Reduce stress and boost your well-being through play and laughter.
Surrender to life’s flow and discover the freedom of letting go.
Simple, actionable tips to add more joy and lightness to your daily routine.

Dear Yogi,

I hope this letter finds you with a smile and ready to embrace the lightness of being! 🌟

Here at Breathe and Flow HQ, we are juggling the beautiful chaos of life; two adult yogis, one toddler, and one newborn navigating the rhythms of sleep, food, multiple work projects, writing books, and family life. Life can bring moments of exhaustion and despair juxtaposed with some of the sweetest, blissful moments imaginable. We hope whatever you’re doing today, you’re surrendering to all the feels just as we are…😜

How Playfulness and Joy Relieve Stress

You know when you see someone having fun… they look like they are glowing from the inside. They are bathed in a light of shining, free, happiness. They are PRESENT. We can have fun when we are really in the moment.

Even those of us with a good sense of humor sometimes find ourselves overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Picture this: you’re sleep-deprived, overstretched, and accidentally putting your dirty laundry in the trash, missing your exit off the interstate while driving, or, wait for it, placing your car keys in the fridge. (Just us?) In these moments, we have two choices: we can get frustrated, yell at ourselves or the universe, and spiral further into stress. Or we can surrender, laugh, and truly embrace the absurdity and magic of it all. Really laugh and cry at the same time if it feels good! Shake and utterly lose yourself in the moment, knowing that this too will pass and possibly even quite funny (or will be at some point in the future…)

Laughter breaks tension, lightens our mood, and helps release sadness and frustration. Think back to a time when you laughed or cried uncontrollably; although they feel like opposing emotions, both allow us to connect with our bodies deeply, bringing us back to the present moment. What a joy it is to feel fully alive and to deeply let go. Noticing, recognizing and expressing emotions in their fullest form allows the valve within us to open, so feelings can move through and make way for the next wave of vibrant human experience. Surrendering in this way is the opposite of the tight, suppressive way we were often taught to behave in at attempt to appear that we had ‘everything under control’ while quietly muffling our truth inside.

❝

How well did you love? How fully did you live?

How deeply did you let go?

Buddha

Why Playfulness is Essential for Adults

The beauty of living with a playful heart is that it’s contagious. When you approach life with a lightness and sense of fun, others naturally follow suit. Fun energy is contagious and it’s something definitely worth spreading around. Positive interactions and laughter in social contexts can create a sense of belonging and emotional support, which are essential for managing stress. These connections can act as protective factors, buffering against the negative impacts of stress.

As adults, we often dismiss playfulness as something reserved for children, thinking it’s unproductive or frivolous. But research tells us that play is essential for our well-being and that adults who engage in playful activities report higher life satisfaction, lower stress levels, and stronger social connections. It reduces stress, boosts mood, and even strengthens our immune system. Engaging in playful activities allows us to disconnect from life’s pressures, recharge, and tap into our creativity.

❝

Fun is not just a luxury, it’s a biological necessity.

Is It Possible to Find Joy in Difficult Times?

Sometimes, difficult emotions like sadness or grief feel heavy, like a cloak weighing us down. This “heaviness” can restrict us, making it hard to engage with life or allow ourselves the freedom to laugh or play for fear of guilt, wasting time or in an attempt to maintain control over our circumstances or the events going on around us. But, this only leads to a feeling of being untethered and disengaged from the world.

Joy is not a fleeting feeling based on external circumstances. Instead, true joy arises from within and is a result of how we engage with the world. True joy comes from surrendering to life’s flow, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing each moment with lightness and humor.

At times, this means surrendering to sadness or grief, allowing ourselves to fully experience these emotions rather than distract ourselves from them. Avoiding or suppressing them doesn’t speed up the healing process, sometimes, time and the space to feel are necessary in order to fully process heartache or loss. It’s through this deep acceptance of our emotions, no matter how painful, that we can begin to make room for joy again.

❝

Life is too important to be taken seriously.

– Oscar Wilde

Yoga and Playfulness

Somatic research often emphasizes the importance of body awareness in managing stress. Movement naturally brings attention to the body and can help people feel more present in the moment, distracting from stressors and promoting mindfulness.

Yoga already invites us to be present with our bodies. On and off the mat, playful movements or spontaneous postures can invite lightness and joy, breaking up the rigidity that stress often creates in the body. Embracing the wobbles, laughter, and any sensations that arise during your practice helps foster a sense of ease and acceptance. Whether it’s a giggle during a balancing pose or simply allowing yourself to feel any discomfort without judgment, these moments remind us that it’s okay not to be perfect. Perfection isn’t necessary, and every moment on the mat offers an opportunity to smile, surrender, and feel free.

Here’s a little playful class with Bre to challenge your ability to be too serious on the mat!

Our best sides

The Power of Surrender: Letting Go and Letting Life Flow

In Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment, he shares his personal journey of giving up control and allowing life to unfold as it will. By surrendering to the natural flow of things, we open ourselves to unexpected opportunities and deeper peace. Surrender doesn’t mean passivity or resignation, but rather letting go of rigid expectations and allowing things to happen without force or resistance.

For those of you on the new parent train right now, this may be particularly pertinent. Letting go of the idea of being the “perfect” parent and of handling every situation in the “perfect” way can bring a sense of calm and reduce judgment on your journey. After all, we are all students in life, and sometimes children can be the most incredible teachers for us.

When we practice surrender, we invite more fun and joy into our lives as we release the need to control every outcome. When we stop trying to dictate everything, we create space for magic to unfold naturally. We can be serious in our work without taking ourselves too seriously. We can stay committed to important goals, but we don’t have to lose our ability to laugh and let go along the way. Kind of like this video we filmed years ago just to be silly and make the viewer question the meaning of life…

Key Takeaways:

Play reduces stress, enhances creativity, and strengthens relationships.
Laughter and spontaneity foster joy and lighten the mood.
Surrendering to life’s flow opens us to deeper peace and freedom.

How to Bring More Play and Joy into Your Life

Now that you’re inspired, here are simple tips to bring more playfulness, joy, and surrender into your daily routine:

Laugh More – Laughter is like bubbles of joy escaping from your body. Find humor in the little things. Watch a funny show or share a silly GIF, joke, or memory with a friend. Laughter is one of the simplest ways to bring joy into your life. Laugh at your own mistakes or moments of silliness, confidently singing along to a song and being caught by a colleague you didn’t know was around the corner? Waving enthusiastically at someone, only to realize they were actually waving at the person behind you?🤣
Say Yes to Spontaneity – Give yourself permission to do something unexpected. Go for an impromptu walk, take a detour, call someone and ask them a silly question or play a game with someone just for fun. Let life surprise you and say yes more.
Practice the Art of Surrender – Let go of the need for control and trust that life will unfold as it should. Go ‘all in’ to whatever it is you are doing and find joy in the process. Perfectionism and being tied to outcomes can take you out of the present to become an onlooker of your life. Be in it now, it’s your one and only precious life.
Reclaim Your Childhood Play – Remember what made you happy as a child? Whether it was climbing trees, singing, painting, doing handstand contents, or playing a sport, find ways to incorporate those activities into your adult life. If you have children or even pets in your life, join them and rediscover the joy of play and being in the moment.
Connect with Others Through Play – Join a group activity, play games with friends or family, or explore a new hobby. Shared laughter and joy help deepen connections and make life more meaningful.
Reduce Screen Time – Limit time spent on your phone or in front of screens. Constant scrolling or picking up your phone pulls you out of the present moment, disrupting your flow and mindfulness. While phones can be a great way to share joy with others, be mindful of how you use them to ensure they enhance, rather than detract from, real-life play, creativity, and connection.
Don’t be so serious! - Here’s your 60 second assignment.😜
Flirt With Life – Embrace the lighthearted moments by adding a little playful energy wherever you go. Pull a silly face like a sulky kid on the bus, compliment the shop assistant on their cool hat, or greet everyone with a cheerful “Good morning!” as you enter your workspace with some dance moves. These small, spontaneous acts of fun raise the energy around you and invite joy into your day. By bringing a playful spirit into your interactions, you not only lift your own mood but also spread positive vibes to others, creating a ripple effect of lightness.
Try New Things, Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - There’s something about being a beginner again which makes us humble and keeps us in the growth mindset of getting curious, making mistakes and having fun - whether that’s learning a language, learning how to dance or play an instrument - getting comfortable with feeling silly is liberating!

Embrace the Freedom of Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously

Laughing at yourself is not just good for your soul, it’s good for your body too. Laughter activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm the body, reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. It’s a simple, yet powerful tool for staying balanced and joyful.

So, let go of the need for perfection, surrender to the flow of life, and have fun. When we embrace the freedom of not taking ourselves too seriously, we unlock more joy, creativity, and ease in our lives. Let go of expectations and dive into life with a light heart; you might just find that the more you let go, the more joy will come your way.

Before you go, enjoy this little moment of silliness from our funny bone to yours…

breatheandflow
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With love and laughter,

📺 Catherine Price, author and speaker in her TED talk, Why Having Fun is the Secret to a Healthier Life

📖 The Surrender Experiment By Michael Singer: His inspiring true story about the magic that happens when you just let go.

The Book of Joy by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams: A reflection on what constitutes lasting happiness and joy, even amidst suffering. These two spiritual leaders explore joy, happiness, and how we can cultivate them in our lives.

Other cool stuff we use, buy and recommend can all be found here in the Breathe and Flow Kit here! From books and to reading and watch lists, business tools, to travel items and yoga props - we’ve got you covered!

🎧 This research on ‘Why Grownups Should Be Playful Too’ look at how playfulness can improve your relationships, help you excel at work, and reduce stress.