How to host a yoga-centric New Year's Eve party with your friends

As we approach the last days of the year, you may suddenly find yourself thinking about the way you want to spend the final hours of 2019 and the first moments of 2020. Traditions for this transitional evening abound; some promising luck and prosperity in the year ahead, like the Spanish superstition of eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight, to the pan-cultural allure of driving away evil spirits with a variety of noisemakers. And at some point between the champagne, the over-priced restauraunt prix fixe menu, or the party you didn't really want to go to, you might have even come up with a hurried, zealous resolution to become some better version of yourself — by tomorrow.

This year, instead of rushing through all the usual motions, why not choose to celebrate New Year's Eve with your nearest and dearest in a way that honours the victories and losses of the past year, and gives you space to set a purposeful intention for the year ahead. Gather your friends for a New Year's fête that will feel great for your body, mind, and spirit — and (bonus!) that will have you waking up feeling resplendent on January 1, too.

Get started

Invite your friends! You can send them a fancy invite if you like, or just let them know you'd love their presence at your end of the year party. Be sure to let your guests know what to expect from this celebration; make sure they bring a yoga mat and comfortable clothes to move in.

Before your guests arrive, prepare your place for this type of party. Move any furniture around if necessary, to create an open space for everyone to lay down their yoga mats. If your space allows it, consider setting your mats up in a circle for your practice. Have a few varied playlists ready to carry your party through the night, changing the tune and energy as the party progresses. Set the mood with some soft lighting, dimming lights if possible, or turning off overhead lights and using standing lights and lamps instead. String lights add a bit of sparkle and candles are definitely a must! If you're on the romantic side like me, you might gravitate towards a real flame, but battery operated candles are also a great option as they offer both a warm glow and a very safe time.

If you own crystals, Himalayan salt lamps, essential oil diffusers, or houseplants - now is their time to shine. Set them up in your party space to elevate everyone's vibe!

Get moving

Once everyone arrives, start your party off with some physical movement. Click play on these free videos from yoga instructor Tara Stiles or Adriene Mishler to move through sequences that focus on letting go, releasing tension and any negative thoughts from 2019 to create space in the year ahead for what truly matters to you.

Get listening

While many New Year's resolutions begin with a noble goal of self-improvement, we can lose our motivation even before February rolls in. The yoga tradition offers an alternative to the conventional new year's resolution through the practice of "sankalpa", a Sanskrit word for intention setting. A sankalpa is a deep resolve, that draws our attention inwards, inviting us to investigate our heart's true intention. Phrased as a positive statement in the present tense, a sankalpa can be an affirming reminder of the truth you already possess (for more on sankalpa see here). One way we can explore sankalpa is through the meditative practice of yoga nidra, or "yogic sleep", a technique that gets us in touch with our inner wisdom. Try this 25 minute yoga nidra practice (available through the free meditation app, Insight Timer), or this 10 or 20 minute yoga nidra practice (available on Spotify).

And if you fear that a yogic sleep might be a buzzkill for your crowd, grab a pen and paper instead and check out this step by step guide for a more alert approach to discovering your sankalpa.

Get (ful)filled

Hosting a potluck is a great way to take some of the pressure off of yourself, and instead of worrying about canapés burning in the oven, you can really be present with your guests. Encouraging everyone to bring healthier options to the table doesn't need to be boring either. Check out these delicious and (mostly) healthy ideas: a gluten free cake that can be made ahead of time, a vegan take on the charcuterie board. an adaptogen reishi mushroom soup,

and a a zingy brussels sprouts salad.

Having some enticing, non alcoholic drinks alongside your bubbly can help curtail boozy overindulgences.

Get giving

Studies have indicated that practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on our health and well being. This year, consider saying thanks by giving back to your community, whether it be a donation of your time or resources. Check out these helpful tips to make a manageable commitment to support a cause that is meaningful to you this year, or visit Volunteer Canada to help you get started.

Alexandra Ordolis is an actor and yoga teacher in Toronto. You can find her on twitter and Instagram @aleyordolis.