New Year's Resolution - Journaling

I have a hard time setting intentions. And setting goals. I usually set a really easy New Year’s resolution. No pressure, no risk.

But this year, I’m inspired to do something new… journaling.

I have journals, I’ve journaled. But I’ve never made journaling a daily practice.

So this is my 2026 New Year’s resolution. And I just-so-happened to win the raffle at the InTouch + Motion’s Wellness Day!

Now I have two beautiful journals to work with (and a fantastic set of fine tip markers, among other wonderful things). I’m starting with the 5-minutes a day journal - which has questions you answer and topics to think about in the morning and evening each day.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress… but for this post, I’d like to focus on an offering from InTouch + Motion that I just found out about that can help us set our intentions and practice journaling!

It’s led by Ciera Shimkus at InTouch + Motion, a licensed therapist and expressive arts facilitator. I’ve been to Ciera’s classes, and they flow between intuitive yoga movements with breath and an amazing sound bath that allows you to relax into the new body you have created.

The intention setting through journaling and art meditation allows you to go as deep as you like into topics of your own choosing, the things you’re working on, or maybe the resolutions you’re trying this year.

I’m excited to share this with those in the Chicagoland area (and those traveling here)! I’ll see you there :)

~ Laurie

Yoga + Sound Bath: Creativity, Movement, and Reflection

A monthly reset in Chicago: intention-setting journaling, gentle yoga + breathwork, then a restorative sound bath for deep rest.

Overview
Join us for a biweekly evening yoga and sound bath experience designed to help you reconnect with yourself through movement, creativity, and reflective practices.

This series is here to create a consistent space for anyone seeking community connection, tools to support a personal mindful practice, or a gentle rhythm to stay accountable to their well-being. Each session blends yoga and breathwork with creative intention-setting, and closes with a restorative sound bath.

Creative practices can make yoga and meditation more accessible for different types of people, and offer a simple way to arrive, reflect, and reset.

In each 75-minute session, you’ll be guided through a welcoming, trauma-informed experience that includes:

• Intention setting through journaling or art meditation

• Yoga + breathwork (asanas)

• Savasana with a sound bath for deep rest and integration
  
  

Ciera’s style is influenced by restorative yoga, Kundalini-inspired practices, and Hatha yoga.

These sessions are ideal for anyone seeking:

• A more personal and creative approach to yoga

• A safe space for body-mind connection

• A grounding and restorative reset No prior yoga or art experience is necessary. All bodies and identities are welcome.
  
  

Led by:
Ciera Shimkus, LCPC, REAT, RYT-200
Licensed therapist and expressive arts facilitator blending the mental health principles of yoga, breathwork, creativity, and sound to support self-discovery, restoration, and self-care.

Dates & Time

Thursdays at 7:15 PM Starting Thursday, January 22, 2026 (Additional dates will be listed on Eventbrite as part of the ongoing series.)

Location

In Touch & Motion
4028 W Irving Park Rd. Loft B, Chicago, IL 60641

Note: This space is only accessible via stairs to the second floor.

Arrival Note

We recommend arriving about 15 minutes early to settle in and get comfortable before we begin. Out of respect for the group experience, doors will close promptly 5 minutes after start time so the session can start smoothly and without interruptions.

Cost (3-tier option)

Tier 1: Community Ticket | $10 For anyone who would benefit from a lower-cost option.

Tier 2: Standard Ticket | $20 Covers the true cost of the session and space.

Tier 3: Supporter Ticket | $30 Helps sustain the series and makes community tickets possible.

What to Bring

A journal, water bottle, and a mat if you have one (mats available on-site too).
Optional: layers or something cozy for savasana, pillow & blanket.

Important Notes

This is a wellness-based session, not a therapy service. While it is facilitated by a licensed or license-eligible mental health professional, participation does not establish a client-therapist relationship.

Contact for questions

info@intouchandmotion.com

More events from this organizer

Authentic Movement and Networking Gathering

Sat, Jan 24, 11:00 AM

In Touch & Motion • Chicago, IL

Free

Wellness Day at InTouch + Motion

It was happenstance that my Mom and I found InTouch + Motion. A friend of a friend… and Mom’s excellent sleuthing skills :)

InTouch & Motion is a creative arts therapy and wellness practice in Chicago dedicated to helping people connect with themselves and others through movement, creativity, and mindful expression.

The sessions can range from traditional psychotherapy, expressive arts therapy, drama therapy, and art therapy to dance movement therapy, somatic EMDR and yoga therapy.

We were surprised and delighted that their mission is similar to our Ahimsa Warrior workshops, where were use art to process trauma and emotions.

I recently attended one of their Wellness Days - A Day to Breathe, Restore, and Reconnect.

This was a free community day of wellness, creativity, and connection at InTouch & Motion. Throughout the day, we had a chance to explore mini sessions and group experiences led by trusted wellness professionals - each designed to help us recharge, reflect, and reconnect with our minds, bodies, and spirits.

The first class I took was with Heather Fraelick – The Healing Eclectic / Myofascial Release & Holistic Therapies. This was guided breathwork and somatic practices to regulate your nervous system and reconnect with your body.

We did movements to help release our fascia (the network of tissue that connects our whole body), and breathing exercises you can use to bring calm to stressful situations. We tuned into our bodies to see where we were still holding tension, emotions or physical blockages.

During lunch we spoke with Erica Reid Gerdes - Waxwing Journeys, and Amanda Mitchell - InTouch & Motion at Bereavement & Burritos: a gentle lunchtime conversation exploring loss, connection, and nourishment. We talked about ways that we grieve, how to support others going through loss, and why we need to discuss things like death, a topic that’s a little taboo, but that affects all of us throughout life.

The next class was with Kelin Hall, LCSW (Kelin Hall, LCSW, PLLC) where we could experience Internal Family Systems-inspired movement to explore self-awareness and embodied healing.

I learned a little bit about Family Systems with the ming + ming Reparenting Workshop - how we all have an inner child, an inner critic and other members of our inner family that we can connect with.

The exercise was movement to words with different meanings, and it was interesting how our bodies interpret these topics and then how we outwardly express them.

I couldn’t stay for the whole class, because I had scheduled a 20-minute Thai bodywork mini session for deep restoration and balance with Amber Gillogly – Y Healing Arts.

Thai massage is different from what you would think of as a typical massage. Amber describes it as a healing modality with its roots in Yoga, dating back over 2500 years ago to India.

The blending of yoga principles makes this bodywork unique to all others. Naturally, during a session, focus switches away from mental stress and anxiety. When this occurs, simple body awareness is allowed to transpire.

It Improves physical and mental well-being, reduces stress, improves blood flow, increases resistance to illness and many other health benefits.

After a wonderful massage, it was time for an immersive closing session combining creativity, yoga, Reiki healing, and sound for integration and calm with Ciera Shimkus - InTouch & Motion, and Amber Gillogly -Y Healing Arts.

We did a little mandala artwork to set our intention and then some yoga movement.

I had to step out for a moment for a fantastic Tarot reading with Callista Lay - Revive Chiropractic Healing Center who offered Tarot readings and short energy-based services for clarity and reflection. I got so much information and insight from this mini Tarot session. Beautiful Tarot cards and wisdom to help me carve my path.

When I returned to my mat, Ciera Shimkus from InTouch & Motion was starting the Sound Bath. She works with interactive art and instruments for creative play and mindful expression.

Amber Gillogly from Y Healing Arts did Reiki (energy work) for us individually as we lay in savasana, enjoying the sounds of drumming and instruments washing over us, encouraging us to let go and be in the moment.

What a beautiful day to bring us back to ourselves and into a community of healers, students and those on a healing path. Ciera also offers a monthly yoga class with a sound bath, to keep you grounded and in alignment.

This is such a Holistic approach to therapy and wellness, and we can benefit tremendously from integrating movement, sound and art into our healing. See you at the next Wellness Day!

~ Laurie