We live in a world that rewards busy. A culture where “more” is the goal. More productivity, more effort, more intensity. It’s easy to feel like if you’re not dripping in sweat or ticking off an endless to-do list, you’re not doing enough.
But here’s the truth: doing less can be the most powerful thing you do for your body and mind, and overall health and happiness!
At MerryBody, we’ve witnessed this shift firsthand. The moment people slow down, tune in, and soften their approach to movement and wellness… everything begins to change.
The Myth of “No Pain, No Gain”
We’ve been conditioned to believe that exercise has to hurt to work. That if we’re not pushing ourselves to the edge, we’re slacking off. But this mindset leads straight to burnout… not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.
We remember thinking there was no point to do Yoga because it wasn’t ‘hard enough’ and we didn’t burn enough calories… how naive we were!
Real wellness isn’t about punishing your body, it’s about supporting it.
Honouring it.
Listening to what you actually need.
Sure, sometimes we all need that go-go energy, in life and exercise. But many other times, we need less pressure, we need to slow down and go gently
Why Slowing Down and Doing Less Is a Radical Act of Self-Care
When you choose to slow down, you send a powerful message to yourself: I am enough, just as I am.
This shift impacts every part of your life:
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Your nervous system finally gets a break, moving from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest.
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You begin to move your body out of care, respect and even love, not guilt, anxiety and punishment
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You find joy in small moments again… a deep breath, a delicious stretch, a quiet pause.
It’s not about doing nothing. It’s about doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time.
The Power of Gentle, Intentional Movement
Yoga, Pilates and meditation aren’t just exercises… they’re tools for awareness. They ask you to slow down, tune into your breath, and be present with your body.
A 10-minute stretch on your living room floor can be more transformative than an hour of high-intensity training if it’s done with intention.
Pilates might look easy on the outside… but we know for sure the movements are some of the most physically challenging and transformative you can try!
Plus, for us and maybe you, these ways of movement are fun! When you enjoy the way you move, you’re more likely to keep showing up. And this is where the magic happens. Not in the occasional extreme effort, but in the small, consistent moments that stack up over time.
Creating a Sustainable Practice (That Does Not Feel Like a Chore)
We believe movement should feel like another task on your list.
That’s why inside the MerryBody App, we offer a huge variety of classes to suit your energy, your mood and your schedule:
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Got 7 minutes? We’ve got you! Check the under 10 minute class filter.
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Need something restorative? Try a Yin Yoga or meditation.
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Feel like a good kind of burn? Our Pilates classes build muscle without burnout.
Doing less for wellness doesn’t mean giving up. It means letting go of what’s no longer serving you. It means redefining progress… not as, how much you do, but how connected, present and energised you feel. And how in tune you are with what you need on a day-to-day basis.
If you’re ready to explore this approach to wellness, come and try it for yourself. You can start today with a free 7 day trial of the MerryBody App. Explore our gentle Yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes and discover how good it feels to do less, more often.
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla