Maybe it’s because I grew up in northern Wisconsin, where snow would linger in the ditches well into May, but winter doesn’t bother me. The shorter days and chilly weather are my built-in excuse for being cozy, quiet and reflective under a pile of blankets with my furry mastiff.
Winter isn’t for everyone. I get it. The lack of sunshine can take its toll. But there is a special magic to the winter season if you allow yourself to embrace it. Everything in nature uses winter to regenerate, and so can we!
Think of the perennials in your yard. Right now they’re tucked into their cozy flower beds under a blanket of soil, soaking up nutrients, conserving energy and preparing to unfurl once the days get brighter and warmer. Imagine you’re a daffodil!
My favorite part of this season isn’t just my embarrassingly early bedtime, it’s about the time I carve for reflection. This time of year means taking time to review my year and decide what I want to let go of and what I wish to carry forward.
In his book, “Atomic Habits,” James Clear shares that the process of review and reflection are critical to long-term improvement and sustainable change. So often, we zip from one thing to the next, crossing off our lists, not taking time to celebrate wins and or investigate mis-steps. The winter months give us the perfect opportunity to engage in this critical step.
The dark, cold months allow us to be still and get curious about what lights us up or drags us down. They give us time to peer down our dark hallways and learn who we are and who we desire to be.
If I’m a daffodil, the process of reflection is my version of soaking up nutrients. It’s about gathering and processing information that allows me to learn, grow and unfurl in the most beautiful way as the days get brighter.
2025 Power Life, All Rights Reserved.
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2025 Power Life, All Rights Reserved.
Built with 🤍 by Blink Wellness
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Kirk was working 80-hour weeks and wearing his shoulders as earrings when he found yoga in 2005. Forever the competitive athlete, he loved the physicality of yoga. When the spiritual and philosophical side of yoga were exposed to him, Kirk was hooked. Yoga provided him with what other activities couldn’t -- the ability to foster the benefits of practice both on and off of the mat. Yoga was something that Kirk could bring into all aspects of his life.
Kirk knows that yoga can be intimidating, so he crafts a class that is playful and inviting, while still being challenging and safe. His creatively planned classes build strength and flexibility in your body and mind while establishing clarity, giving you more confidence to overcome obstacles in your life, and keeping you injury-free. His classes are themed with a message that is relatable and will inspire you to take it with you off your mat. Kirk has been teaching yoga since 2008 and lead his first teacher training in 2012. Where Kirk truly shines is in coaching, developing and bringing out the best in others.
Kirk enjoys traveling (40+ countries to date!), snowboarding, and cherishes time with his wife and two daughters.
Christen Bakken’s yoga journey began in 1998 in a Bikram studio that provided a safe and secure place to practice. She saw the yoga mat as a place to remember her purpose and a place to play. As she continued her studies and began her journey to teaching in 2006, Christen infused yoga classes with devotion and the yoga mat became a place of personal transformation and healing. Her classes are filled with laughter, song, sweat, and usually heart openers. In 2013, Christen began training yoga teachers. This is the place where she finds the most joy - in community with folks looking to grow and be of greater service in their homes, on their mats, and in the world. Over the years, she has led trainings in Denver, the Midwest, Florida, and now abroad. She has trained in continuing education modules, 200-hour, 300-hour, and 500-hour programs. Beyond the mat, Christen is a passionate adventure seeker - she loves to bike, snowboard, and spend time with her husband and pups. She sees each day as a blessing and hopes to remind all who interact with her of this truth.