Woolfox, Rutland

This week we caught up with Claryn, who we have worked closely alongside at Woolfox since we opened our doors in January 2023.

Claryn hosts a variety of classes in our studio such as yin yoga, sound healing, yoga nidra and breathwork sessions. Our Members are drawn to Claryn’s safe and calming studio space, working on listening to their bodies, connecting with the breath, deep rest, and enhancing mobility.

As we lean into Spring, we wanted to learn more about Claryn outside of the studio and discover what she does to stay well during the winter months.

Q: Hi Claryn, I hope you are really well. I thought I’d start off with asking how winter makes you feel, and if the shifting of seasons provoke any changes within your mind or body?

Claryn: When the darkness starts to come early, that felt the hardest, provoking a sense of low spirit to begin with. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace winter as a season of deep rest, reflection, and replenishment. It invites me to turn inward, to slow down, and to honour the cycles of nature, just as we do in our own healing.

Q: Rituals. Do you follow any daily rituals to protect your immune system during the cold and flu season?

Claryn: My priority has been managing stress levels because of my autoimmune condition. This looks like eating well, going to bed at 10 p.m., starting my mornings slowly, one caffeinated coffee a day, movement, knowing when to stop working, not forcing or pushing myself when my energy is low, taking supplements including vitamin C, vitamin D, and magnesium, and most of all, listening to my body. I also incorporate warming herbal teas, breathwork for nervous system regulation, and moments of stillness to stay attuned to what I need each day.

Q: Diet. If at all, how do you adjust your nutrition or diet from season to season?

Claryn: I endeavour to eat what’s in season. I find myself eating less raw food in the colder seasons. I adjust according to what my body guides me. Warming foods like soups, stews, and roasted vegetables naturally feel more nourishing in winter, while I lean into lighter, cooling foods in summer. Honouring seasonal rhythms and my roots (I grew up in Indonesia), I like to incorporate warming spices like ginger and turmeric, cook nourishing curries, and enjoy comforting meals that connect me to my heritage.

Q: Travel. You often share your visits to Norfolk online, why is this a special place to you and how does it make you feel when you visit?

Claryn: It’s the nearest beach from here, that’s how it started. The sand dune is pretty special, and often I see where the sky meets the water…and that’s majestic. Being near water gives me a sense of coming home; it always feels like a call to go. It’s where I can exhale fully, reconnect with myself, and recharge. The vastness of the sea reminds me that everything is constantly moving, just as we are.

Q: Movement. Do you find your exercise patterns change within the winter months? What do you feel more drawn to and why?

Claryn: I have been swimming three times a week since March 2024, and that hasn’t changed. I may walk slightly less outdoors in the winter when it gets too cold and do more energetic movements indoors instead. I also find myself leaning into gentler, slower forms of movement, like yin yoga and breath-led practices, because they help me feel more grounded during the darker months.

Q: Balance. What would be your best advise on finding balance during the slow winter months?

Claryn: Winter is the perfect time to slow down and rest. Instead of resisting it, I see it as a sacred invitation to simplify, restore, and listen deeply to what you really need. How can we do less and listen more so that we can move with intention and purpose?

Q: Change. Have you made any changes this year that you feel are benefiting you and your overall health and wellbeing?

Claryn: Yes. There’s been inevitable change in my work situation. Instead of worrying about it, I saw it as a golden opportunity to fully show up in my own business. I set up a new routine which is working really well, and that includes having time to bake again. This shift has also allowed me to be more intentional with how I spend my energy, prioritising joy and alignment over obligation.

Discover more from Claryn via her website here