Slow down to the Speed of Wisdom
Preston Smiles
We just need to blink our eyes to see that we’re living in a world addicted to speed, performance, and productivity. Burnout has become the norm — affecting us from a very young age. My beautiful dad often says, “Kids these days are busier than a CEO in my time,” and he’s not wrong.
We rush to get here, and we rush to get there. We stuff down our meals, or skip them altogether. We skim on precious sleep, we feel guilty if we dare to take a rest. We postpone our dreams and pleasures, and the very idea of "doing nothing" sparks a little anxiousness inside.
We've been taught to measure our worth by our achievements, our to-do lists, our constant motion.. If we just push a little harder, hustle a little longer, then we’ll be ok, then we'll be enough. But what if all this striving is actually making us feel less?
Less connected.
Less fulfilled.
Less… enough.
This endless pressure is disconnecting us from the very essence of life — and the essence of ourselves.
Time slips through our fingers not because we don’t have enough of it, but because of the profound lack of presence with which we're living our days. When we're frantically rushing through our unrealistic expectations, we're actually running away... from ourselves, from deep human connection, from listening to that quiet inner voice that holds our deepest wisdom.
How did we get here? Is a question that I hear so often from my students and clients. And, I would add... why are we passing this crazy pace to our children?
Winter's Gentle Whisper: A Call to Pause
We're now deeply immersed in the heart of Winter and I find it fascinating how nature is always our greatest teacher if we choose to pay attention.
The days are shorter, the air crisp, the trees have gracefully shed their leaves, drawing their energy deep within. Many animal species intuitively know to hibernate during these months, gathering new energy and strength for the vibrant Spring that follows.
Winter is the season of rest, reflection, and quiet rejuvenation. It's nature's profound invitation to slow down, to conserve our precious energy, and to look within. Just as the earth rests and gathers its strength, we too are invited to pause, reflect, and listen to the whispers of our soul.
My Wake Up Call
It was March 2017 when I received a very loud message from the Universe.
I was rushing — as usual — caught up in the chaos of the day, when I drove straight into my own garage. And this wasn’t just a little bump — it was a full write-off. My daughters were in the car with me, and in my hurry to quickly grab something from inside the house, I left the gear in Drive with the handbrake on. I thought I could fix it — I stepped halfway into the car and, with my left foot, tried to gently press the brake so I could shift it into Park. But instead, I accidentally hit the accelerator. The car suddenly shot forward, crashing into the garage door and slamming into the wall inside.
My heart stopped. Time suspended.
Thankfully — and I truly believe by some divine grace — both my daughters had their seatbelts on. (So many times, they would take them off as soon as we got home.) They were completely fine, apart from a few minor cuts on my foot. But that moment shook me deeply.
It was terrifying — not because of the car, but because of the realisation: I was rushing through my life. And putting what mattered most at risk.
That moment was a big wake-up call. A loud message from the Universe saying, “Stop Rushing, Mariana.” And right there, I made myself a promise to Slow Down my pace.
The Gift of Slowing Down
Slowing down doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing things with more presence.
It gifts us the space to smell the roses, to taste and savour our food, to genuinely honour a conversation – looking into someone's eyes and being fully present. It’s also how we start listening — to our own needs, to our emotions, to our inner voice that so often gets drowned out by the noise.
A great boss I once had, told us something that has stayed with me since: "Slow is Steady and Steady is Fast." He explained that when we rush, we mess things up. We react instead of respond. We get triggered more easily. We even forget to breathe.
We’re so busy trying to “do life” that we’re missing it altogether – we’re missing the beauty that’s all around us, the beauty within us, the deep connections that make life meaningful.
This July, I want to invite you to do things differently. To become softer. To walk slower.
This Winter, Heal and Reset with Dru Yoga
In our Dru Yoga classes this month, we'll dive into practices beautifully designed to nurture your body, mind and soul. With a gentle, healing approach, we’ll focus on movements and breathwork that help you slow down and reconnect from the inside out. You’ll experience the grounding and transformative power of:
Ujjayi Breath: Often called the “ocean breath,” this calming pranayama creates a soft sound in the throat, anchoring you in the present moment. Ujjayi helps regulate the nervous system, deepen your breath, and cultivate inner stillness — gently guiding you out of stress and into a space of quiet strength. It's a perfect companion for slowing down and turning inward.
EBRs (Energy Block Releases): These gentle, flowing movements help release stored tension from the spine, body, and energy field. With each sequence, you’ll feel lighter, more open, and deeply aligned — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Postures for Spinal Care: Our spine is our energetic backbone. This month we’ll focus on postures that support the spine’s natural curves, build flexibility, and create spaciousness — helping you feel more at ease in your body and more grounded in yourself.
EBR7 (Relaxation with Movement): One of Dru’s most healing and beloved sequences. This practice combines soft movement with deep rest, leading you into a profoundly restorative state that lingers for days. It’s a beautiful way to let your whole being reset and gently restored.
Inner Inventory: Slowing Down
Take a journal, a pen and your favourite herbal tea, chai latte or hot chocolate. Play some soft music and tune within to answer these soulful reflections:
- Where in my life am I moving too fast — physically, emotionally, or mentally?
- What am I avoiding by staying busy?
- How does my body feel when I give myself permission to pause?
- What moments in my day feel rushed? Could they become rituals instead?
- When was the last time I did something slowly, just for the joy of it?
- What would “slowing down” look like in my relationships, my routines, or my inner dialogue?
- Is there a part of me that fears stillness? What might that part need?
- What wisdom might arise if I gave myself more space between doing and silence?
Let's Slow Down Together...
If this idea of Slowing Down resonates with your heart, I would be delighted for you to join me and our vibrant community for some transformative experiences this July:
Join our weekly Dru Yoga classes to embody the intention of Slowing Down in a beautiful, supportive community. Choose from 5 classes, available both in person and online.
Metamorphosis Free Online Event: Mark your calendars for July 22nd! This special event is all about emerging from loss and change with renewed clarity and wisdom. We'll gather in community to learn the 3 essential steps that will help us move through grief and allow it to become a powerful initiation for a brand new chapter in our lives.
Spring Retreat: Get ready for an incredible, immersive experience! Registrations for our much-anticipated Spring Retreat are opening soon on July 15th! Join the Waitlist to be among the very first to know (it books out pretty fast!).
Let’s consciously Slow Down our pace this July and open ourselves to witness the everyday magic of life unfold right before our very eyes. You might like it as your new way of being.
Namaste