thread [noun]
a fine cord of flax, cotton, or other fibrous material spun out to considerable length, especially when composed of two or more filaments twisted together
Lyndsay Kaldor has created an exquisite platform enabling others to learn and shape their own connections to their sacred space, enabling a sense of grounding and wellbeing.
Lyndsay has worked with designers, artists and architects for over 10 years. This vast knowledge and experience enables Lyndsay to use her inspiration and apply it to everyday beauty, creating a sense of homecoming and sacred space.
This beautifully refreshing and educational online presence explores;
~ intuitive movement and body/mind connection
~ a fascination with astrological wisdom
~ an affinity for finding connections that draw people together
~ a deep-seated impulse to guide through self-expression and storytelling
These intricate threads can, in some way, be seen as an act of self care, a way for others reading to incorporate a mindful reconnection to themselves, whilst encompassing their space with ideas to ensure one can feel grounded, secure and rooted.
“I believe that energy transfers from inside our bodies to outside and vice versa. How we choose to surround ourselves has a rippling effect on many elements of our lives.”
In this detailed Q&A Lyndsay unravels further what the thread journal is, the inspiration behind the concept and how one can use it to embody their own sacred space at home whilst “reclaiming the connection to yourself and your place in the world”.
What was the inspiration behind your online space The Thread Journal?
I was inspired to create THE THREAD JOURNAL. as a place to gather and share my ideas drawn from my career in interiors/design/architecture PR, coupled with my long-standing yoga practice and a personal fascination with astrology and ancient practices related to the home.
During my yoga teacher training with Leila Sadeghee and Bridget Luff, we were introduced to the concept ‘sacred space’ which meant creating an intentional, beautiful container for our daily practices and rituals to elevate the everyday. This, alongside my work with interior designers and architects to create highly personal spaces, and an interest in the way that people have lived throughout history landed with me and I felt called to create a platform to explore the importance of our space for our wellbeing.
I feel Thread encapsulates the weaving of ideas along a theme; as well as having a link to the tactility of textiles and fabrics that I feel are central in a home, and also the contemporary usage related to online discussion and connection.
You mention Yoga as an instrumental thread in your life, helping you to manage your diagnosis of Scoliosis in your early teens. How has your yoga practice grown and transitioned over the years?
Yes, I started practicing yoga as a teenager as a way to ensure I kept flexibility in my spine after being diagnosed with Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) when I was 13.
My relationship with yoga is constantly evolving and often reflects where I’m at in life.
It helped me to navigate my teenage years and when I moved out of home in my 20s, I found yoga again via my local community led by my teacher Margherita Dal Pra, which was where my commitment to my practice solidified and I went on to deepen my practice with a teacher training.
Throughout my pregnancy, despite being fortunate to feel very well the majority of the time, I felt a real need to be still and so I moved into almost solely antenatal yoga at the Active Birth Centre which is very different to the flowing practices I had been used to.
The wisdom of the breath and the body undoubtedly helped me to take time to connect to myself and my baby and was also a powerful tool to call on during the birth.
Now, a few months postpartum I am yearning to move again but in reality this is in much shorter bursts of often unstructured, nourishing movement for rehabilitation and to connect back to my body (often with a small baby in tow!)
My advice to someone wanting to incorporate yoga into their daily life is to be fluid with it and not to fall into the belief that you have to do a vigorous lengthy practice for it to matter.
By moving and breathing mindfully you are doing yoga, on or off the mat.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. You write so beautifully of the ways motherhood has altered simple daily dynamics. I found it to be an overwhelming change myself and something that I am still learning from.
What have these early weeks/months taught you so far upon reflection?
Thank you! My world is entirely changed, both internally and also on a practical, everyday level. It is very humbling to have normality being turned upside down and your essence to become devoted to another being.
I feel as though I am learning so much about myself everyday. Most importantly, my daughter is teaching me the true meaning of what it is to be present. I am used to multitasking and having my mind on a number of things but it is amazing to see how a little baby is only in the very moment and I learning to reflect this back as much as I can. She can sense as soon as my attention wanders and I feel that when it is just us (which it has been for the majority of lockdown) she deserves to have my full focus in her waking moments.
I have also learnt to relinquish all control and to go with the flow without forward planning as both are impossible with an unpredictable newborn.
I feel lucky in some ways to have started motherhood during the period of lockdown when I haven’t had the pressure to be anywhere at a certain time!
Lastly, to tune into intuition and instinct. Although my thinking mind feels a little fuzzy, my instinct feels sharp. When I’m not sure what to do I try not to overthink and do what I feel comes naturally. Bringing all of this together, my biggest learning that I am constantly reminding myself of is to “mother the baby you have in front of you”, by staying present and responsive to my baby’s current needs and not worrying about the future.
You talk passionately about creating a sacred space? Could you explain what this means to you?
To me, making a space sacred means making the space intentional, dedicating it to yourself and the people who use it. This way, a home becomes more than a physical space but instead is a feeling that you wish to return to time and time again, and have an emotional connection to.
I think it is important for all of us to have a strong sense of rootedness and grounding, to give us a stable place to respond to life’s challenges. I believe that energy transfers from inside our bodies to outside and vice versa. How we choose to surround ourselves has a rippling effect on many elements of our lives.
Skincare rituals really help me ground myself mentally and allow me to enjoy a sacred few moments of peace and the practice of self care.
How do you incorporate wellness into your daily routines?
I am slowly getting back into my own rhythm of self-care which I realise is so important but easy to neglect, especially now I have a little one to care for too. For a while, even having a shower felt like a huge accomplishment!
I notice now how different I feel when I am consciously looking after myself, whether it is fitting in some meditation, movement, or just washing my hair!
Over the last few weeks I have begun to spend at least a few minutes of my morning moving mindfully on my mat. I have no expectations of how long I am going to get or what it is going to look or feel like but I am grateful to be able to stretch out and move some energy through my body.
In these early months of motherhood I have also found my way back to a regular meditation practice via guided meditations with Bridget Luff who led daily live Mother’s Medicine meditations during the first three months of lockdown.
I found these to be an anchor in my day in order to go inward and to also have the connection with the circle of other mothers on screen.
These have now become weekly and open to all. They continue to be a beautiful time to journey inwards.
Another favourite element of self-care for me has always been walks, usually in the woods near where I live.
These have taken on an even greater importance since having my daughter in lockdown. I usually try to get out during her first nap in the morning and find it incredibly nourishing to be immersed in nature under a canopy of greenery.
Skincare and body care is such a personal choice is there anything that you just couldn’t be without in your routines?
I love Join Vegan Shea Butter Soaps, they are natural, smell amazing and always feel like a treat. Also Join’s handcrafted candles are the best! They are made from soy wax and essential oils and smell totally divine, Hedgerow is my personal favourite. I also love their bath salts which along with everything in the range are beautifully handcrafted and natural. I used Nurture a lot during my pregnancy and hope to get back into baths again soon!
I use BY SARAH London face and body oil everyday. I love the story behind the brand and the simplicity that the sisters are bringing with entirely natural ingredients that are displayed on the front of the bottle with nothing hidden away. The oils smell gorgeous and are so nourishing and hydrating for my skin.
I also love the Repechage almond and honey face scrub which smells good enough to eat, as recommended by my brilliant facialist/healer Geraldine Kelly.
Another favourite is Pipettes, a local, family-run dispensary selling herbal blends and skincare in north London. Each product is made from biodynamic, organic ingredients mostly grown on the family’s farm and has a beautiful mythical story linked to the historical apothecary uses and benefits of the ingredients. I love the range and use the Maiden’s Milk cleanser which is lavender, lemon peel and jasmine blossom based, it is so soothing.
I don’t go a day without slathering myself in Neal’s Yard Mother Balm which I have always gifted to pregnant friends and became obsessed with myself in pregnancy and continue to use now! I also love Neal’s Yard for their essential oils which I like to diffuse in my ceramic diffuser, I especially love Women’s Balance which to me, feels both nourishing and uplifting.
—————————————————————— If you are intrigued to find out more about THE THREAD JOURNAL I encourage you to click the link here and follow Lyndsay on Instagram @lyndsaye_k
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