Stepping Into Self: Self-Care, Community and Connection
A Saturday Morning for You
Stepping Into Self is my free community offering at Rabbit Islandโa chance to gather on a Saturday morning for embodied movement, breath, meditation and an optional dip in the ocean.
The idea is simple: to carve out a little time for yourself before the weekend fills with everything else. Work, parenting, relationships, washing, errandsโฆ there is always something needing our attention.
I love the idea of self-care Saturday mornings. Time to notice how youโre feeling, move your body, breathe and enjoy being outside. And to do that alongside others, with room for both connection and quiet.
With the financial pressures many people are carrying, I wanted this to be a free offering. You can come with a friend or arrive on your own. No experience neededโjust come as you are.
Rabbit Island: Our Happy Place
These school holidays, if I havenโt been at work, Vinnie and I have been at Rabbit Island. It truly is a happy place for us bothโtime outside, playing in the water and enjoying being together.
It feels lovely to share a place that means so much to me through Stepping Into Self. Mind you, I wonโt be running through the water pulling you all along on a boogie board like I do with Vinnieโฆ haha!
Being there reminds me how much joy and connection can come from the simple things. Ocean air, movement, a bit of play and time together. Those are some of the things I hope these Saturday mornings will offer.
Bali: A Week of Bliss
Baliโฆ oh, what an amazing time I had!
My first week was dedicated to self-care, cleverly disguised as market research for our Bali retreat. And I took that research very seriously.
The lovely woman at the spa told me she had never had someone come for a body scrub every day. Well, I think Iโd only had one in my entire life before that week, so I certainly made up for it!
There was morning meditation watching the sunrise, sun salutations in the beautiful yoga shala, swims in the pool, and time reading and journalling on my sunbed while watching and listening to the ocean.
Bliss? That is an understatement.
Having that space reminded me how nourishing it is to slow down. To have time without constantly thinking about the next thing or fitting my own needs into whatever space is left.
So, lock in 8โ13 July 2028 for Bali, because I would love to immerse you in some of that same goodness.
Learning and Connection with Sarah Ball
My second week was spent training with Sarah Ball. That woman never ceases to amaze me.
The training was beyond amazing and so thought-provoking. Sharing it with like-minded people added something really specialโthe connection was powerful.
That experience deserves a whole blog of its own, so Iโll share more soon. But I came home with plenty to reflect on, both personally and in the work I offer.
Coming Home and Recognising My Capacity
Upon returning, I made the difficult, yet right-for-me decision to postpone my Rest & Restore Day Retreat until next year. Iโm looking at February dates; I just need to work out what aligns.
At the moment, Iโm doing the delicate juggle of school holidays, parenting and workโand seriously, that is an art form in itself!
Part of my own self-care is recognising what I have capacity for and allowing plans to change. That isnโt always easy when I care so much about what I offer, but I want to bring that same care to myself too.
Making Space Together
Bali gave me a whole week to immerse myself in self-care. Back home, Iโm finding those moments amongst everyday lifeโwhether thatโs time at Rabbit Island with Vinnie or gathering with others on a Saturday morning.
That is the idea behind Stepping Into Self. An opportunity to reconnect with yourself, enjoy our beautiful surroundings and share some time in community.
Iโm looking forward to sharing these Saturday mornings with you at Rabbit Island.
Thank you for being part of this community. Together, we can navigate the stepping stones of life with compassion and curiosity.
With gratitude,
Hayley Guinness
Founder, Stepping Stones Yoga & Therapy
