FitnessWorkouts

14 New Year’s Eve Meditation and Yoga Classes You Can Stream Online

Never has a year been so collectively despised than 2020; here, New Year's Eve meditations and yoga flows you can utilize to see it off with serenity.

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Photo: Getty Images
Published Dec 31, 2020

Written by 

Erin Bunch

Much like just about everything else this year, New Year’s Eve is going to look pretty different than it usually does as we all try to stay socially distanced at the pandemic’s peak. And even if you typically opt to quietly watch the ball drop from home on December 31, the feeling of the end of this year is likely to be distinct from that of any before it; it’s pretty safe to bet that most of us have a lot riding on the hope that 2021 is going to be much better than 2020 in every way possible.

As such, this New Year’s Eve is shaping up to be more introspective than usual, and many of us are planning to lean heavily into the restorative practices that’ve seen us through the last nine months as the curtain closes on 2020 at long last. Mindfulness, quietude, and gentle movement will supplement or even supplant champagne as we all steel ourselves for what’s left of COVID-19’s challenges, while simultaneously allowing ourselves to envision a happier path ahead. If you’re looking to partake in a yoga flow, meditation, or combination of the two that’s specifically oriented towards letting go, looking forward, and setting positive intentions for the new year this December 31, there are a number to choose from.

New Year’s Eve Yoga Flows

1. “Yoga for New Beginnings” from Yoga with Adriene

YouTube yoga superstar Adriene Mishler—who’s been creating a ton of mental health-focused content this year, including the uber-popular “Yoga for When You Feel Dead Inside” flow—will be releasing an 18-minute practice on December 31 specifically geared towards turning the page on 2020. It’s free.

2. “90-Minute Flow Into The New Year” with Kathryn Budig on Glo

On the Glo fitness platform, popular yogi Kathryn Budig will be leading a level two 90-minute flow that’ll set just the right tone for sloughing off the weight of 2020 and moving into the relative light of 2021. This flow requires a Glo membership, but free trials are available.

3. “Releasing 2020 New Year’s Eve Event” Restorative Yoga and Meditation with Nicole Havelka

Nicole Havelka is certified in many types of meditation and also specializes in restorative and trauma-sensitive yoga. This New Year’s Eve, she’ll be hosting a two-hour event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST aimed at releasing 2020 and setting intentions for 2021. It will include both restorative yoga and meditation practices. Tickets are $20-$60.

4. “New Beginnings Yoga” at Stråla Yoga

This locally-beloved New York City-based studio will be offering a “new beginnings” flow at 10 p.m. EST to stretch, strengthen, and inhale/exhale your way into 2021. Stråla Yoga is membership-based, and is free for seven days and then $19.99 per month thereafter.

5. New Year’s Eve class with Donna Rubin at bodē nyc

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At 10 p.m. EST, bodē nyc studio co-founder Donna Rubin will lead a 60-minute flow followed by a 15-minute yoga nidra meditation to seal off 2020 and welcome in the new year.

6. “Savasana into the New Year” with Kristin Bilella at mang’Oh Yoga

This event, which will stream from 8pm to 10 p.m. EST, will include a “letting go” ceremony and vinyasa flow followed by a deep Savasana to help ease both mind and body into the new year. It’s led by yoga instructor Kristin Biellla and costs $25.

New Year’s Eve Meditations

1. “Resolve to Evolve” from Yoga with Adriene 

Mishler is also offering a 10-minute meditation on her YouTube channel this December 31, which will be geared toward the resolution behind most of our more specific yearly resolutions: self-evolution. (Maybe this year, we can resolve to evolve as a species, too?) It’s free.

2. New Year’s Eve meditations with Kelsey Patel on PureJoy

LA-based Reiki master and wellness expert Kelsey Patel is launching her new app, PureJoy, on December 31. That day, she’ll offer two different events; the first is a clearing, healing, and grounding meditation and then second is focused around intention setting. The first week on PureJoy is free.

3. “Charting Your Course for 2021” with Heather Hayward at Unplug Meditation

LA-based meditation studio Unplug Meditation is offering a New Year’s Eve event with life coach and meditation teacher Heather Hayward. It will stream from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PST and include guided journaling, meditating, and intention-setting. It’s $40.

4. “Release 2020 and Embrace 2021—Mind, Body, and Soul” with Shayna Hiller at Unplug Meditation

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The studio will also host an event from 10 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. PST that will focus on helping you zero in on the things you want to leave behind from 2020 and bring into your life in 2021. It will involve journaling, dynamic meditation with breath and movement, and a sound bath. It’s $45.

5. “Ready to Take On What Is To Come Meditation” with Kadam Morten

The Kadampa Meditation Center in New York City will be live-streaming a 90-minute meditation held from 10:30 p.m. to midnight EST. It’s to be hosted by meditation teacher Kadam Morten, who says the focus will be on letting go of any tension and unhappiness built up in 2020 in order to enter 2021 refreshed, fortified, and open to what’s to come next. It’s $20.

6. New Year’s Eve Meditation with Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Sahaja Yoga is a unique form of meditation that is well-suited to all levels, even beginners. Their New Year’s Eve practice will stream at 9:45 p.m. EST, with some virtual socializing scheduled for the end of the session. It’s free.

7. “Silence and Celebration: A New Year’s Eve Retreat and Party (Online)” at Shambhala Los Angeles

If you’re looking for an intensive meditation experience on December 31, this may be it. From 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. PST, LA’s Shambhala meditation center will offer an online retreat consisting of two different Zoom rooms. One will be the “Silence Room,” where ongoing meditations will be held, and the other will be the “Celebration Room,” to be utilized for socializing with the community. All levels are welcome, and the price is $20.

8. New York Insight’s Annual New Year’s Eve Gathering and Celebration

Insight’s virtual New Year’s Eve event runs from 8:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. and will include meditations, chanting, intention-setting, socializing, and a “surprise” ending. It’s $15-$35.

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Food

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

photo of growers transporting many sumo citrus for review
Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative
Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With 

Sumo Citrus

Written by 

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

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Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was. 

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

sumo citrus with purple sticker

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith. 

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores. 

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I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.

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