Take it to the mat? I'll take it ‘tinternet

With the outbreak of Covid-19, uncertainty, panic, and fear are rife - predominantly for our physical health and wellbeing and that of our families and loved ones.

As an experienced yoga teacher, I see many hundreds of people who come along to their yoga mat for a variety of different reasons, not just for physical health and fitness. A vast number come along to my classes to alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness. They seek connection, community and like-minded people to spend time with. Countless times I witness people leaving my studio in almost the exact opposite state they arrived in

• The stressed out, frazzled mum leaves looking serene.

• The busy professionals in the care and teaching industries leave looking peaceful.

• The dear souls struggling with their own personal demons leave with a smile on their face and their shoulders looking less-weighted

Yoga classes are not a luxury pastime for the majority of people. They are for many, a sanctuary of space and calm in their own busy headspace.

As of this evening, the Prime Minister of the UK has advised that people should avoid "non-essential” travel and contact with others in an attempt to curb the control of the Coronavirus. Sadly, the death toll of the UK alone has tonight reached 55.

This is beyond sadness for all of us.

We will do what we can to prevent the illness affecting our physical wellbeing and battle against the virulence of this debilitating contagion.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Follow the advice of the experts.

✨ Click here for the NHS advice and here for the UK government response and guidelines. ✨

Care for the vulnerable

This means looking out for elderly neighbours, friends or family that may be poorly or more susceptible. You can help by taking care of their pets, preparing nutritious meals for them or offering to go shopping for them etc. Of course - as much as you can help it, do not put yourself at risk of exposure - for example, leave shopping bags at their front door. Check in on them with telephone or video calls.

Sack the panic buying!!!

I understand it, I really do, but what about the family on a limited budget who only have enough money for the items they need that week? The little old man who can only visit the one shop that’s on his bus route and finds all the shelves empty. Come on people - we’re all needy at the moment!

Stay calm and grounded

I know, this is sometimes easier said than done. I know it. I also know the power of negative thought patterns that can begin as tiny smidge and given attention and space to grow, these thoughts turn into huge, massive dark thoughts that in turn cloud our every day judgement. I have some short guided meditations on my podcast that might prove helpful. I will be uploading more in the coming weeks.

Little is known about this awful virus and we can be sure that scientists are working around the clock to learn more about it, as are the wonderful people in the medical services, putting their own lives at risk to care for the sick.

Currently, we are being advised, among other things, to

• sip water (so I understand, the virus can be present in the throat for a period, sipping water may flush it into the stomach where it will be destroyed by digestive acids)

• practice good hygiene - keep your hands clean, keep your hands away from your face, keep your homes clean.

• to keep away from people

This last point is awful. During such challenging times, we’re reminded that we are social animals and we need social interaction, touch, and closeness.

As mentioned above, I know how much we need yoga in our lives, now more than ever before.

I have said publicly that my yoga studio will remain open for as long as the schools are, but to be honest, as a single parent, I’m getting pretty nervous about my children getting sick or me getting sick and being unable to care for my boys. I will be sensible and close my doors as soon as I feel I need to.

Already the global effects of the virus on the economy have had huge ramifications for my life. What is a reality now, is that it will also have ramifications for the business that I have nurtured and grown lovingly.

The stark reality is that as a self-employed businesswoman, this pandemic may also cause irrevocable damage or death to my business.

Thank you, Gemma, this has become a mantra for me over the last couple of days.

And 'get fucking creative' I will, because I believe in the power of the value that I can offer during this state of confusion for so many - myself included.

A few years back, someone put a seed of an idea in my mind about offering remote yoga classes for the multitude of people that work from home or for themselves (thanks Laura!). People like me who are so passionate about providing a service that they sometimes put their own self-care to the back of the to-do list. I didn’t quite get around to my plans; life got in the way. But now life is shouting at me to do something.

I HAVE LAUNCHED A YOGA CLASS SPECIFICALLY TO HELP PEOPLE MANAGE THE FALLOUT FROM CORONAVIRUS

and I have priced it as affordably as I can because I want it to be accessible for as many as possible.

As a qualified yoga teacher and empath, I have found my vocation in life. I finally know what I want to do when I’m a grown-up and that is to help people. To serve. I’m good at what I do and I offer value to lots and lots of people with my yoga offerings. I know this because I’m humbled when they tell me with every sincerity.

I want to keep helping people and I know that now, more than ever, we need it.

We need community.

We need connection.

We need physical and emotional resilience.

We need movement and stillness.

We need to learn to accept our current reality and how to interrupt negative and detrimental thought processes.

We need empowerment.

I can offer that with my heart. And I AM offering that.

REMOTE YOGA CLASSES WITH LEE-ANN

There really is no substituting a real-live group class but needs must. Remote Yoga Classes with Lee-ann is a private Facebook group - perfect for you if you cannot attend classes at my studio in Hucknall because of

• your working schedule

• family commitments

• you live too far away

• you are social distancing (avoiding group gatherings)

   

During each class, I will be on my own mat for around 60mins and the practice will be suitable for all abilities. As always, within my classes, I will offer variations of poses, and each class will finish with a period of relaxation to help you feel centred and grounded.

You can join me in real-time during these videos, but I'm just as happy for you to watch and practice at a time that suits you or even to practice more than once a week.

Planet Earth is feeling the weight of this catastrophe and it is in desperate need of healing. We all have a part to play to making this situation better. From my mat in my own home to your mat in yours, I offer you

✨ Community

✨ Connection

✨ Empowerment

✨ Resilience

✨ Calm

I really hope that you can join me.

Sincerely, thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. I know there’s a lot of negative language out there. I truly hope it has offered some value for you and it may have given you some food for thought. Use the buttons below ⬇️ to get social.

Share, like, comment, forward - all that good stuff to build community and connection with someone else who might enjoy reading this perspective. Stay kind, stay happy, stay healthy 🙏🏼

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