Yoga beyond the screen
How in-person classes can stretch you out of your comfort zone
A few weeks back I taught a wonderful collaboration with Elevated Pilates - it was a yoga/ reformer pilates fusion class followed by a shared lunch.
What it reminded me of is how much more quickly and easily we can make connections with people out in the real world. In that one lovely morning, I caught up with a couple of old friends who joined the class, had a heart-to-heart with a new friend about the joys of self-employment, got a load of great recommendations for holiday destinations with a toddler and laughed a lot.
I’m a huge fan of online yoga - it’s so convenient, accessible and it’s pretty easy to find a class for whatever your mood or needs at the time. But I connected more with people in that one morning than I have done in months of going to classes online.
What makes in-person yoga so special?
To my mind, there are a few elements:
You feel part of a community.
It opens up opportunities for connection and conversation.
It’s easier to get immersed in your practice.
And harder to get distracted by your phone/ child/ a knock at the door.
It’s a commitment - to yourself and to doing the work of the class.
Since being reminded of the joys of in-person yoga (and non-yoga!) experiences, I made the effort to get to a real life yoga class this week and I really enjoyed it. Yes, it meant taking a bigger chunk out of my day, and yes, it wasn’t logistically as easy as rolling out my yoga mat and switching on my laptop. But it got me out of my self-practice rut, it challenged me to move in a new way, and crucially, it made me leave the house and step into a different physical space after a long day working from home.
So my intention, and my invitation to you, is to get out more. Even better if you do that alongside other people with similar aims. Take a break from the online world and try a yoga class, a reformer pilates class (I can recommend Elevated Pilates!) or a running club. Surely it has to beat staring at a screen for another hour…
A new idea… join me?
Given my recent revelation that in-person is brilliant, I’m wondering about setting up a small “Yoga Jam” group to practise together in Beeston. It would be led rather than taught, so ideal if you already know your way around a yoga mat and just want some regular company and motivation to practise. I’m early in my thinking about this, but hit “reply” to this email if you’re interested and you’ll be first to know once I figure the next bit out!
Things to practise, read and enjoy:
Currently practising: This is a great one for runners, hikers, cyclists and anyone else who moves a lot: Yoga for Runners with Fiji McAlpine
Currently reading: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - I’m part enjoying this, part finding it very upsetting, and part feeling intimidated by the fact I’ve been reading it all week and I’m still only 8% through it… anyone who’s finished, I’d love to know whether I should persevere?!
Currently listening to: Van Life playlist on Spotify - all the summer vibes.
Today’s newsletter was sponsored by Elevated Pilates in Beeston.
