I love this image, it suggests “hugge”, the Nordic concept of conviviality or winter comfort. This feeling of comfort is exactly what we need right now.
Having a bright, cool day where we can go out for a walk is amazing. Even if it’s cold, coming home to a hot drink and then snuggling up on the couch with cushions and blankets is a real hug.
Except most of us are in lockdown and can’t travel to find a nice walk. The weather has been very humid and we’ve all become a little too familiar with our sofas in 2020!
We could take care of ourselves to find comfort. I’ve heard a lot about it recently on social media. From what I can gather, you do this by watching TV, eating too much, and exercising little. It’s not huge. This is the worst thing we can do from a physical, mental and emotional health perspective.
We have to move. Yoga is the perfect way to do this from the comfort and safety of our home. Personally, I like a stronger style of yoga, like Ashtanga, which we practice (almost recently) at yoga rose. The harder I work, the better I feel.
With yoga, if you can control the breath, you can control the body. If you can control the body, you can control the mind and we could do anything with a little of that right now. I skipped a day of training last week. The negative effect on my overall well-being was almost immediate – even my husband noticed it!
Although Ashtanga can be challenging, it can provide many benefits including: being more balanced and grounded, deeper breathing, flexibility and a stronger physical body.
Meditating after my practice is much more effective than trying to meditate at another time. It’s almost as if I have conditioned my body, ready to support my mind in its “training”. Meditation can bring focus and calm (sometimes!) and allow you to be in the moment rather than worrying about what will happen next.
After finishing my practice, I always feel much better, even though it was an internal struggle to get on the mat at first. Sometimes I feel like I’m floating in my practice, other times it’s a little harder. However, I always arrive at the end of my practice happy to have made the effort.
Every class always ends with my favorite moment: yoga hugs. Otherwise known as Savasana.
Gaenor Aitken Guest blogger