree up early this year—before Thanksgiving—which, honestly, felt a little rebellious and a little necessary. One random afternoon after school, we piled into the truck, the kids half-bouncing out of their seats, and drove down the road to find “the one.” There’s something about that first tree hunt that feels like crossing a threshold. As soon as we hauled it inside, I knew what was coming next: Christmas movies on too loud, the same playlist on repeat, the chaos of decorating, the nostalgia of being eight years old again and believing the whole world was magic.

But here’s the thing I forget every year: the glittery, twinkly version of December isn’t the wholestory. It never is. Sure, the lights and rituals are beautiful, but they don’t cancel out the very realunder current that so many of us carry this time of year—grief, overwhelm, loneliness, the quiet ache of unmet expectations. It all finds its way to the surface, in one way or another, whether we want it to or not.

And yoga—oh, yoga—mirrors this so perfectly.

If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that yoga is not a love-and-light escape hatch. It’s a full-contact relationship with yourself. It’s the courage to turn toward your mind instead of away from it, to meet the parts of yourself you’d rather bury under garland, peppermint bark, and wine. Yoga teaches us that wholeness isn’t the pretty pieces arranged on the mantel. Wholeness is the attic, the basement, the tangled boxes you swore you’d deal with later.

It turns out you can’t love yourself if you’re only willing to love the “holiday card” version of you. I’ve tried. This year forced me to see parts of myself I didn’t even know were still hiding—self-doubt that took my breath away, fear that felt bigger than I could hold, jealousy I didn’t want to admit and couldn't even believe, anxiety that would not be ignored. It felt humbling, raw, and honestly…embarrassing at times. But it was real. And that realness has become the starting point of healing.

And healing—let’s be very clear—is not a neatly wrapped little box with a satin bow. Healing is not rolling out your mat, landing your perfect spot in class, and having your day obediently fall into line. It’s not bypassing pain with positive vibes. It’s not ignoring your shadow and pretending you’re “fine.”

Healing is messy. Inconvenient. Wildly un-glittery.

And the kicker?

It doesn’t end.

Not in a “punishment from the universe” way, but in a “you’re a living, breathing human being” way.

Healing circles back on itself. It loops. It returns you to the tender places, the confused places, the parts that still feel a little unlovable. And every time you return, you learn a little more about how to be with yourself—really be with yourself. Not just tolerate yourself. Not perform wellness. But sit down with the shadowy bits and say, “Okay. You’re here. Let’s talk.”

Because yoga, at its core, invites us home.

Not to the curated version of home we show others, but the real home—the one with mismatched mugs, unfinished corners, and a few lights that flicker. Yoga asks us to make room

for all of it. All of us.

So this month, the invitation is simple and impossible at the same time:

Let’s get real.

Let’s be honest.

Let’s value the parts of ourselves we’d normally hide behind the tinsel.

Let’s build a community rooted not in perfection, but in courage, presence, and deep, unshakeable compassion.

Because here’s the truth and what matters most:

You are loved.

You matter.

You are valuable.

You are human and whole, even when you feel anything but.

As we close the year, I hope you give yourself enough quiet to feel what needs to be felt, enough courage to release what wants to go, and enough tenderness to imagine who you’re becoming.

Your wholeness—all of it—is a gift.

Thank you. I love you.

Holly

PS:

I have some big news to share with you about the management for our studios.

We’ve officially welcomed Margaret Clancy into a managing role at the studios, right alongside Amanda. If you email the studio, you’ll probably notice a new voice in your inbox—yep, that’s Margaret. You’ll also be seeing her around a lot more, supporting teachers, tending to details, and bringing her steady, grounded presence into the day-to-day rhythm of our spaces.

And Amanda—our queen of Doing All the Things—will be shifting into a more focused role with events, social media, and the creative heartbeat of the studio. She has carried so much this past year (truly… so much), especially with three studios, and she’s done it with grace, humor,

and grit.

So here’s what I’m asking:

When you see Margaret, give her the warmest welcome. And when you see Amanda, give her the biggest, sincerest shout-out for everything she has done to keep this whole ship sailing.

These women are incredible. We are so lucky to have them. And I can already feel how supported our community will be with both of them in these roles.

In Gratitude and Yoga,

Holly

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