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Slow Waters: with Madeleine
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At-home Forest Bathing£83.00 -
Ready, Set, Glow£53.00
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Nourish Skin from Head to Toe£32.00
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For Your SMOOTHEST Skin
Welcome back to Slow Waters, our guest series where we slow down and talk all things soft living, rest and rejuvenation with some of our favourite Homebodies.
This month, we’re chatting with Madeleine - a Yoga and Pilates teacher, and all-round mindful mover who recently swapped life in London for the Dolomites. After years of navigating the impact of stress on her health, Madeleine found healing through mindful movement and nutrition. Now, she invites others to celebrate their bodies through intentional, joy-filled practices that blend strength, softness, and breath work. Her approach is rooted in balance, authenticity, and the belief that your health should add to your life, never subtract from it.
Let's get into it...
Hey Madeleine! Tell us, what does rest mean to you in your current stage of life, and how has your relationship with downtime evolved through your healing journey?
I spent years “powering through” and equating my self-worth with my productivity, comparing myself to others in my industry and essentially using stress and business as a badge of honour. I’ve experienced burn out more than once, and I now take rest and recovery very seriously. I tell myself I deserve to feel good, and try to treat myself like someone I love and care for.
What would you say to someone who was struggling with the guilt around rest? Ie: feeling like they need to ‘earn’ it.
The phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup” has become cliche but it really is so true. When you don't take time to truly switch off, you can’t show up as your best self for partners, friends, projects, clients etc. Instead of needing to “earn” your rest, recognise how much more productive you are after you’ve given yourself a break. It doesn’t have to be a spa day, but taking intentional moments of pause to go for a short walk, sit with a cup of tea listening to your favourite music, play with a pet, or even take a nap, can allow you to recharge and step back to your project with new energy instead of constantly running on fumes.
You recently swapped life in London for the Italian Alps - how has your new environment shaped your pace, your practice and/or your perspective on what it means to slow down?
In London I felt this constant pressure to do more. Everything felt performative, even my rest. Now I realise the pressure I felt was from myself. I don’t have the distraction or novelties of a busy city, so my life has naturally slowed. I take my dog for walks, I cook meals at home, I’m not rushing between studios on a Lime bike with 1 pedal while trying to plan my next class. Everything I choose to fill my day with is intentional, including my movement practice. I drive 30 min to my local gym twice a week, and otherwise do Pilates and Yoga at home or while teaching in person or on YouTube, and spend more time walking in nature than inside in a studio.
We love your approach to teaching pilates and yoga classes - which is all about celebrating the body instead of punishing it - we’d love to know, what’s your favourite way to move your own body and why?
Thank you! It really varies, but I always incorporate strength training, walking, and Pilates. Sometimes I really lean into the gym, other times all I want to do is Pilates in my pjs at home. I was really missing reformer since moving, so I invested in a home reformer in June and that has brought me so much joy. I always feel so good after using it and for me it’s a perfect balance of strength and mobility. I feel so connected to my body throughout my sessions and I don’t think any other form of exercise really compares.
Stress once had a real and scary impact on your health - what are some small practices or mindset shifts that help you stay grounded rather than overwhelmed now?
I try to just focus on the basics: Sleep, nutrition, connection, movement. For me, the biggest shifts have come from a few habits. I am strict about no screens after 9pm, and sleep with my phone in the kitchen. I read before bed and have a cup of tea before checking my phone in the morning. This honestly has made such a difference in my stress and sleep and allows me to wake up without an instant influx of messages and information. Daily walks in nature have also been transformative for my anxiety. I either walk without headphones or I listen to a guided meditation. This really helps me ground into the present instead of spiralling. The combination of fresh air, movement, and nature is medicine for me. I am incredibly fortunate to have a home sauna, so that has become part of my grounding practice. When I’m feeling overwhelmed and need to completely switch off, I love taking an hour to dry brush, sauna, everything shower, and then slather MIRROR WATER SMOOTH Body Oil all over. I swear it’s a religious experience.
Is there a scent, texture, or natural element that instantly helps you soften?
recently I’ve been adding lavender and pine essential oils in the sauna and it makes me feel so peaceful.
What’s a book, film, podcast, or album that soothes you?
The Vernon Spring radio station on Spotify always hits.
Can you paint us a picture of your ideal slow Sunday in the mountains?
I love a calm slow start to the day, especially on a Sunday. I’ll put on some music, light a candle, and bake banana bread. We’ll take Monty out for a long walk in the mountains. We just got snow so everything feels extra magical right now, and there is nothing better than coming in from the snow and hopping into the sauna. I’ll go through my self-care routine slowly and intentionally, adding in some extras like my red light mask. All good winter Sundays end with an early roast dinner, a good series, and chocolate on the sofa with my husband.
Connect with Madeleine ↓
Move with Madeleine
Instagram
YouTube
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At-home Forest Bathing£83.00
-
Ready, Set, Glow£53.00
-
Nourish Skin from Head to Toe£32.00
-
For Your SMOOTHEST Skin
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