This past weekend I completed the second module in the Diploma in Yoga Therapy I’m studying for at The Minded Institute. It’s a 580-hour professional training course with accreditation from the BCYT (British Council for Yoga Therapy) and National Council of Integrated Psychotherapists (NCIP), and all being well, I should qualify in early 2025. However, each module teaches me so much that I’m super keen to begin integrating into my current teaching, so you may well notice new things popping into classes fairly frequently!
One of the most amazing things that I’ve found through my own personal experience with yoga is the powerful transformation that can be accessed in terms of mental health. As many friends and clients know, I have struggled with mental health for many years, with the lowest point being in 2018 when I had to leave my job as a sixth-form teacher because of my depression and anxiety. At that point I started practising more frequently than I ever had* (over three times a week) and the effects were astounding.
I’d always been doing the things you’re meant to- walks in nature with the dog; keeping busy; even more vigorous exercise; spending time with beloved family and friends- but nothing gave me more than a temporary boost before I wanted to stare at the wall again, or worse. Until yoga.
Science shows that the unique combination of movement, mindfulness, and breath work mean that yoga can offer something that few other activities do, increasing vagal nerve tone, allowing us to switch more easily between sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”, aroused state) and parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” relaxation state). This applies even in people who are chronically stressed and whose nervous systems struggle to leave the sympathetic state, making it difficult for them to relax. As a result, we can begin to lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol in the system; we can lower heart rate and blood pressure, and we can improve oxygenation in the blood by taking longer inhales and using the diaphragm more effectively- which also helps with parasympathetic activation. Because chronic stress has a number of negative impacts on the physical body as well as the mind, techniques which help to alleviate its effects are super useful for many of us. I’m happy to talk (lots) more about this, so if you want to take the risk getting me evangelical about yoga, please drop me a line in the comments!
Upcoming Yin-Yang Flow Workshop
On Saturday 1st July at 2:30pm, I’m planning a 90-minute session in Frampton Village Hall exploring the benefits of sympathetic arousal followed by parasympathetic activation.
What does that mean, I hear you cry?
Well, in practical terms we’ll flow through some sun salutations and strong standing postures, working hard to generate some endorphins, before soothing our nervous systems with some gentle restorative poses and a deep guided meditation/relaxation. You’ll raise a sweat, but then be nurtured and coddled with bolsters and blankets, and feel supported to find deep, nourishing rest. I hope to leave you feeling calm, relaxed, and essentially blissed-out.
If this sounds appealing, message me directly to book a spot. It’s £15 for the 90 minutes, and you’ll need to bring a blanket with you but everything else will be provided. Wear something comfortable- probably layers, even if it’s warm, because you might cool down quickly once you stop moving. There are nine remaining places available.
An important footnote:
*Shoutout here to Courtenay Pipkin at Warrior and Wild yoga studio in Nailsworth. In early 2019, I took up her ’30 days for £30′ offer, and then approached her to explain that as I wasn’t working, I couldn’t afford the standard rate for classes. I told her that while I was visiting my sister in Newcastle, Australia, I learned about ‘karma cleaning’ at the studio she practised at. This was a weekly shift cleaning the studio, and in return my sister got an unlimited class pass. Courtenay took this idea on and allowed me to do the same thing, and I know she continued it for another low-income person once I had started work again. It was thanks to her that I was able to practise so frequently at that time, and as a result understand what benefit yoga was to me, see such improvements in my mental health, and ultimately decide to train as a teacher. She also provided one of my references for the teacher training course, and I’m eternally grateful to her.
