Latest news with #LettingGo
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Novak Djokovic on Sleep, Wellness, and Living Longer
At Amanruya, Novak Djokovic doesn't so much arrive as he appears. Sun-kissed, sinewy, and swathed in serene energy, he moves through the property not like a man checking into a wellness retreat, but like someone who's just emerged from one: spiritually exfoliated, energetically alkaline, and positively glowing. And he has every right to be. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, spiritual seeker, father, and Aman global wellness ambassador is now playing his most elegant long game yet: redefining what high-performance living actually looks like. (Spoiler alert: it involves frankincense, tree hugging, and a sea-facing massage.) 'There's something about Aman,' Djokovic tells me, his voice low and even, a kind of vocal yoga. 'You arrive and your nervous system just…lets go. I've been to so many places, but there's an energy to this one that feels sacred.' We're huddled under a pergola in his suite sitting across from one another as the Aegean Sea shimmers in the distance and cedar trees sway in the breeze. It's a scene so idyllic, so tonally Aman, that if he offered me a pressed juice and asked me to recite my intentions, I might just do it. When I ask how clothing plays into his rhythm—on and off the court—Djokovic leans in, half amused, half philosophical. 'I do think about it,' he says. 'When you're in the public eye—in front of cameras, representing your sponsors, your team, your country—there's an unspoken language in how you show up. I feel most myself in sporting gear or smart casual. Clean. Comfortable. No distractions.' And scent? If his tennis game were a perfume, I ask, what would it smell like? He smiles. 'Frankincense on a good day. Cinnamon bark if it's aggressive.' Sometimes citrus. Sometimes lavender. The man is a walking apothecary of intention. 'It depends on how I want to feel,' he adds. 'The oils help me shift energy.' A bespoke Djokovic essential oil blend is, let it be said—a billion-dollar idea waiting to happen. Novak's commitment to wellness goes far beyond the spa. It's in his breathwork, his books (he recently reread Letting Go and dipped into his wife Jelena's soon-to-be-released memoir), and his cheeky confession that yes—he hugs trees. 'My family thinks I'm crazy,' he laughs. 'But there's real science in the grounding. Nature is the ultimate healer.' He swims in the sea to recover. He prays. He rises with the sun. And when asked what's on his 'wellness playlist,' he doesn't mention music—instead, he cites a sauna, a Regenesis pod, and a hydration chamber. Somewhere in Los Angeles, Gwyneth Paltrow is taking notes. If Aman is synonymous with stillness, then Novak is its most elegant disruptor—bringing movement into the equation, with a new kind of grace. His collaboration with Aman Essentials—including the recent Tennis Club concept—surprised even him. 'When I first heard Aman was entering the tennis world, I was curious,' he admits. 'But it makes perfect sense. It's not about fashion. It's about feeling good in your body and living with intention.' Their shared value? Self-respect. Not in the form of ego, but care—how you feed yourself, how you move, and how you rest. 'Aman understands this,' he says. 'It's not just about luxury. It's about harmony.' As we talk about his upcoming Aman retreat, I ask him to describe his ideal day of self-care. No cameras. No rankings. Just sunrise to moonlight, on his terms. He begins, of course, with sleep. 'A good night's sleep is everything.' Then: hydration, prayer, breathwork. Movement. Nature. A beach swim or a mountain hike—'[it] depends on the season.' Family time. A proper sauna-steam-ice-massage circuit. And a sunset dinner with relaxing music and 'good, clean food.' The vibe? Warm and restorative. 'People think wellness is complicated,' he says, sinking deeper into his seat. 'But it's really about remembering who you are—and returning to that. Again and again.' Novak Djokovic, ladies and gentlemen: tennis legend, tree whisperer, and—dare we say it—our new favorite wellness guru. You Might Also Like The 15 Best Organic And Clean Shampoos For Any And All Hair Types 100 Gifts That Are $50 Or Under (And Look Way More Expensive Than They Actually Are)
Elle
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Novak Djokovic on Sleep, Wellness, and Living Longer
At Amanruya, Novak Djokovic doesn't so much arrive as he appears. Sun-kissed, sinewy, and swathed in serene energy, he moves through the property not like a man checking into a wellness retreat, but like someone who's just emerged from one: spiritually exfoliated, energetically alkaline, and positively glowing. And he has every right to be. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, spiritual seeker, father, and Aman global wellness ambassador is now playing his most elegant long game yet: redefining what high-performance living actually looks like. (Spoiler alert: it involves frankincense, tree hugging, and a sea-facing massage.) 'There's something about Aman,' Djokovic tells me, his voice low and even, a kind of vocal yoga. 'You arrive and your nervous system just…lets go. I've been to so many places, but there's an energy to this one that feels sacred.' We're huddled under a pergola in his suite sitting across from one another as the Aegean Sea shimmers in the distance and cedar trees sway in the breeze. It's a scene so idyllic, so tonally Aman, that if he offered me a pressed juice and asked me to recite my intentions, I might just do it. When I ask how clothing plays into his rhythm—on and off the court—Djokovic leans in, half amused, half philosophical. 'I do think about it,' he says. 'When you're in the public eye—in front of cameras, representing your sponsors, your team, your country—there's an unspoken language in how you show up. I feel most myself in sporting gear or smart casual. Clean. Comfortable. No distractions.' And scent? If his tennis game were a perfume, I ask, what would it smell like? He smiles. 'Frankincense on a good day. Cinnamon bark if it's aggressive.' Sometimes citrus. Sometimes lavender. The man is a walking apothecary of intention. 'It depends on how I want to feel,' he adds. 'The oils help me shift energy.' A bespoke Djokovic essential oil blend is, let it be said—a billion-dollar idea waiting to happen. Novak's commitment to wellness goes far beyond the spa. It's in his breathwork, his books (he recently reread Letting Go and dipped into his wife Jelena's soon-to-be-released memoir), and his cheeky confession that yes—he hugs trees. 'My family thinks I'm crazy,' he laughs. 'But there's real science in the grounding. Nature is the ultimate healer.' He swims in the sea to recover. He prays. He rises with the sun. And when asked what's on his 'wellness playlist,' he doesn't mention music—instead, he cites a sauna, a Regenesis pod, and a hydration chamber. Somewhere in Los Angeles, Gwyneth Paltrow is taking notes. If Aman is synonymous with stillness, then Novak is its most elegant disruptor—bringing movement into the equation, with a new kind of grace. His collaboration with Aman Essentials—including the recent Tennis Club concept—surprised even him. 'When I first heard Aman was entering the tennis world, I was curious,' he admits. 'But it makes perfect sense. It's not about fashion. It's about feeling good in your body and living with intention.' Their shared value? Self-respect. Not in the form of ego, but care—how you feed yourself, how you move, and how you rest. 'Aman understands this,' he says. 'It's not just about luxury. It's about harmony.' As we talk about his upcoming Aman retreat, I ask him to describe his ideal day of self-care. No cameras. No rankings. Just sunrise to moonlight, on his terms. He begins, of course, with sleep. 'A good night's sleep is everything.' Then: hydration, prayer, breathwork. Movement. Nature. A beach swim or a mountain hike—'[it] depends on the season.' Family time. A proper sauna-steam-ice-massage circuit. And a sunset dinner with relaxing music and 'good, clean food.' The vibe? Warm and restorative. 'People think wellness is complicated,' he says, sinking deeper into his seat. 'But it's really about remembering who you are—and returning to that. Again and again.' Novak Djokovic, ladies and gentlemen: tennis legend, tree whisperer, and—dare we say it—our new favorite wellness guru.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
‘Letting Go: A Story of Change and Transformation' – A Journey of Resilience, Self-Discovery, and Healing
- Book One in the 'Face Everything and Rise' Series - NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia, April 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In 'Letting Go: A Story of Change and Transformation' (ISBN: 978-1779628329), author Dan invites readers on a raw, powerful journey of self-discovery, resilience, and healing. This memoir isn't just a story of overcoming adversity but a testament to the strength of women who rise through life's challenges, finding their voice and purpose along the way. Born into a rich, diverse heritage – Indigenous, Thai, Burmese, North Vietnamese, French, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean – Dan's life has been a mosaic of cultures, shaped by her parents' escape from the Vietnam War and their migration to Australia. Growing up as the daughter of refugees, Dan learned early on the importance of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. Her matriarchal lineage, filled with strong, resilient women, was a guiding force through the most challenging times. In this first book of the Face Everything and Rise series, Dan unpacks the messiness of life, exploring how it's never a straight path, how setbacks are inevitable, and how strength isn't always about being perfect, but about showing up, step by step. She dives deep into the generational traumas that have shaped her, highlighting how women in her family fought to heal and transform, breaking cycles of pain to create new legacies of empowerment. Dan emphasizes that true healing starts within. By confronting childhood trauma, family wounds, and cultural scars, we free ourselves from the past. Letting Go is a memoir and a blueprint for those looking to heal, transform, and rise above their circumstances. 'It's about embracing who we are, mistakes and all,' says Dan. 'Healing isn't linear. We take it one step at a time, one day at a time, and move forward. The women in my life showed me that strength is built in the most unexpected ways.' About the Author Dan is a life & leadership coach, children's yoga instructor, model, artist, and a mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, friend, and sister. Her diverse heritage and the strength of her family's matriarchal line have been the bedrock of her journey. Through Letting Go, Dan shares her own story of transformation and empowerment, offering guidance for others to face their own struggles and rise. 'Letting Go' is a powerful read for anyone ready to face their fears, heal old wounds, and rise stronger than ever before. BOOK DETAILS: Title: 'Letting Go: A Story of Change and Transformation' Author: Dan Genre: Memoir Release Date: March 28, 2025 ISBN (Paperback): 9781779628329 ISBN (eBook): 9781779628336 Purchase Link: NEWS SOURCE: Author Dan ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) For more information, to schedule an interview with Dan, or for media inquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] ### Keywords: Books and Publishing, BOOK, Letting Go by DAN, NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125445 APNF0325A © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT.
The Guardian
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Give me a Beatles scream': inside Paul McCartney's surprise New York show
Yesterday, an announcement went out at noon: Paul McCartney would be playing a surprise pop-up show in New York City, tonight. Bear in mind, the last he played in the area, in June 2022, was at the nearby MetLife Stadium with its 82,000 capacity. But for this special engagement, just 575 people would come together to watch the music icon at the comparatively minuscule Bowery Ballroom. Naturally, tickets disappeared immediately, with stories of hopeful attendees physically running (yes, running!) down to the venue for box office-only sales. And lest you think Macca would use the opportunity to line his coffers, think again: tickets were sold for just $50 a pop, the price of a beer and a snack at most concerts. Doors opened at 5pm with a promised showtime at 6.30, with many attendees milling about, still bleary-eyed and in shock. Was this really about to happen? Perhaps it's some trick? A fellow writer I ran into stayed up all night working and assumed he was about to get some shuteye when he heard about the show. Sleep can wait. Perhaps the biggest irony for the audience was that for what would be such a little-seen show, it'd be the perfect set to record every aspect of it – but no luck: as wristbands were given out, everybody's phones were locked in pouches. By 6.20pm, the tiny space began to buzz and remixes of McCartney songs began playing over the loudspeaker to warm up the crowd. The venue was by no means packed: acts with barely any following have had more attendance in this particular venue. Among the crowd, ticket holders included Apple Music maven Zane Lowe and a host of lucky fans. A smattering of grey hair mixed with a healthy dose of gen Z faces peppered the crowd, proving McCartney's universal appeal. Then he appeared as the crowd screamed: dressed in navy slacks with a black corduroy jacket over a pinstripe blue shirt, donning a slight stubble and long hair, a buoyant energy from the start. Surrounding him was a seven piece band, including a three-piece horn section. This wasn't going to be a stripped-down set. Paul's guitar pick was in his mouth before switching to his hand, and he lifted his brown Höfner bass (could it be the one he was reunited with last year?). At 6.45pm, the familiar opening chord of A Hard Day's Night rang out into the venue, with McCartney hitting that Höfner just as he did on the original recording (it was Beatles bandmate George Harrison who handled lead guitar duties on that one, with McCartney keeping up the tradition tonight). Letting Go, a 1976 cut from his Wings Over America album, and Got to Get You Into My Life followed in quick succession. 'I can't quite believe we're here doing this. But we are here, doing this,' he said at one point. From there, McCartney in no way downsized his set or presence for the small venue, with the audience screaming, yelping and hanging on to every word. One of the major questions going into the surprise gig was: why? What was the point of all this? Was this to herald the start of a new era? Was it being filmed? Did they just want to put together a live rehearsal? Early on, he seemed to answer that query: 'So, here we are,' he said mischievously. 'Some little gig. New York. Why not?' Enough said, Paul. Interspersed in the music, he shared little stories: nothing earthshaking to serious fans of his work, but nonetheless compelling to hear them live. Before appropriately playing My Valentine considering the week, he talked about how that ballad was inspired by a soggy vacation with his late wife Linda. (What if it rained? She didn't care.) When he played the seminal Beatles classic From Me to You, McCartney discussed how in the early days of the band he tried to write more personal songs with specific 'I', 'me' and 'you' words, as if he was directly reaching out to the fans: Love Me Do, I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Saw Her Standing There, I Feel Fine. Halfway through his set, the band departed the stage, leaving McCartney solo in a spotlight with his acoustic guitar. He relayed a story of watching the Little Rock bus boycotts on TV back in England and writing Blackbird as a tribute to the civil rights movement. Later, he was set to play a gig down south with the Beatles but they were informed it was segregated, which the Fab Four thought was simply stupid. They wound up demanding the show be integrated and he heard years later a Black woman told him that gig was the first time she sat in an audience with white people. From there, McCartney said they 'wound up writing it into our contracts' to never play a segregated venue. With that, he played the familiar, luscious opening chords of Blackbird, a chill-inducing moment if there ever was one. He also couldn't help acknowledge his late friend John Lennon and how enamored his fallen frontman was with New York City. 'Let's hear it for John,' he said at one point as the crowd cheered and he played the Beatles' most recent song Now and Then, the recording of which won best rock performance at the Grammys earlier this month. Elsewhere he spoke about playing a gig in Kyiv, Ukraine, noting it was a joyful show full of freedom. 'Let's hope it gets back to that soon.' At a certain point the distinct smell of marijuana wafted into the air, which he also couldn't help but notice and said his guitar player has been sober for many years, but with the smell, McCartney joked now he'll 'have to call his sponsor'. The vigor of an arena show was on full display in performances of songs like Jet (with its distinctive horns) as well as an Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da sing-along with the audience (first guys, then girls). Then he sat at a piano to bring it all home: busting out passionate versions of Lady Madonna, Let It Be and Hey Jude. The audience wanted more, as someone yelled he should 'play all night'. Ever the realist, McCartney shook his head disapprovingly. But the joke was on us, as he came back out for an encore of Golden Slumbers and the Abbey Road ending of Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight and, fittingly, The End. 'And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make,' he sang into the microphone. Then the band took a bow and he and his band disappeared from the stage two hours after that first chord. The audience just stood there, some staring off into the distance processing what just happened. That sense of disbelief followed the crowd as they walked outside the doors and into the cold. On the street as snow was falling, a gaggle of news cameras and spectators huddled in front of the venue. It was a full-circle week, considering two days earlier was the 61st anniversary of the Beatles performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, which occurred uptown in this very same city. Decades may have passed, but whatever magic happened there that night remains. 'That was a Beatles scream!' McCartney said at one point after someone in the crowd reacted with a yelp. 'OK, let's get it out of the way. Girls, give me a Beatles scream.' But that wasn't the end of the surprise: McCartney is set to hit the stage at the Bowery again, tonight.
USA Today
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Paul McCartney gives once-in-a-lifetime show at surprise NY gig: Review and setlist
Paul McCartney gives once-in-a-lifetime show at surprise NY gig: Review and setlist Show Caption Hide Caption Beatles' bandmates McCartney, Starr perform classics during UK show Paul McCartney brought out Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr during his "Got Back Tour" stop in London. NEW YORK – Sometimes, even the larger-than-life Paul McCartney likes to scale things down. Arguably the most esteemed contemporary musician on the planet, McCartney stepped away from the stadiums that have been his playground for decades to enthrall a crowd of about 500 at the Bowery Ballroom Tuesday night. The surprise show was announced earlier that day, with tickets only available to purchase in-person at the box office and, as one might expect, sold-out in minutes. A few hours after the concert was announced, the fabled club on the Lower East Side of Manhattan – an unholy trifecta of grungy, elegant and cool that has witnessed many a megastar on its small stage – welcomed an icon among icons and his longtime band of ace players. The 100-minute set started with that guitar note, the one that even dogs can probably identify as 'A Hard Day's Night,' as a grinning McCartney gripped his left-handed bass and bobbed his head with the same enthusiasm of 60 years ago. At 82, McCartney was still a vision of graceful nonchalance in his fitted black jacket and crisp white shirt, hair grayed at the temples but still boyishly brushing the back of his collar. The intimate environment evoked memories of The Beatles' earliest gigs at the dank Cavern Club in Liverpool, and McCartney and his quartet generated high spirits and energy early with Wings' 'Letting Go.' 'I feel like letting go tonight! The Bowery! New York City! Yes, I do!' McCartney yelled after removing a pick from his mouth and leading the crowd in an overhead clap. Why was Paul McCartney playing at Bowery Ballroom, a small New York venue? If an artist of McCartney's stature opts to pop up for a tiny show, it usually is tied into a new release (see: The Rolling Stones promoting "Hackney Diamonds" at RacketNYC in 2023) or a tour announcement. But this night seemed to be solely about the musician, two days removed from a Super Bowl appearance in New Orleans and a little over a week after his 19th Grammy win, wanting to enjoy playing at a club like the ones that nurtured his career. 'So here we are, New York City,' McCartney said three songs into the night, later mentioning that he and his band had only rehearsed once the day before. 'Some little gigs. Why not?' No one needed more of an explanation when a few seconds later they kicked into the sumptuous 'Got To Get You Into My Life,' a mellifluous romp punctuated by the brass of the Hot City Horns nestled at the back of the stage. Paul McCartney taps into The Beatles, Wings and solo work at surprise New York show Though McCartney's voice occasionally sounded a bit gruff on the high notes, he also hit some beautiful ones. Behind his upright piano decorated with a kaleidoscope of colored streaks, he evoked a lounge vibe on 'My Valentine,' a song written for wife Nancy, and uncorked the ragged cries of devotion in 'Maybe I'm Amazed.' Following his urgent piano playing on 'Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five,' McCartney propped his elbow atop the piano and with chin resting on hand took a look around the cramped club. 'I can't believe we're here. But we are. We are here. Doing this,' he said. It's amazing that performing still provokes such a genuine response in him. The pristine sound at the Bowery matched with the band's intensity as they dabbled in many eras of McCartney magic, showcasing the cheerful bop of 'From Me to You' alongside Wings' escalating frolic 'Mrs. Vandebilt' (a song McCartney said was a favorite when they played it in Ukraine years ago) and a hushed 'Blackbird' spotlighting McCartney solo with an acoustic guitar. Following the poignant ballad, he told a story about The Beatles refusing to play in Jacksonville, Florida, when they learned the audience would be segregated. 'We put it in our contract that we would never play a segregated city (or venue),' he shared. A kinetic 'Get Back' ('Girls, give me a Beatles scream,' McCartney joked) and playful 'Obi-la-di, Ob-la-da' engaged a crowd that spanned generations. Paul McCartney pays tribute to John Lennon in concert On. Feb. 2, The Beatles won their first Grammy since 1997 for 'Now and Then' (best rock recording), a song McCartney and Ringo Starr deemed the last 'new' Beatles song cobbled from an old John Lennon demo and previously recorded George Harrison guitar and assembled with the help of artificial intelligence. More: Is the Beatles' 'Now and Then' about Paul McCartney? Is it really the last song? McCartney played the song Tuesday – a definite rarity – from behind his piano, with horns adding texture, Rusty Anderson handling the slide guitar solo and all of the band faithfully recreating the harmonies from the recording. 'Thank you, John,' McCartney said wistfully at song's end. 'New York City. He loved it so much here. Let's hear it for John!' After sweet renditions – and singalongs of the prayerful refrains – of 'Let it Be' and 'Hey Jude,' McCartney, Anderson, drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., keyboardist Paul 'Wix' Wickens and guitarist Brian Ray returned for an encore of his usual show-closer, the famed 'Abbey Road' medley of 'Golden Slumbers,' 'Carry That Weight' and 'The End.' The final line – 'the love you take is equal to the love you make' – was especially fitting as a lot of love left the Bowery and headed into a snowy night. Paul McCartney Bowery Ballroom setlist
