Deep Thoughts - 5 Minute Read

• Reflections on presence & the 2-Song Crush technique
• FREE 15-minute mobility routine
• Flash Sale!! 50% off all on-demand classes (retiring in January!)

As usual, I chuckled to myself when Costco started breaking out the holiday decorations before Halloween was even over.

The juxtaposition of giant skeletons with the first shimmer of Christmas tree lights and an impressively stocked aisle of Lego's and other timeless children's gifts perfectly encapsulated the urgency of consumer culture. We race from one Hallmark holiday to the next without pausing to savor the memories we've just created, or those we're about to make.

It's no secret that time accelerates as we age, but the solution to that sensation of "life flashing before our eyes" isn't to strive to keep pace. While reverse engineering and itemized lists might help us feel more in control of our holiday schedule, becoming more organized about chaos won't alleviate the nagging feeling that we're somehow missing the mark. In our rush to create memorable experiences, source the perfect gift for everyone on our list, and design a seasonally appropriate meal plan suitable for an ever-shifting landscape of dietary restrictions, we risk becoming so distracted that the actual moments pass us by.

Many of us conflate "Giving" with "Do-ing." But if we take this analogy a step further, then the act of Receiving becomes "Be-ing." Just as every production requires an audience, our efforts to create an experience or give a gift aren't fulfilled until someone is present to enjoy it. Like watching a Netflix series while scrolling on your phone, when we're not fully engaged with what's happening in the moment, we lose our connection to it – missing important details, overlooking emotional cues, and ultimately selling ourselves short on what we were seeking all along: genuine satisfaction.

This goes beyond gifts. How often have we looked back at a week and said "it's all just a blur"? Moving from commitment to commitment while mentally checking off our to-do list. These days, we ward off boredom and anxiety with our phones. Whether waiting in line, enjoying morning coffee, or even using the bathroom, we've replaced moments of stillness with distraction masquerading as productivity. Consequently, we've grown disconnected from our surroundings. I'm not here to lecture about screen time, but when you find yourself dissatisfied with your day, or feeling like nothing was accomplished despite hours of activity, it might be because you never fully allowed yourself to experience it.

My friend Nicki once shared a technique she and her friends developed at Burning Man to choose how they'd spend their nights. They called it the "Two Song Crush": when you arrive at a party, get onto the dance floor and fully commit to dancing to two songs. If you're loving it after two songs, stay longer. If not, move on. But you can only discover if that DJ set resonates with you by immersing yourself fully in it – not by standing on the sidelines , halfway participating . True experience requires engagement.

Not every activity in life is designed for our personal satisfaction. But unless we engage with life, we won't find any satisfaction at all. Appreciation stems from paying attention – not only to the things we rank as important but also to those naturally woven into our daily routines.

As Black Friday rolls into Cyber Monday, I invite you to pause for a moment and give your life the full attention it deserves.

Replay some highlights from last month, and take time to contemplate the people you love. Be present with your awareness and your memories. I promise you'll discover more meaningful gift ideas by daydreaming about your friends than by rushing through an aisle or scrolling through an online storefront, mechanically adding items to your cart. When you do stumble upon the perfect thing, or find yourself unexpectedly delighted by the events unfolding around you, you'll experience that deep sense of fulfillment we're all seeking.

This week's mini-routine is a 15-minute floor work sequence extracted from Amazing Space (the free Thanksgiving class). It's designed to loosen up stiff joints and lubricate motion throughout your body, incorporating breath work techniques to enhance your inner space.

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Hilariously Ironic Special Offer: I'm planning to retire most of my on-demand offerings in January, so here's your Cyber Monday sale. To make selection easier, I've curated a page of my favorite classes and workshops from the past 4 years. Enter the code HURRAH at checkout to enjoy a 50% discount through December 3rd.

And remember, the best gift of all is your presence.

With Warmth,

Domini Anne

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