James Cook from Christ Church Sport looks at how the practice of Yoga can help us refocus our body and mind.

With the summer fast approaching, staff are beginning to look for new ways to relax and wind down. However, with the school holidays looming, it’s easy to lose sight of the goals you have set. Heavy workloads or even a particularly tight deadline can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It can be comforting to meet up with friends and unload your problems, but as we know, sometimes even they can be our source of stress!

In these situations, it’s good to refocus the mind and body. The practice of Yoga can be incredibly useful for this; blending the grounding force of meditative breathing with the wild rush of endorphins that comes with a good workout.

Yoga finds its origins in ancient India, but its ideas have been adapted over time, studied (scientifically) and distilled by the Western world into what is now recognisable as modern yoga. Much of the philosophy and dogma has been lost in this process but the raw purpose is still much the same:

“Focus on your breath and focus on your form. Allow all else to melt away. Become the master of your mind and body.”

In times when you feel completely out of control of life, it is important to remember that you are still in control of your body. Yoga, as a practice, teaches us how to use controlled breathing to steady your mood and your body as you move through a series of deep relaxing stretches.

Not only are these forms and stretches incredibly relaxing, they also serve the purpose of strengthening and toning the body. These two points may seem contradictory, but in truth, once you have mastered the meditation, the strength comes naturally with the complexity of the shapes that you have access to. Before long, you’ll find yourself supporting your whole body weight on your arms for extended periods of time without breaking your concentration or breath.

This can help you to manage the rising tide of stress and dispassion that can be common when under everyday pressures. In addition, one of the best things about picking up a yoga habit is that it is accessible to everybody. Once you have learned the shapes, you can create your own meditative workout for home.

For those interested in taking a little more control over their routine, Christ Church Sport are offering introductory yoga classes as part of Staff Wellbeing Week, to book your free space simply visit StaffSpace and click “book onto a learning activity” and once there search courses for “Yoga”.

For more information, including dates and times of other Christ Church Sport Yoga classes, please visit: www.canterbury.ac.uk/sport