A couple of months ago you could walk through any public space and spot most people moving through their day in a trance, focused on the device in front of them. Face to face contact was rare, and a sense of community was missing. Digital communication had become the default mode, while hanging out “In Real Life” was an idea of the past.
The trend was concerning when you considered the significant health benefits gained by strong, established community support developed through in-person interaction. According to a review of 148 studies conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University, social connections increase your odds of living longer by 91 percent. Close personal connections also proved to improve survival rates and quality of life for people facing cancer, stroke, dementia, depression, and diabetes. Lastly, experts suggest being rooted in a community boosts immunity and fights stress and inflammation, due to the personal sense of security it creates. Despite outside appearances, people are literally craving connection. Engaging in a regular practice of yoga can be a life changing action towards creating this connection, and experiencing the community so needed for our physical and mental well-being.
The word yoga comes from the Sankskit root word ‘yuj’, meaning to unite or bind. At its core, yoga is more than a series of poses, it is about uniting. Through yoga you unite the various aspects of yourself: body, breath, mind, and soul. Through yoga you also begin to deeply understand true connection. You are connected to everyone around you, and these connections create your community. In its simplest form this sense of community is experienced through breathing together during a yoga class. As you develop the ability to become fully present during your yoga practice, you will literally sense the energy in the room become one harmonious movement.
Then enters COVID-19, now the “preferred” method of digital communication is the REQUIRED method of communication. How does one continue to experience community and connection on the yoga mat in the middle of a pandemic, frankly when community is most needed? You use the technology previously “preferred”.
At Yoga Body Shop we are continuing to create connection and community through live online yoga classes each week —delivered virtually through Zoom Videoconferencing software. Our instructors are committed to being there for you. For this reason, the classes are offered in real time WITH you. You can see the instructor and other students as you practice and are able to connect with them. Time is reserved before and after the class to interact with the group and ask questions.
At Yoga Body Shop, we agree together anything is possible. We are offering three classes a day virtually so that we can face this together, won’t you join us? Need a sneak peek into the community and connection you are missing out on? Watch this video to see how Yoga Body Shop yogis are up to something bigger. If you are looking for a community of dedicated people uniting through the transformative power of yoga, you found us!