ISO Yoga Life

Well life in isolation has played out in completely different ways for everyone..but for me it has been a quiet journey. Having just returned home from 18 months travelling, I had not yet found my next right job..and when the virus unleashed pandemonium I definitely freaked out. I had not expected to be going without a “regular” income for this long…and now it seemed it was going to be another 6 months or potentially even longer. But more than that, alone in the house all day, it was the quiet daytime hours that felt strange and I definitely went through what in hindsight was a completely predictable rollercoaster of emotions.

All the talk of people getting sick and dying; others losing their jobs and businesses; and the general panic around what this all meant and how long it would go on for definitely left me feeling anxious at times. And in fact, while I am usually a very positive and practical person, I would be lying if I said that I was ok. That said, I realised pretty quickly that if I indulged in too much news and certain social media posts, I was going to end up a frazzled mess. So when an opportunity to partner with an incredible wholefood nutrition product and a holistic health program came up, I jumped at it. This is not the kind of idea I would have ever indulged before, but aside from the potential to begin building an income online, this offered me a community of welcoming and positive people, access to learning and something genuinely positive and constructive to focus my energy on. And as I plugged into the training and connected with the other people in this business, I realised that this was truly a great decision. Regardless of the income outcomes, it was giving my inner extravert the connection it so desperately needed and a sense that I could contribute to people’s wellbeing.

And in the midst of that, I realised that there were countless people all of a sudden existing almost entirely within their own 4 walls and missing out on all the incidental exercise that they might normally get. Personally, while the weather was lovely I was doing well in that department.. I was taking advantage of the beautiful green spaces nearby and walking or jogging for a couple of hours a day, listening to music or audiobooks. Those hours were truly filled with joy actually…I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so aware of the real impact of fresh air and sunshine on my well being.

However, despite all of that, my yoga practice suffered. As much as want to, I don’t actually have a strong home practice, but much prefer to go to a really good class. While yoga is deeply personal for me and a time where I really focus inward, there is something about being in the room with other yogis and the shared experience that really adds something for me… Soon enough I realised that there were others who felt the same as I began to receive requests to teach some yoga.

Most of you probably don’t know this about me, but yoga has actually been part of my life for over 15 years. But it is really in the last 6 years or so, that it shifted from simply being a nice physical practice that felt good to even out the running into something much more. And at risk of sounding like a crazy person – yoga changed my life. I don’t think I can explain how it happened, but it was like it reconnected me back to myself just a little bit at a time..until I finally realised that something big had shifted. All those tiny moments added up to the realisation that I knew what I needed. That I was worthy of receiving it. And that I could choose to make it happen.

So here we are, and after receiving multiple requests over the past couple of months..I finally decided to go ahead and launch some online yoga classes here! In my last post “Silver Linings” I talked about the fact that I was building a business of my own – and this forms part of that. This is one element in the plan to help everybody to live their best lives through 3 key areas:
1.LIVE: Health, nutrition, wellness and yoga to help you live your life with vitality
2.LOVE: Social enterprise to support those working tirelessly to help others, in order that they have a chance to live their best lives too (I’m very happy to say that this is now up and running as well – check it out here!)
3.TRAVEL: Travel and volunteering – information and opportunities.. because once this pandemic is over and we are free to move around again, this undoubtedly contributes to my definition of living my best life.

I won’t lie..this has made me nervous. Nervous of all the tech fails coming..and nervous to put myself out there like this.. For me yoga is very personal. But I also know it is incredibly healing and we could all use a little bit of that right now. So I launched quietly a couple of weeks ago and I’m gradually building the confidence to go bigger..and hence this post. It is time to tell the world..and also to put it out there to keep myself accountable to continue even when it feels a little intimidating.

I am starting with small classes – up to 5 people – so we can all be comfortable to have videos on and help create the sense that we are all in the room together. I’m not sure about you but  I’ve never been a fan of the pre-recorded youtube videos and I think honestly there’s enough of those out there, so this is for those of us missing the connection of the yoga classroom. I am also keeping the classes short at this stage – just 45 minutes – in the hope that those who are super busy and probably need this most, can find the time to join in. I’ve had a number of requests from people who are new to yoga or like the idea but haven’t tried it before, so classes will be a slow flow suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience. In time, if there is demand for it I may also add some stronger, more advanced classes to cater to those who have prior yoga experience, are familiar with the postures and are looking to be challenged a little more.

I am also keenly aware that this situation has affected everyone differently, both emotionally and financially, so for a limited time, I will be running these classes on a donation basis. Pay what you can, if you can.

So, I have absolutely no doubt that my classes will not be perfect. They will not be a shiny, glossy youtube video edited to instagram-worthy perfection. But they will be real. And in my own imperfect way, I hope that I can share the love I have for this incredible practice with you. On the off chance that you feel like this could be for you, then check out the link below and book yourself in! And if you can’t find a time that suits you, the one you want is booked out, or you’d rather arrange something one-on-one, then just drop me a line and we can work something out.

www.livelovetravelalways.com/yoga-classes/

I can’t wait to see you on your mat soon!
Kate xx