Slowing Down: Reno Muenz & SJ Gooding

Guest Post by Jess Robson

In a season of sharing love, remembering The seasonal hub-bub can draw our attention away from our day to day. While there’s so much love to go around and, especially over the holiday season, a desire to share love at every opportunity, remembering what keeps you full is the recipe for success for some. Meet Reno Muenz, SJ Gooding and their wee little lass, Marley – a family that keeps it real by keeping it slow.

Both Reno and SJ are yoga teachers, so their ‘jobs’ are to guide others in their daily practice of slowing down. However, don’t let their peace-inducing work diminish the bigness of their lives: raising a one and a half year old, managing two budding yoga careers and balancing giving each of their three family members what they all need to stay grounded and themselves. Here at the peak of the festive season, add in family members coming to hang out and see Marley AND prepping and packing for a trip this week and you’ve got one jam packed agenda. It’s with looking at the holiday season through a lens of love that they keep their heads on straight and stay in the practices and routines that give them the focus and sense of centeredness needed to give the best of themselves all season long.

The key to their ‘happy’? Time.

For SJ, it’s time on her own: a walk outside, going to a friends’ yoga class or simply reflective time spent alone. For Reno, it’s his commitment to his yoga practice. Reno is committed to a daily 90-minute pranayama (breath) and meditation practice. While it’s a mandate for an advanced training program he is participating in, he’s hyper aware of the impact it has on his ability find his focus day to day. The requirement for his training has now become a requirement for his life. As a family, dedicated daily time with Marley is a must. The three of them set aside time every day to simply be together; to listen to music, play outside, or sit and talk. Plain and simple, they’re in the practice of giving one another time to take care of themselves – which, with a little one zipping about, is a testament to their commitment to cultivating a happy and love filled holiday season.

Taking ‘slow’ one step further and creating moments of ‘stop’ to recalibrate doesn’t have to involve hours of meditation or always getting to a yoga class. Reno’s slow it down seasonal offering (with a festive flare) is simple: 10 and 10.

• 10 minutes of Calming Breathing: first thing in the morning, sit comfortably (in a chair, on the floor, etc) and breathe naturally. Set a timer, and just breathe.
• 10 minutes of focus: don’t meditate? No worries. Light a candle and sit and watch the flame for ten minutes. Focusing your attention to one point and being quiet and still is an incredibly grounding process. Plus, as Reno points out, candles are festive, right?

Give these slow-it-down steps a try! And, if you’re keen to take another step towards slow, join Reno and SJ on their yoga retreat in Thailand this February – check out more on their website here. Three weeks of great food, amazing people and inspired yoga – it’s not to be missed!

What is your favourite day of the holidays/festive season?

Our favourite day is probably Christmas eve. It always feels magical. All the busy-ness of getting ready for the holidays comes to a halt and we can finally relax and enjoy! We are creating some new traditions with Marley, including vegan baking for Santa. Our extended family is out of province, so generally on Christmas eve we have a big holiday party for friends to drop in when they can. Most people have family obligations that evening and come after so it’s usually a pretty late night – but great to catch up with memories and laughter.

What are some holiday traditions you love?

We enjoy morning mimosas with Christmas breakfast and relaxing after exchanging gifts.

What is something ‘slow’ that you value the most?

Putting on a vinyl and lighting a few candles while we reflect on all our present blessings and exchange our intentions for the coming year