Lockdown Blues? Advice from pro Yogi's
- Loka Collective
- Aug 9, 2020
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 15, 2022
Managing one’s mental health is a lifelong practice.
With the rise in depression rates due to the unpredictable age of COVID, we reached out to a few Yogi’s throughout Australia for their insights.
Whether you’re into any form of fitness, Yoga, or spiritual activity, consistency and dedication to your practice is essential for both physical and mental well-being.
We had the pleasure of speaking with MELBOURNE Yogi and Senior Teacher, Larissa Gita Azar who works with the not-for-profit community organisation Yoga in Daily Life offering authentic Yoga and meditation throughout Melbourne for over 21 years, and currently offering a ‘pay as you feel’ system with their online classes during lock down.
We are also grateful to have connected with the very inspiring GOLD COAST Yogi, Nutritionist (BHSc Nut Med), owner and Yoga Retreat Host of Clarity Cleanse, Lyndal Benadretti. Lyndal teaches Vinyasa with a playful yet traditional foundation with plenty of options for newbies & a humble space for regular practitioners to grow & deepen. Her Yin classes encompass meridian theory & less dialogue where she allows students to immerse within without too much talking on her end.
Lyndal and Larissa both shared their incredible journey's with us and were kind enough to provide insights related to Yoga and mental health which we are very grateful for!
#1 With the world turned upside down & people forced to stay at home, what is your advice to students, and everyone else (who could be practising Yoga at home)?
LARISSA:
#1 Be kind. Kind to yourself and reach out to be kind to others.
Let love, not fear guide you. We don’t know every one’s story. Kindness is so important.
#2 Take time to evaluate what is important and put that in your daily routine. Do not try to fit these in around the loud demands of a competitive consumerist culture.
This crazy time is a good shake up for this kind of process thinking and reorganising.
"I love the notion going around that what we had before COVID was not normal and we should take the chance to not return to a society dominated by consumerism."
I loved how in the first lock down we appreciated slowing down. We focused on our relationships and recognised their importance in our lives. We connected with our own self-care and our inner passions.
We connected with the simple things and remembered the joy they bring, acknowledging that it is so good and that the attitude of bigger, better and more is totally overrated.
We recognised the huge value of our health care workers and teachers. I hope we don’t forget.
LYNDAL:
It’s times like these that will truly reveal a journey like no other. But life IS a journey. It will also perhaps reveal to us; those who are practicing & those who are not.
As we know - Yoga is not just an Asana practice. We are required to practice off the mat. In fact, that's part of the commitment!
It’s often challenging times like these when we hear excuses like “i don’t have time”, “i’ve just got too much on” and understandably, when life is running smoothly, our regular practice has no boundary?
It’s not often we hear “my life is peaceful, I must get to Yoga”
If you are suffering at the moment, where are you seeking refuge or support?
Meditation? Yoga? Ritual?
Or less nourishing methods of healing?
My advice would be to choose a method of daily practice and prioritise it!
Make sacrifices to ensure it happens (wake up earlier or reshuffle your schedule to make it work).
Commit to yourself knowing that you’ll grow & strengthen as a result.
It doesn't need to be an hour or 2 of Asana practice - it could be 10 mins of meditation & journaling.
I would recommend to those who can, to practice both yin & yang Yoga and at least 3 classes per week with a teacher you feel a connection with.
#2 How can Yoga help a negative mindset?
LYNDAL:
When it comes to negativity - what is feeding your negative mindset? Is it your community? daily routine? environment? What is contributing to the growth of unwholesome thoughts?
These are relevant questions to ask ourselves upon self reflection.
Yoga helps us to inquire WITHIN and really touch our source of discomfort rather than blame or point the finger at others for our circumstances.
It is more effective in my opinion to rewire our behaviour & mindset if we can establish what’s feeding our unwholesome thoughts? Yoga helps us to do this!
As Diane Nash says “there is a source of power within each of us that we don’t realise until we take responsibility”.
LARISSA:
To change anything, we must first want to.
We need to be aware it is like that, aware of its influence and want to change it.
An authentic Yoga practice (that is Asana + everything else) helps up develop that awareness.
It also helps us develop the tools and the compassion to make the changes that lead us into the life we wish for.
For example, let’s look at relaxation. How we understand and respond to our self and life from a relaxed state is completely different from a state of tension or stress.
I am stressed. I accidentally knock a glass of OJ off the table. I react. The inner dialogue explodes! More tension in the body and ugly words flying out of my mouth.
Blame it on someone else who stupidly put the glass to close to the edge. Or berating my useless good for nothing clumsy self. Drama. Poor relationship with myself and with others. Rigid. Limited perspective.
I am relaxed. I accidentally knock a glass of OJ off the table. I clean it up. The end.
Relaxation changes everything.
#3 If there is one thing you wish people understood about Yoga what would it be?
LARISSA:
Yoga is not about whether you can, or you can’t. It is about awareness. Yoga is about showing up, being consistent, open and honest.
Yoga is a practice of breaking down old conditioning that covers our true potential. It is about awakening and using the positive qualities with in us that help us fulfil our purpose in this life.
Often in class I will say:
“it doesn’t matter if you can our can’t. It is about going through the process and that’s where the benefits are”
It means:
a. That we do not limit ourselves by our critical, judging self-talk or inner doubts
b. Whether you can or cannot touch your toes does not matter. The effort you make to try gives you the stretch, shifts the energy, quietens the mind – see you still got all the benefits! Just do it
LYNDAL:
I would love people to understand that Yoga is a way of living. I often say “Yoga teaches us how to LIFE!”
It takes many years of practice to discover the deeper layers of ourselves.
So if you are new to Yoga or even if you regularly practice, continue with a completely open perspective!
Show up, ask your teacher questions when you have them & every time you step foot on your mat or cushion...
Forget everything you think you know and pretend it’s your first day at Yoga!
Also... your teacher is NEVER judging you for your flexibility! ;)
#4 What do you love most about teaching?
LYNDAL:
I love the energetic connection, I love observing the shift in energy throughout the phases of each class; Yin or Yang, I love witnessing students grow - but I also love learning from my students.
Their questions, feedback and commitment keeps me humble and human.
I find teaching regularly actually teaches me how to remain present - holding space during a class requires a level of stability & grounding from teacher to student.
With all this said though, as a teacher, I am forever a student.
Learning from my teachers & my own experiences; honoring the lineage & the never ending self discovery that follows.
LARISSA:
I love sharing.
I value the Yoga space where we are all accepted as we are. No competition, judgement or comparisons.
I am inspired by the magic of Yoga and what it gives to people.
#5 Can you provide an example of how Yoga has helped your students during this time with your online classes?
LYNDAL:
During this time I have seen & felt a connection & gratitude to students who have been committed to their practice.
When we suffer, what reveals itself can be RAW and harsh.
I have noticed this personally.
Having faith is a huge part of feeling safe & grounded.
Yoga allows us to discover our faith and I have observed that those students who have been diligently practicing during this time trust the process & the journey of life with more perspective & less reactivity.
LARISSA:
Definitely. Some feedback I have received:
- Appreciate having a routine
- Connecting with people from other classes and other places
- Nice to have something to look forward to
- Grateful of the convenience and accessibility
- Balanced movement keeps the body feeling good (lots of tight hips & lower backs at the moment)!
- A chance to try other classes that they would not have done before and found out how wonderful it is to practice more than once a week and how amazing Yoga Nidra is and how mind opening the philosophy is etc
- The meditation classes have been very well received with people thanking us, how very much they appreciate them and how it helps a lot during this time
TESTIMONIALS:
“Your teaching and classes have centered be back into my Yogi heart space and uplifted my sense of physical self!”
“Loving the classes! You are definitely keeping our spirits up”
“Yoga helps me keep positive”
#6 What can people expect from your classes and how can they attend?
LARISSA:
At the moment all our classes from Level 1-3 are available online every day. You can sign up on our website to receive our class details here
We have a pay as you feel system during lock down.
We know there are people doing it hard so they can donate as they can or just attend for free.
We are thankful for those who do pay to help as it helps us keep going!
LYNDAL:
I would love for you to join me!
My Vinyasa classes have a playful yet traditional foundation with plenty of options for newbies & a humble space for regular practitioners to grow & deepen.
My Yin classes encompass meridian theory & less dialogue where I can to allow for students to immerse within without too much talking on my end.
My classes have a strong community vibe of like minded individuals.
I’ll admit, there's often a few laughs mid practice. My breathe count is often off & sometimes I'm bossy. I’ll always welcome students with a smile & pre COVID - big
cuddles.
Our Clarity Cleanse Retreats are still going strong and are often sold out within a few months.
---
Lyndal's journey in the wellness industry began at age 22 when she graduated as a qualified Nutritionist (BHSc Nut Med) diving straight into clinical practice.
She later discovered Yoga (which she now considers a huge branch of the health industry) after a car accident about 8 years ago.
Although no major injuries were sustained, her nervous system was so traumatised the idea of hardcore exercise or lifting weight at the gym was not an option.
So she decided she would try Yoga for the first time. She continued to practice Yoga since the day she began.
After journeying to Rishikesh, India with her sister (who was currently doing her teacher training at the time, after also falling in love with the practice), she decided to do the same!
After practicing Yoga & deepening her understanding over in India she decided, she too yearned to do her teacher training. But like many teachers... didn’t actually expect to dive into Yoga teaching straight away.
Little did she know, she would end up taking a huge leap of faith, leaving her full time job to begin a brand new journey as a full time... Yogi! She all of the sudden felt the need for less, craving more simplicity in my life.
She began hosting Yoga & Health Retreats alongside her sister, essentially encompassing a weekend of all things health & Yoga!
The more she made space for her true Dharma, the more opportunities arose for her to grow into her teaching role.
So after many life changing years facilitating retreats, teaching Yoga classes, events & workshops, hours & hours of meditation, teacher training facilitating & studio managing, once again she's landed in a space of more simplicity.
When Lyndal is not teaching or hosting retreats, you’ll find her practicing with her teachers, taking time out to immerse in the practice - or no doubt talking all things Yoga with anyone who will listen... ;)
Retreats: www.claritycleanse.com.au
Find all details via social media! @lyndal_yoganut
Larissa came to Yoga in Daily Life to deal with poor health associated with stress.
She never left because Yoga in Daily Life the System is such a holistic, authentic and deep practice where she found everything she needed and more.
Her practice is an ongoing journey and rewarding lifestyle. As she changed, her practice has changed over the past 20 years, and more to come.
For more information for online classes, Yoga levels and meditation here.
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