We are a few weeks into our social distancing measures and we are seeing such an overwhelming amount of love and connection from the yoga community locally and worldwide. There are more opportunities than ever to hop on a virtual yoga class and practice in your own home. We are each experiencing an endless list of adjustments in our lives right now; however the adjustment to an at home practice can invite some much needed routine and familiarity into our days.
Harvard health is recommending yoga and meditation as coping mechanisms to deal with coronavirus anxiety. Our yoga community knows this - and this is such a great opportunity to invite those you live with to practise with you, or to share classes and your love of yoga with your friends afar (virtually, of course!)
Schedule it
Make your yoga practice a part of your routine. Setting a routine and inviting a bit of structure to our days can help us adjust to our new normal, and can ensure we get to the things that will make us feel our best. A great way to do this is to sign up for live classes. The added bonus to this is that you get to connect with your yoga community in real time - bringing the studio experience right into your home. After all, we’re all in this together. Get the details to practice daily with In Fine Feather Yoga HERE!
Set Up Your Space
If you have a yoga mat and props, you’re in good shape! If you don’t, you’re still in good shape - the necessary tools for your practice are your presence and your breath. If you don’t have a yoga mat, your carpet, a towel or blanket will do the trick. A pillow or couch cushion can make for a quick bolster. A towel or belt makes for a great yoga strap in a pinch, and any food boxes or books can easily turn into a makeshift block. If you're looking to purchase props, Love My Mat is offering 10% off with the code LOVEINFINEFEATHER for a limited time. A portion of these sales will go directly back into our studio.
Find the atmosphere that works for you and your current lifestyle. It might be difficult to find a quiet, tidy corner where you can find focus - but if you can, try to de-clutter right before your practice. It helps to de-clutter the mind when your space is neat. Set up a Spotify playlist, or move in silence. Switch things up and see what works best for you. Click HERE to access a playlist we at In Fine Feather have created for you to use!
Experience it
Release any expectations and accept that this practice will feel different. The energy may be different, your focus may be off, you might miss your favourite teacher’s playlist and adjustments. You might have a dog barking and kids running around - the yoga class might even have sounds in the background! Accept the change and thank yourself for arriving on your mat even in these changed circumstances. We’re seeing our community at home and it's a beautiful experience
More importantly, through these scary times, see if you can invite a sense of gratitude into your practice - how lucky are we to have the ability to connect as a community online and use this practice to invite a bit of love into our days and actions!
Reach out
If you are having trouble setting up your home practice, reach out to us and let us know! If you are not part of our Community Facebook Group - now is a fabulous time to join and get the social aspect of the studio that you might be missing before and/or after class. While your yoga instructors and the In Fine Feather community are missing connecting with each and every person’s shining light in the studio, we are overjoyed to hear from everyone and to know how they’re doing these days.
More About Michelle
Michelle found yoga after a lifetime of organized sports gave way to post-secondary student life. Struggling to keep a steady fitness routine, she enrolled in a yoga class. She quickly found herself continuing to return to her mat after noticing a sense of focus, steadiness and ease in her chaotic schedule. The four corners of her mat have remained the space where she can slow down and reconnect with herself.
Looking to strengthen her personal practice, Michelle enrolled in 200-hour teacher training at Anjeli Teacher Training Academy with Diana Lockett and Daniel Horgan in 2017. She quickly felt the call to share her passion for the healing properties of yoga and thoughtful movement with others. A life-long student, Michelle has continued her training with a 50-hour Asana & Anatomy Training with In Fine Feather Yoga and is currently studying at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.
Michelle’s teaching offers an alignment based and heart-centred class that encourages exploration of the body and spirit. She holds space for students to bring awareness and agency to their physical, emotional, and energetic bodies. Students can expect to leave class feeling a little bit lighter, and feeling a greater sense of connection. Michelle is honoured to be a part of such an amazing community at the studio.
@chellesmithyoga