Category: Socially Distant

These days I dream of walking into the dimly lit studio, find blocks, roll out my mat. I take long slow breaths and stretch out in eager anticipation of the journey in front of me. I lie down to relax and make sure I fully arrive in this calm space. I work through the asanas, making the best of it.

Today most of my yoga is at home due to the pandemic. I continue my practice as I have grown to love yoga, the slow movements from one asana to the next, holding the asana and feeling how the strength of my muscles counterbalance the ligaments’ stretch, developing muscles while increasing flexibility. It is a slow advance, some days my balance or strength seems to have left me; I struggle and work through what might have been easy a week ago. On other days, everything comes together and I can push even further. Even the challenging days deliver a feeling of calm fulfillment having used my body to the best of my ability.

YOGA ACROSS NINE TIME ZONES – MAY 2020

Today’s COVID-19 reality presents challenges, disappointments, anxieties, and stresses for many, but isolation can also provide opportunities. My opportunity is a deep dive into yoga and learning more about anatomy and cues to advance the poses.

I instruct yoga online with participants in nine different time zones in five cities: Copenhagen, London, Sacramento, Chicago, and Washington DC. Although we are all in the same self-isolated situation, teaching across nine time zones creates a surreal environment, while being in similar poses some of us just woke up, some just finished lunch, and others are ready for dinner. It has been an amazing opportunity to get to know new people and strengthen my relationships with old friends and family.

This experiment in socially distant yoga taught me a lot about my practice and effective online yoga. Cues need to be very detailed and precise as the practitioners only see my movements on a small screen. Online yoga can also create delays in feedback, as I look at the screen the participants might be stuck in the prior assena. “Am I too fast? Should I slow down?” No, it’s just the internet causing a digital delay. Then one participant holds a position for an extended time.  “Wow, that is amazing! Or did I forget to give them a cue?” A split second later, as if in a weird Matrix sequel they are in another position– apparently, the internet froze for a moment. After the lesson, we check in with each other and share feedback, laughter and the kind of deep connection yoga can bring, even online. It has been a delightful experience.

The participants work hard, bring different levels of experience and something special to the mat. I am grateful for their participation in this experiment and the commitment to meet online has provided some structure to our days.

I hope you will find your opportunity to advance something in this new reality of ours. If you need a yoga break, join me in socially distant yoga! Email me from my contact page and I will forward a link.

Namaste,