Giving and Receiving: A Balancing Act
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about balance especially as we move towards the winter solstice, the natural rebalancing of darkness and light. The breath cycle also teaches us that giving and receiving rely on one another. There’s an exquisite equilibrium between the in-breath and the out-breath, and this feels especially relevant at this time of year.
From Profit to Purpose: a shift in perspective
Recently, I watched the Netflix documentary Buy Now! on the recommendation of a friend who described it as “shocking — everyone needs to watch this.” I completely agree that if everyone saw it, or if its key concepts were taught in schools and business settings, our collective world view could change for the greater good. Perhaps our conditioned beliefs about business, capitalism, profits, and core values would evolve. Perhaps the veils would be lifted, giving way for more mindful choices and communication – although BIG shifts at the top would be needed for that to ever manifest.
Sadly, I didn’t find the documentary particularly shocking. The main contributors, ex-employees of Amazon and Adidas, were highly informative and extremely interesting. They highlighted many of the pitfalls of capitalism and it’s profit-at-all-costs culture, with real-life examples. The speakers were self-reflective about the morals and ethics tied to their roles, and both have since moved on to new projects with the aim of “giving back” and living more in alignment with their core values and beliefs.
You could call this yoga in practice: a move away from separation and towards union. Veils had been lifted, a bigger picture observed. Their mindsets and inner world had changed, and as a result, so too did what they wished to bring into their outer world.
I could feel their raw emotions of guilt, regret, and deep remorse emanating through the screen. One spoke with a sincere quiver in their voice; the other shared they had been fired after 15 years of loyal service simply because they no longer ‘bought into’ the company ethics. Both inspiring examples of true, meaningful transformation and living one’s truth. This takes strength and courage and I salute them.
Walking the path of alignment in business
Watching the documentary led me to reflect on Harmonise, and how fortunate I am to run a small, local, community-based business centred around health and wellbeing. I also reflected on how environmentally friendly, and sustainable, mat-based Yoga and Pilates are, especially compared with movement practices reliant on heavy equipment/machines. More and more people are connecting with Harmonise because they feel drawn to changing career paths – not for status or income, but for a lifestyle that feels aligned with what they truly enjoy, and how they want to live.
When I was around 15, a cover teacher wrote in my end-of-year journal:
“Pursue those things in life that you enjoy and the money will come.”
I never forgot that message. It still makes me tingle as I write this. I am SO grateful to her, it has stuck with me throughout my entire life. Put JOY first.
We’ve just completed this year’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and we celebrated by dancing to Flashdance with a small tweak to the lyrics: “Take your passion, and make it happen. You will come alive as you dance and flow through life.”
It came back to me earlier as I read one of the course feedback comments that stood out:
“Clare has a phenomenal range of knowledge and extraordinary passion and enthusiasm for her subjects.”
Reading it made every hair on my body stand on end. And it’s true, I am passionate. However, it isn’t only the subject matter that I am enthusiastic about. I am equally passionate about the personal growth and transformations I witness on every course, whether Yoga or Pilates; about being able to support that journey; and about the difference our graduates go on to make in the community and beyond.
Making intentional decisions
Thanks to Yoga, Pilates, therapy, divorce, motherhood, a cancer journey, and the influence of so many wonderful beings in my life, my approach to business has changed profoundly over the years. I used to make decisions based on figures, turnover, and profit, and strive, as many of us are trained to do.
Now, when I need to make decisions, my questions look different:
- Is this helping me to learn and grow?
- Is this how I want to spend my time? Does it bring me joy, or lead me towards more joy and freedom in my life?
- Is this in alignment with my core values and beliefs?
- Which choice benefits the greatest number of people?
- Will this decision bring me closer to nature or further from it?
- Do I need to make a change to help me maintain, or come back into balance?
(This is key to be able to give and receive in equal measure, and something I need to keep a close eye on!) - Am I making time for my personal practice?
(If not, I know I need to make a change! Maintaining a personal practice is the foundation of what I share, when I teach, and keeps me on an authentic path.)
I can’t remember the last time I did a financial forecast or profit-and-loss of any description. My margins may be small, but I have enough. I feel abundant, and I trust the flow.
A Heartfelt Thank You
As countless e-mails have been bombarding our in-boxes with black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, I personally don’t feel called to participate as a business owner. It simply doesn’t feel it is in my alignment. On the flip side, I am feeling called to unconditionally GIVE NOW, so I’m following that calling.
When I shared the launch of our new Harmonise Pilates Teacher Training Manual, which took me two years to write (with NO AI involvement, I hasten to add!), several graduates reached out asking if they could access a copy. I initially thought I would sell it, however on reflection, I am feeling drawn to giving a copy to ALL Harmonise Pilates graduates.
I’ve also added 34 short videos of me teaching the original Pilates repertoire, filmed on the suggestion of a recent graduate. These are now all available in the Harmonise Pilates Teacher Training Online Portal. If you’re a graduate and don’t yet have access, please email me at clare@harmonisetrainingacademy.com and I’ll send the link.
I would very much like to take this opportunity to thank every single Harmonise student and graduate for finding Harmonise and being a part of this special community that I feel so blessed to be a part of. I also wish to acknowledge my deep respect and gratitude to everyone who supports me in being able to run and manage the business including Stacey, Louise, Dani, Jay, Bex, Siofra, Hannah and Revitalise.
As we approach the solstice and the festive season, I wish you warmth, rest, and as much balance as possible during what can be a demanding and stressful time of year. I know I’m being called to slow down in a big way.
Article by: Clare Francis
