The frenetic pace of the daily grind means we often are not able to give importance to rituals that nourish mind + body- ones that we need the most. Cue Kat Farrants, founder of online yoga, mindfulness + meditation portal, Movement For Modern Life, aka the antidote to modern day life. She shares what keeps her on golden form while running a business + the healing power of yoga.
We would love you to tell us little about your journey what led to the creation of Movement For Modern Life.
I started MFML in a ‘perfect storm’ of events. First of all, I knew that I had been in the wrong job, living the wrong life, for so many years, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I quite suddenly got the courage to leave my job as a lawyer, my husband had left me, and I was looking to start a new life. I didn’t know what that would be, but I knew that yoga had been part of my life for many years.
I’d had a bad car crash a few years earlier, and yoga had really helped me heal. I wanted for yoga to be widely available, as a healing tool, for people to be able to deal with the challenges that life brings, like car crashes and husbands suddenly walking out on us! There are so few tools for people to turn to in life crises, that I wanted for people to know that there are things that they can do to help. I also had a very clear picture of the teachers I wanted on the platform, I knew that it would be with a selection of the most senior teachers, the ones who have had the experience, the wisdom and can inspire all of us, and I wanted to make their practices accessible to all.
How would you sum up what MFML stands for?
Movement for Modern Life is just about making yoga easy.
How do you find your daily source of golden balance?
My daily yoga and meditation practice! Running a company is so busy and stressful, it’s easy for that stress to turn into overwhelm. If I didn’t have my daily online practices I certainly wouldn’t be able to get the balance. I live rurally, where it’s hard to get to classes, but even for folks in the city, by the time you’ve got to the studio and got home, half the day is gone, let alone actually doing the class. I just don’t know how people fit it in! So yes, online yoga practice truly is my source of golden balance!
How important is self-care to you, and do you often implement it into your regular rituals?
It’s absolutely crucial. When I’m not looking after myself, I’m simply not able to run MFML effectively. I do ‘make’ myself go on yoga retreats every now and again. Simply because the team always comment on how super-charged I am afterwards. So that’s an absolute essential for me for the wellbeing of others around me. It is great getting instant feedback from other people on how important it is to look after ourselves. Every day I make sure I incorporate of course yoga and meditation into my day. But also delicious, nutritious food and long walks in nature.
Share with us a quote that gives you daily inspiration.
I’m a big believer in taking responsibility for our lives, in questioning existing structures, in saying what needs to be said, and not going along with easy options. So I love this quote from Maya Angelou which reminds me of the importance, how absolutely crucial it is to wake up and live a conscious life
“Most people don't grow up. It's too damn difficult. What happens is most people get older. That's the truth of it. They honour their credit cards, they find parking spaces, they marry, they have the nerve to have children, but they don't grow up."
We know nourishment from the inside is fundamental to you. How do you practice this every day?
I eat healthily by habit, simply because it feels so much better to me than eating processed or sugar-loaded food. It’s quite easy to eat nourishing food I think if you’re sensitive, if you’re connected to the way you feel. You just want to seek out things that make you feel great, like yoga, good food, being in nature and great company, so it’s an easy practice to remember!
What are some of your favourite ways to wind down?
My favourite way of course is yoga, and yoga nidra especially is amazing. I also love long, long rambles in nature and in woodland with my dogs.
Ingredients-wise, what are your three non-negotiables in the kitchen?
I do put garlic, spinach or kale and lemons in almost everything!
Now tell us, do you have a guilty pleasure?
I do love sitting on the sofas getting comfy with the dogs and putting on the telly every now and again, and yes, I might just have a piece of chocolate too.
What is your favourite way to use turmeric?
I make up golden paste regularly and put it in an almond milk. So yummy and comforting. I also put golden paste in the dogs food, so it’s for all the family!
Matcha or turmeric latte?
Tumeric latte every time – I love it! Especially with some cinnamon sprinkled on top. Delicious.