Singita Wellness has been so much more than a fitness club and spa to so many people. Our incredible community have been reaching out to me personally since our closing was announced. I have slowly been getting back to each and everyone of you and I thank you for such wonderful powerful words expressing what Singita (meaning miracles in Tsonga Southern African language) really meant to you all.
The place where you not only got the best kickass classes, we pushed through with laughter and joy, challenging you to new levels. The coffees or smoothies before or after classes on the pool patio is where the real authentic friendships were formed. The support and connection to one another provided a profoundly heartwarming sense of community and belonging on an island where for so many it’s a second home or newer home and it never seems to be as easy to make those deep meaningful connections later on in life. Deep rooted friendships are so often formed through school, university, workplace as we go through challenges and share formative experiences together.
What you may not all know, is just how much Singita Wellness Mullins has meant to me personally, over and above the fore mentioned. It has been my safe space and sanctuary for the last 7 years, the space where I felt loved, appreciated and valued for the work and effort that I put into the classes, the Spa, the beautifying of it all and making sure everything everyday worked in pure well thought out Singita style. I probably put the effort into Singita Wellness I would have in creating a home. It’s very sad for me to slowly break down what I so carefully created from scratch, the attention to detail, whether sourcing bamboo to whitewash for the pots or my daughter hand painting our signs for the doors.
You probably also don’t know that on Sundays, the only day it was closed, you would still find me there, escaping the situation at home, which is not longer my sanctuary and peaceful place.
I think most of you know the struggle I have been having, to extricate myself from a very difficult marriage. A loving peaceful home has been nonexistent and in fact the complete reverse for many years. I am still not able to move from this volatile environment unfortunately, and cannot say too much for legal reasons. I’ve tried to reframe my way of living as I just have a bad neighbour. My Grandchildren have called Singita “Gran’s home’ and we’ve had amazing little Sunday morning rituals, feeding fish and playing in the studio, the best soft playroom for toddlers. I think you may have noticed the teeth marks in the Yoga blocks! So through this cycle and the evolutionary process of Singita, I know without a doubt I have evolved and have more strength to face the adversity with courage.
Some of you have very sweetly asked how I’m enjoying putting my feet up now we have closed Singita Mullins doors. And whilst Singita Wellness will continue online whilst we find a new space, the reality of my ‘time off’, is it’s been back-breaking days of packing boxes and moving equipment and furniture from Singita Wellness, with the wonderful help of Lavern, Amanda and Kim. I’m busy organizing a good Zoom set up on my terrace at home to live stream classes for my Online Club members. It’s getting there, I do love transforming space and putting our serene Singita energy and Spirit into new spaces and see how the miracle unfolds.
So as I sit amongst half packed boxes, and the dismantling of what was so painstakingly created, I am faced with the myriad of mixed emotions of what my future security will be – financially and emotionally. I cannot help but think of a “Phoenix rising from the ashes” The phoenix a symbol of hope of life, of better things to come, born from the knowledge and experience of difficult and challenging times to rise in powerful renewed glory. So let’s get through the drudgery, let’s work through the tough stuff, with commitment, courage and tenacity. And more importantly, let’s hold the vision! Let’s manifest the new Singita space. It won’t be the same, but it will be beautiful, harmonious, authentic and inviting. Let’s dream, let’s trust in God’s Greater plan, onwards and upwards my glorious Singitians!!!! In the words of the amazing anthem by Journey “Don’t Stop Believing”.
And in the meantime – if you haven’t yet joined the Online Club – why not give it a try (link here). For now, this will be my offering as well as my living, and your support means everything.
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about’. Margaret J Wheatley
(I wonder if she is a distant relative?…lol)
Love Michelle x