Keep calm and practice yoga...

Wow, a lot has happened since my last blog post! Life, as we know it, has turned completely on its head. COVID-19 brought out the worst, and best in people. Apart from the devastating effect on actually getting the virus, lots of small businesses are affected and worried, small yoga studios included. However, something extraordinary is happening - we're looking at doing yoga differently. Lots of online events are springing up with teachers continuing to offer great yoga classes, albeit in a new and innovative ways. People are looking at Zoom, Facebook video chat etc to continue to support their clients. Look out for events run by Rose Ann McKean (www.yogarose.co.uk) and Judi Farrell (www.merchantcityyoga.com)

Although like most people, I'm still trying to get my head around all of this, I know one thing for sure. People who are self-isolating, or like me keeping their heads down(!), will still need to keep active. Home yoga practice is a great way to keep your body, and perhaps more importantly your mind healthy. Maybe this is an (enforced) opportunity to develop a daily practice. If you're new to yoga, I've curated some great short videos to get you started on my Facebook page.

It's natural to be concerned about everything that's going on. However, we do need to pay attention to our mental health at this time. I've heard of people developing OCD in relation to hand washing, particularly children. Those prone to Anxiety/ Depressive illness have a brand new set of worries to challenge them. Doing yoga is a fantastic tool to help keep yourself, and your family, on an even keel.

In addition to physical yoga practice, like the Sun Salutations, there are other aspects which are also important, like Pranayama (breath-work), Meditation, Yoga Nidra ("sleeping" yoga where you go into really deep meditative state). I must confess I hear the words "welcome to yoga nidra..." and I'm away to sleep, but it's a work in progress!

There are lots of examples to listen to on YouTube. I'll collate a few and add to Facebook as well.

Above all else, it's important to stay connected - with family, friends and your yoga community if you're already a practitioner. If anyone's out there feeling lonely, feel free to drop me a message on the site. I might not be about, but I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Yoga Journal describes the yoga Yamas (restraints) and Niyamas (observances) as: "The five yamas ask practitioners to avoid violence, lying, stealing, wasting energy, and possessiveness, while the five niyamas ask us to embrace cleanliness and contentment, to purify ourselves through heat, to continually study and observe our habits, and to surrender to something greater than ourselves."

Personally, I can't think of any better path through our current difficulties than this. Stay safe out there!

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