Wellness
How I Set My Monthly Intentions
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I’ve always been a fan of setting intentions each day.
What do I want my day to look like? What do I want it to feel like? What do I want to achieve?
I ask myself these simple questions each day so that I can move about my day mindfully, and with intention.
I recently started zooming out and taking a look at my intentions at a month’s glance. What is my “theme” each month? Last month, I really wanted to focus on creating space in my home. By minimizing the clutter, removing the items I do not need, or want, I have created space for myself to be creative, be free, and be centered. With less around me, this has made me more focused (especially as someone who works from home!).
Over the next 30 days, I have a few specific intentions I want to keep in mind that are all aligned with the word: appreciation.
Appreciate nature.
It’s such a blessing to live in a place where the ocean is just a short car ride away. As someone who deals with some anxiety, being in nature is grounding and calming to my soul. Ocean waves are always soothing and get me into the right mindset. If you don’t live in LA or in an area close to the ocean, find a nearby park or a hike you can explore and appreciate!
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Appreciate nature.
It’s such a blessing to live in a place where the ocean is just a short car ride away. As someone who deals with some anxiety, being in nature is grounding and calming to my soul. Ocean waves are always soothing and get me into the right mindset. If you don’t live in LA or in an area close to the ocean, find a nearby park or a hike you can explore and appreciate!
Appreciate my body.
Movement is such an easy way to show appreciation for the strength of my body. I’m focused on low-intensity workouts at the moment. People sometimes think low-intensity is less effective, but I think it can be even more intense! A lot of moves tend to be slower, where you can really feel your muscles working. I love going to Pilates, or even a good uphill hike can do the trick! Coreology is a favorite of mine, as is Carrie’s Pilates Plus.
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Appreciate my body.
Movement is such an easy way to show appreciation for the strength of my body. I’m focused on low-intensity workouts at the moment. People sometimes think low-intensity is less effective, but I think it can be even more intense! A lot of moves tend to be slower, where you can really feel your muscles working. I love going to Pilates, or even a good uphill hike can do the trick! Coreology is a favorite of mine, as is Carrie’s Pilates Plus.
Appreciate my culture.
I love cooking, but sometimes it can be hard for me to prioritize it into my schedule. This month, I want to be intentional in the kitchen and cook more Korean food. I grew up with my mom cooking Korean food, and I’m lucky enough to have her still here with me to pass down her recipes. I have a few Korean recipes on my blog, and I want to work on getting some more traditional food from my mom’s kitchen to yours.
What intentions are you setting? We can have limited time and energy, so it’s important to be mindful of how you spend your month.
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Appreciate my culture.
I love cooking, but sometimes it can be hard for me to prioritize it into my schedule. This month, I want to be intentional in the kitchen and cook more Korean food. I grew up with my mom cooking Korean food, and I’m lucky enough to have her still here with me to pass down her recipes. I have a few Korean recipes on my blog, and I want to work on getting some more traditional food from my mom’s kitchen to yours.
What intentions are you setting? We can have limited time and energy, so it’s important to be mindful of how you spend your month.
Beauty
Black-owned Beauty and Wellness Businesses to Know
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February is Black History Month—a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans in society. As the beauty and wellness industry becomes a more welcoming and inclusive space for all, we are taking this opportunity to continue to shine a light on the gap of inclusivity and diversity in our industry, and take action to promote, empower, and honor the Black community that shapes and grows wellness.
While the beauty industry is making improvements—it's important to showcase and support Black businesses and the creatives in this space every day. To honor them, we're shouting out some of our favorite Black-owned beauty and wellness businesses to support.
1. Beauty Bin
Beauty Bin is a full-service day spa and dry bar located in Asheville, NC. With a focus on inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, genders, and races, their MO is to match the outer beauty of every client to their inner beauty. From eyelash extensions and hydrafacials to waxing and massage, Beauty Bin is a one-stop-shop for all the spa services.
2. KIKA Stretch Studio
The KIKA Method® is a gentle assisted stretching process that loosens up tight muscles freeing your body from pain and stress. By practicing this method, clients can experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy, enhanced flexibility, a substantial reduction in stress, improved posture and relaxation, and increased mental clarity. While its headquarters is located in Las Vegas, NV, they have multiple locations sprinkled throughout the US, including Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas—just to name a few.
3. Kimberly Coleman Salon
At Kimberly Coleman Salon, their philosophy begins with promoting healthy tresses, elegant sets, unique accouterments, perfect pampering of hands and feet, and precision cuts. Known for working with models and celebrities, they fully appreciate and celebrate the diversity of their clientele which also includes super moms and warrior dads.
4. Pressed Roots
Pressed Roots was developed with the simple concept in mind—that everyone deserves access to easy, and quality hair care. What started as a single pop-up shop in Boston, grew to a multi-city pop-up tour, and is now slated to be the largest national hair salon franchise specializing in the care and styling of highly textured hair, they launched their first flagship location in Dallas, TX.
5. SW3AT
Jersey City resident, Alyza Brevard-Rodriguez started SW3AT. The company began as a fitness apparel line in 2015 but evolved into a sanctuary catered to health and wellness now known as SW3AT Sauna Studio—the first infrared sauna studio in Jersey City. The healing power of infrared heat therapy is a phenomenal option for holistic health proven to strengthen the immune system and provide relief from joint stiffness and muscle pain. It is also supportive of any fitness program as it aids in weight loss (you can torch up to 900 calories in a 45-minute session) while also detoxifying your body from some of the most harmful toxins.
6. The TEN Nail Bar
Kelli Coleman and Anika Jackson opened The TEN Nail Bar in Detroit to address a void in their city. They saw a need for a quality, modern nail bar that could also serve as a fun social space for Detroit’s residents and professionals. They designed the TEN to provide their clients with a #Perfect10 experience—where you can relax, enjoy music, a drink, your friends, a clean and precise manicure, and a much-needed break from all your hectic days.
7. Bettye O Day Spa
Located in the beautiful downtown Hyde Park Chicago area, Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments. They aim to nurture and relax each of their clients with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques. From body wraps and massages to facials and hydrotherapy, this day spa promises to be a safe place for healing to occur.
Looking for more businesses to support? ClassPass has also created a list of Black-owned business to check out all year-round. While both of these lists are a great start to get you familiar with many of the Black-owned businesses either in your neighborhood or around the globe, we have only scratched the surface. We'd love to keep these lists growing.If you have any businesses you'd like to see on this list, click here to submit a Black-owned business we should be highlighting as well!
