January 2026 ~ Full Moon

 
 

This newsletter, which we began preparing at the end of 2025, will arrive in your inbox as we shift into 2026. Whether you're in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere, I hope you've been able to carve out time for connection, relaxation and pleasure. I guess that's what's important to me!

Whilst home, I savoured each day of stunning skies outside and candles, fairy lights, and my wood stove inside, as I simultaneously stayed connected with my family in London, as my step-mum of 50 years entered the twilight of her life. 
Gillian Eve Lewin died on Monday, 29th December, and her funeral took place on January 1st.
I'm tending to my personal grief, comforted by the love and support of family and friends, supporting my Dad in his heartbreak.

I am at home with liminal space. It's one of the gifts our movement practice offers us.
Respite.
I wish each one of you reading this, times of respite and peace during 2026, amidst glorious moments of full-bodied celebration of life!


"We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy."
- Pema Chödrön

In the far north of Scotland, light is precious at this time of year, in its fading and return.

 
 

Catherine Elvinger (OF teacher in Luxembourg, OFI Head of Fundraising and board member), has, over the last months, gathered together a wealth of information from different sources to communicate the story of Open Floor International from inception to now.

Read on and see how you can become or continue to be, part of the Open Floor story. Each donation ensures the future of OFI, thank you.

Transparency in Motion - The Story of OF in Three Parts


Part 1: 2012-2019
This is the story of our movement practice – the story of Open Floor: a story born from grief, carried by resilience, and shaped by immense courage and generosity.

Watch Part I: The Origin Story (or listen to the podcast)


Part 2: OFI Today (2020-2025)
A present shaped by participation, diversity, and a widening circle of belonging.

Watch Part 2: OFI Today (or listen to the podcast)


Part 3: What It Takes to Sustain and Enhance
What We Have Built

Watch Part 3: The Hidden Structures Behind OFI (or listen to the podcast)


Read a written companion to all the Transparency in Motion videos here.

Want to become a member? Click here
Want to donate? Click here

Mixcloud Offering


I recorded the 'Opening to New Possibilities' soundscape from last months 'becoming - where to from here?' retreat in FINDHORN:
▶️ Listen Here (recording length 50:59 minutes)

Pre-Covid I very rarely shared my playlists - I held them close, as a piece of my soul, and didn't even know how to record them. Something shifted during the time of so many people teaching online, and I now experience satisfaction in uploading playlists that I've loved curating, especially having seen the live responses on the dance floor, and know both the participants from the workshops, and those who haven't had the opportunity to be in the room are enjoying them; the dance lives on!

In line with my commitment to be as ethical as possible in my business practices, I purchase as much of my music as possible via Bandcamp, which prioritises paying artists well for their music.

If you enjoy this soundscape, (or indeed any of my 84 playlists currently available to listen to!), any donation/'tip' via my Mixcloud profile page, supports me in supporting the artists, as well honouring the time and experience in crafting these for your listening pleasure. Thank you.

 

The January newsletter also includes an abundance of offerings:

  • JEDI Zone

  • Monthly music track

  • Full Moon in Cancer video

 

You can view the rest of my January full moon newsletter here.

 
 
NEWSLETTERBeth McDougallVital Moves