Mercury Retrograde Reflections & Lion's Gate Energy

Hey beautiful people,

What a wild ride this Mercury retrograde has been! If you've been feeling like the universe threw you into a cosmic blender these past few weeks, you're definitely not alone. I've been doing some deep reflecting on this journey, and I wanted to share what's been coming up for me.

The Honest Truth About Burnout

This retrograde period has been like a mirror, reflecting back all the ways I've been pouring from an empty cup. You know that saying – you can't pour from an empty cup? Well, I've been running on empty for way too long, taking on more than my energy could sustain.

The beautiful chaos of Mercury retrograde forced me to slow down and really look at how I've been showing up – not just for you all, but for myself. I realized I've been saying yes to everything, stretching myself thin, and honestly? It wasn't serving anyone, especially not the incredible community we've built together. Sometimes the universe has to shake us up to wake us up, and this retrograde has been exactly that wake-up call I needed. We still have a few more days of this retrograde so be gentle with yourselves!

Lion's Gate Portal 8/8 ✨

Tomorrow marks the powerful Lion's Gate Portal on 8/8 – a cosmic gateway that opens when the sun in Leo aligns with Sirius, the brightest star in our sky. This is one of the most potent manifestation times of the year, and I can already feel the energy building.

My Lion's Gate Ritual:

• Starting at sunrise, I'll be doing this meditation and journaling session with Pass Around the Smile.

• Writing down what I'm calling in for the next cycle (hint: more balance and boundaries!)

• Creating a crystal grid with citrine, pyrite, and clear quartz to amplify abundance and clarity

• Burning sage and palo santo to clear the energetic residue of what I'm releasing

The Lion's Gate asks us to step into our power with courage and authenticity. For me, that means honoring my limits as much as my dreams.

Full Moon in Aquarius 8/9 🌕

And then – plot twist! – we have a Full Moon in Aquarius on Friday 8/9. This moon is all about community, innovation, and breaking free from patterns that keep us stuck. Perfect timing for releasing the people-pleasing patterns that led to my burnout in the first place.

My Full Moon Ritual:

• Aquarius Full Moon Meditation

• Journaling on what collective healing means to me and how I can serve from a full cup

• Creating moon water with amethyst and selenite for emotional clarity

• Gratitude practice for all the growth we're experiencing together

Moving Forward with Intention

Going forward, I'm committed to showing up more authentically – which means sometimes that looks like saying no, taking breaks, and trusting that the right opportunities will still be there when I'm resourced enough to meet them fully.

This Weekend's Offerings

If you're looking to move some of this intense energy through your body, here's where you can find me:

Saturday:

• Bodyrok Santa Monica: 8:00am & 9:00am classes

Sunday:

• 12:00pm: Gentle Flow & Sound Bath at Pilates Cave

• 2:00pm: Bodyrok Vuori class (includes a free set!)

• 3:30pm: Bodyrok class

Monday:

• 5:30pm: HELD Active Breathwork Session (specifically for therapists, healers, and healthcare professionals)

The Monday breathwork session feels especially aligned right now – a space for those of us who hold space for others to come and be held ourselves. We pour so much into our work; this is your invitation to receive.

With Love

Here's to pouring from full cups, honoring our human limits, and stepping into our power with both fierce love and gentle boundaries.

See you on the mat (or cushion) soon! 🦁✨

With so much love,

Claire

P.S. How are you feeling this Mercury retrograde and Lion's Gate energy? I'd love to hear what's coming up for you – DM me and let me know! 💌