Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the most soul-nourishing event in East Hampton—a morning of Pilates and journaling hosted by the lovely Ashley Patten and Dr. Amitha Kalaichandran. In an effort to preserve my energy this summer, I’ve been selective about the events I attend. And let’s just say, this one was exactly what my mind and body didn’t know they needed.
The day began in Ashley’s new Pilates space, tucked away in a serene corner of East Hampton. We moved through a grounding and energizing mat class that felt equal parts powerful and peaceful in the tranquil garden just outside her studio—a dreamy, tucked-away oasis I wanted to move right into. Ashley has such a calming presence and a way of guiding you through movement that feels intuitive and supportive—like your body is being invited, not pushed, into presence.
After class, we continued to enjoy the garden and took our seats for a reflective journaling session led by Dr. Kalaichandran, a physician, epidemiologist, and writer. She introduced us to her beautiful new On Healing journal and guided us through prompts centered around presence, purpose, and joy. It gave us the space to go inward, put pen to paper, and reconnect with ourselves in the most peaceful setting.
I’ve never been much of a journaler, but something about her thoughtful prompts and the energy of the group inspired me to get honest about the emotions I’ve been holding, especially around the coexistence of grief and joy. In that moment, I made a quiet promise to myself to incorporate journaling into my wellness practice and to be more open to letting the Universe lead, rather than stressing over having all the answers all the time.
There’s something powerful about starting your day with intention—moving your body, quieting your mind, and truly listening to yourself without distractions. It reminded me that slowing down in the middle of a busy season isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Bonus points if you can do all of this in a tranquil space that feels like you’ve been transported to a faraway locale.
As I left the event (reluctantly…I could’ve stayed in that garden all day), I felt lighter, clearer, and more connected to myself. These are exactly the kinds of experiences I want to invite more of into my life—where wellness meets community, and where slowing down feels just as productive as speeding up.
A huge thank you to Ashley and Dr. Kalaichandran for curating such a thoughtful and intentional morning. I’m still soaking it all in, but I look forward to visiting Ashley’s Pilates space again soon, and to making the journal a trusted companion on my wellness journey.
Check out the full recap from the event over on my Instagram!
Glad you had this wonderful experience. 💓