Dear Yogis
I hope that your Christmas was restful and you managed to spend some time with your nearest and dearest.
I am normally a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions but this year it feels that setting myself a long list of goals and targets is a fools game. Instead I have decided to focus on three areas: movement, connection and kindness.
Movement
Movement is so important as we humans are made to move. Notice I didn’t say exercise – for me that word is guaranteed to stop me in my tracks. I have become really aware that during 2020 I didn’t move enough. Sure I did yoga, a lot of yoga. But my body is used to this form of movement.
I had big plans in lockdown 1 to do Joe Wicks every morning, walk 5 miles every other day, cycle daily and learn to hula hoop. I bought a device to turn my road bike into a stationary bike and a specially weighted hula hoop. As a family we did Joe Wicks once – I couldn’t walk properly for 3 days. I got a spectacularly sore behind from my rubbish bike saddle and bruised my hips with the hula hoop!
So this year I am scaling back my expectations to a simple daily walk – I’ll aim for 30 minutes so that I can get out of the house, get away from my desk and get some air in my lungs. I’ll use this time to decompress, exercise my eyeballs and nourish my soul. Hopefully I’ll be able to drag some of my family out with me or catch up with a friend for a socially distanced walk.
Connection
Connecting with people is a fundamental human need – this is especially important in 2021. We need to find ways to keep connected with those nearest to us and ourselves. I talk to my Mum most days but by the end of a working day I have a tendency to retreat into myself and not want to call or Zoom any more.
I have decided that I am going to try going ‘old-school’ and start to send letters to people instead of relying on social media or the phone. There is just something so magical about receiving a letter through the post (that isn’t a bill!) I also love writing with fountain pens and have ink in every shade. We’ll see how long the letter writing lasts……
Kindness
I am terrible at being kind to myself. I overfill my days and take on more projects than I can possibly handle.
During 2020 I completed training to be a Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, qualified as a Mental Health First Aider, trained as a Chair Massage Therapist and took my yoga classes online.
I ran a 1 day yoga retreat, grew my own veg, became a business partner in a retreat location venture in Portugal and learned how to make Thai Herbal ointments and hot compresses.
This year my plan is to complete my Thai Yoga Massage Therapy qualifications (exam date is currently February) and the Chair Massage qualification. I will ‘try’ not to start any new yoga related courses (note I say try – I know myself too well!)
So, my challenge to you is – what can you do to bring more movement, connection and kindness into your life during 2021? How can I help you?
Obviously if you are looking to add in more yoga into your week then I can definitely help you. All classes will be on Zoom until Boris says it is safe to venture forth. I also offer 121 yoga sessions via Zoom if that is preferable. Check out the schedule online to see what’s on offer.
Click here to see the Yoga Schedule
My gift to you…..
My parting gift to you in this slightly rambling message is a recipe for a Turmeric Honey ‘Bomb.’ I was searching for a natural remedy to boost my immune system and found this recipe online. It has a very robust flavour but its a great boost, makes your mouth zing but please don’t get it on your clothes as it will stain!
Turmeric Honey Bomb ingredients
- 120ml of runny honey (I use a mix of local raw honey and manuka honey)
- 2-4 tbsp of fresh grated ginger or ground dried ginger (you might need less if its ground as it makes the mixture quite dry)
- 2 tsp of ground turmeric
- 1 organic unwaxed lemon
- 2 big pinches of ground black pepper
- 1 glass jar with a screw top lid
Zest the lemon into the jar, then cut the lemon in half and juice both halves into the jar. Spoon in the honey and the dried ingredients. Stir and taste – you might want to add in more ginger or turmeric to taste.
Store in the glass container in the fridge and you can either stir a couple of teaspoons into hot water as a drink or if you are feeling brave eat a spoonful straight from the jar – this is my preferred way of consuming this.
I hope you give the ‘bomb’ a go!
Do take care of yourself and your loved ones and I hope to see you soon – either virtually via Zoom or when we are allowed back in person.
Namaste and much love
Vicky