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Writer's pictureNicole Allen

Finding balance and connection: Janette’s journey

Updated: 7 days ago

When life knocks you off balance, finding a way to regain your footing can feel daunting. For my client, Janette, that journey began unexpectedly but led to a transformation that brought her closer to herself and a community she didn’t know she needed.


A woman dancing with her arms in the air wearing headphones
Meet Janette!

Janette's journey with Breathe With Ease began when she found one of my leaflets for stand-up paddleboarding at Cadence’s Beachy Head Clubhouse. She stuck it to her fridge for months, quietly waiting for the right moment to join us. That moment came when she joined me at the Cuckmere meanders for her first session after her partner unexpectedly left, sparking a need to step outside her comfort zone, meet new people and shake up her routine. After having such a positive experience, Janette attended other events, saying:


“I was quite nervous going into the Hunter’s Full Moon Circle, I’d never been to anything like that before. But you gave such good energy that I wanted to give it a go.”


Different phases of the moon shown against a black background

Held during the October full moon, the Hunter’s Moon Ceremony is a ritual traditionally linked to hunting and preparation for winter. But at Breathe With Ease, it’s a women-only gathering where we take time to meditate, journal and set intentions for the next lunar phase, followed by a freeing ecstatic dance to welcome new beginnings. Janette reflected: 


“I remember walking home and feeling such elation. I realised that my partner leaving was actually a gift because if I hadn’t been on my own, I wouldn’t have put myself out there and had this treasured experience.”

This newfound confidence led Janette to push herself even further out of her comfort zone and venture overseas to one of my women-only yoga retreats. Although Janette admits she wasn't someone who would typically surround herself with groups of women, she decided to join me and several other lovely ladies in the Andalusian mountains in June 2024.


I host European retreats around twice a year. They offer peaceful settings with idyllic accommodations, a private chef, daily yoga sessions, excursions and plenty of time for self-reflection and meaningful connection.


She recalls how she felt on that very first day:


“I was just so impressed with the fact that you’d brought this group of women together, all strangers, yet by that first evening we just connected. I instantly felt that it was a safe space.”


A path leading into trees and mountain area with hikers

Creating that sense of safety and freedom is at the heart of Breathe With Ease, not just at retreats, but in every space I offer. Janette captured it perfectly, even mentioning my weekly classes (new member discounts available!): 


“Whether it’s the retreat, ceremonies or Monday classes, you always create a space where I can just be without judgement, like a cocoon.”

And age is never a barrier. It serves as a bridge, connecting stories and experiences across generations. Each woman brings her own life journey, offering insights that enrich everyone in the group. As Janette reflected: 


“I think we forget how much we can learn from each other no matter our age. Sharing your experiences can be a gift and it might even change someone else's life.”


A woman being held up by other women

In the weeks leading up to a retreat, I set up a WhatsApp group for all attendees, creating a space for everyone to introduce themselves, share their excitement and start bonding. I asked Janette what she thought:


“It builds a connection before you've even started. I ended up on the same train as a couple of ladies and we had breakfast together at the airport. It was like the retreat had started before we even arrived!” 

Having this network in place creates a shared sense of purpose, community and support that continues long after the retreat ends. Janette agreed:


“There are things I’ve done since the retreat that I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t shared them out loud. Reducing my hours at work, for example. I made that commitment there and the support from the group helped me follow through.”


A group of women smiling on a deck in front of a mountain range

While the retreat itself is a transformative experience, its impact extends far beyond those few days in the sunshine. The women often return home inspired to make lasting changes in their daily lives. But these changes aren't always grand gestures or major life overhauls, they’re often small, meaningful adjustments that add up to significant personal growth over time. Janette reflects on her own transformation: 


“The main thing I've taken away from the retreat is a lifestyle change, like daily gratitude journaling, connecting with other women and trying new things like your Silent Disco Yoga events on the beach!”


A silhouette of people with their arms raised at sunset on a beach

The Silent Disco Yoga at Breathe With Ease is a highly popular class that I run throughout the year. In summer, we head to the beaches in Seaford and Brighton to catch the sunset and immerse in a blend of vinyasa yoga flow, ecstatic dance and breathwork to upbeat tunes including afro beats and Ibiza classics. Janette said: 


“I can’t even begin to tell you how happy the Silent Discos make me! You're in your own world with those headphones on and it's like having that cocoon again, but in the company of other people as well. From a physical perspective, it brings an extra challenge too.”


A group of women stand by a pool with headphones on dancing

Janette's journey illustrates the importance of balance in our busy lives. 


I once led a hectic, unbalanced life, juggling work and responsibilities without taking time for myself. However, when I began my yoga journey and started carving out space in my days, I discovered the true importance of balance. There’s a reason Breathe With Ease’s tagline is “Balancing busy lifestyles!” Janette reflects:


“Reading was a huge part of my life, but that disappeared when I had my son because there simply wasn’t time.”


A woman stands on some outdoor decking leading a silent disco yoga class

During the retreats, I focus on understanding each attendee’s needs to create a blend of yoga, meditation and manifestation alongside physical activities like hiking, paddleboarding and excursions, all while allowing time for participants to simply relax. Janette admits:


“I find it very difficult to sit still. I don’t want to call it forced relaxation, but you did a wonderful job creating the space and giving us permission to just sit and do nothing.” 

This experience helped Janette bring balance back into her life after the retreat too. 


“Before the retreat, my weekends were always planned out. Now, if I want to spend two hours sitting on the beach journaling or just reading at home, I feel like I have permission to do that instead of doing chores like vacuuming!”

By embracing this balance, Janette is now living a life that aligns with her values and prioritises her wellbeing.



Two women paddleboarding

Janette’s journey with Breathe With Ease shows how important balance and community can be. 

By taking time for self-care and enjoying the supportive atmosphere we create, she has improved her own life and inspired those around her. As Janette puts it:


“The energy I get from you and Breathe With Ease not only helps me, but it goes out to other people.” 

That’s because when we prioritise our wellbeing, we create a positive impact that extends to our families, friends, colleagues and community. Isn’t that beautiful?



Nicole


 

If you’d like to share your journey with Breathe With Ease like Janette, I’d love to hear from you! Just get in touch to let me know at hello@breathewitheaseyoga.co.uk and I’ll be in touch with the next steps.

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