What I did and learned from COVID19

I think the one of the biggest reason that I could stay calm and heathy both physically and mentally through the isolation of Covid 19 was that I have yoga. Especially I was lucky to learn yoga philosophy not only asana through teacher training course. After teacher training course yoga philosophy became the pillar of my life. My life is always the pursuit of “yogas-Citta-Vruti-Nirodhah” at the beginning of the yoga sutra. It means Yoga is the restriction of the fluctuations of consciousness. Whatever happens around me, without reaction, face up and find the best solution and act. Being this moment with mindfulness and stick to the 8 limbs of yoga. This is the super strong way wherever and whenever I am. I realised especially something serious things happens like Covid19 the yoga philosophy is very powerful, effective and essential thing for me.

I maintained same own yoga practice through isolation. The Bonas was that I didn’t need to think about the time such as picking up kids and etc. Yoga is great as we can do anytime by ourselves in the small space at home no matter what kind of weather.

Once again I really appreciated that I met yoga in my life.

I couldn’t teach public class however I taught private lessons with social distance without any physical adjustment. This taught me a lot. For example, I needed to give clearer verbal instruction as I couldn’t give any physical adjustment. This led me to observe the student more and more to find out if they really understood my instructions or not. I found the benefit for both student and I. Also, I really enjoyed the energy when I had lessons outdoor on the green grass under the blue sky.

Another approach for my students was making yoga video and sent to them once a week. I didn’t worry about the students who already have been doing own practice at home. My main aim was to make the students who didn’t have any habit to put the mat to enjoy yoga into their life easily during the isolation. So, I didn’t do classical poses that I normally teach in my class. I introduced some easy poses for them. I am lucky to have husband who is very good at making video include making music, illustration and My kids who assisted recording as tech crew. It was fun and great chance to check my alignment.

When we had restriction, I had extra time to do something that I couldn’t do in my normal life. One of them was making veg garden. I had the intention to do that from long time ago, but I haven’t started. My excuse was “I don’t have enough time”. During restriction I had one concern if the fresh market would be closed how I should get them. This fear made me to start. I realised that I got everything I need to grow food such as sunshine, water, soil and my body. And I have time now. Finally, I did it!! I was lucky to have friend to advise me how I should start making good soil from everything from my garden without spending money. Lots of digging, weeding, fermenting weed, mulching and etc. I enjoyed whole process that use my imagination to create something without buying for the sake of the convenience. That is more challenging but more satisfaction. Suddenly, the distance between my garden and I became closer mentally and physically. It was there before. But I wasn’t aware. I realised that something important is always nearby me. I just harvested 10 green beans and 2 capsicums. That makes me so happy. I will definitely keep doing.

The negative thing could turn out to some great opportunity. When the toilet rolls disappeared from the shopping centre I changed my habit to use the water instead of paper. I didn’t need to chase them. I thought this was a good move for my hygiene and environment. Even this tiny change made me feel that I became a little bit independent not to rely on materialism. I won’t go back to my old way even there are plenty of toilet rolls in the shop. This first action became trigger for me to look around myself to seek the way towards zero waste. I started looking for anything in the house to reuse or remake something instead of buying. For example, I used my old bed sheet to make many different size of bags to keep vegs in the fridge and etc. Now I enjoy shifting my life a little bit by bit to better way for both me and environment.

I probably learned two things. The distance and space. What is distance? As I mentioned before my garden was physically close to me before but mentally far for 20 years. As soon as I started gardening I have connection between my garden and me. When I am in bed and hear the sound of strong wind during night I am thinking of them now. I start caring for them. They are there before. The difference is just my attitude towards them. This connection makes me so happy and garden looks happy too.

We must keep social distance. It is for caring each other. My mum lives in Japan. We have distance. But it doesn’t make me sad as we connect each other and thinking each other. When I teach yoga, I ask my students to spread their toes. Some students can’t do that at all. Then I said to them “ Let’s make connection with your toes”. Even closest thing like own body is far if no connection. If family live together in the same house but all looking phone with headphone they have no connection. The distance isn’t the factor of happiness. If we create connection regardless how far or close, we can care each other, and it leads to have more awareness. Ironically, we tend to forget or don’t realise closest things such as our body, family and etc in normal life. Yoga means “Unite”. I think Yoga asana and pranayama practice teach us to connect breath, body and mind and especially the mediation creates the connection between us to the universe. All of them are always here. Important thing is to know they are there and just need to find the way to connect.

Other thing is space. When I had more time, I had space between one thing and the other. It made me feel more space in my mind. That gave me more imagination and creativity. I found more parking space in town during isolation. I really enjoyed having more space during isolation. When we do yoga we always create spaces inside our body. We really need four-dimensional space to be healthy, happy and caring.

By all above realisation I feel more appreciation for what I am given now instead of wanting something.

I am very happy that I will be able to start teaching my class from next week. I remember everything I learned from this experience and would like to reflect on my life and teaching yoga.

Namaste