Welcome to “For Science”, hopefully a weekly occurrence. I will begin by confirming this is in no way genuine research, nor am I a scientist. This is a non-scalable, non-evidence based personal account of doing stuff and trying things in pursuit of good feelings and a healthier existence. I lay no claims to cures or recommendations. In true Yoga & Chips fashion, it is about finding balance within yourself and doing what works for you.
A friend suggested a free yoga event over the weekend to celebrate graduates from Newcastle Yoga School. We opted for a one-hour class hosted by Happy Yoga. I arrived, a sweaty mess having had a morning of chaos and existential dread, to a door where Jo greeted me with warmth and calm. Even the sight of a person appearing together and grounded delivered a comforting dose of “everything is going to be OK”. I journeyed upstairs led by this inviting lady dripping in good knitwear carrying tea. Yes!
The morning mayhem washed away by the time I reached the peaceful room lined with chairs and plushy items. Julie, the session lead sat before us, a group of women of mixed ages. Awaiting instruction there was relief that this appeared achievable. My body had obliterated all memories of trees, crows and happy babies and in its place an unforgettable awareness of another human once living inside it.
“Sit bones” in place I began replicating the moves, blowing out the cobwebs, forming negative space within my skeleton, attention brought to my neglected dark meats. My wrists crunch as hands swirl, highlighting ergonomic issues of the modern day. Feeling amazing yet uncertain how one shines a hip bone, there was little pressure on “doing it right”. Away from the madness of the world, trying something new with mostly strangers provided a sense of connection as we explored our own levels of mobility and adapted each pose to meet our needs.
I launched into warrior two, as a John West tuna hoody (not a plug) materialised in my peripheral. My mind left my body on the mat bending in time with the group. My brain took a dive, opening multiple timelines, exploring scenarios where I would acquire said hoody. Ending on legs up the wall I returned to a room of women clearly not wanting to leave the comfort of shavasana.
For me, yoga can often conjure up yoga tropes of women pulling perfect poses. A search for stock imagery displays bendy, non-disabled bodies drenched in sun sets on mountain tops, beaches, and boulders. Ladies in leggings sharing spiritual moments and appropriating multiple cultures. It is no wonder people can feel excluded. There are many variations of yoga and I have had some negative experiences previously more likened to a Ceilidh for flat pack furniture assembly.
Restorative chair yoga meant my post-natal body could slump over a pillow unjudged, a world away from potty training and meal making. Not a namaste was heard with no pressure to empty my mind of thoughts. The time to indulge in alternate timelines where one could acquire a sea food sponsored garment was blissful escapism. In a climate of little time or money this activity felt like an actual trip. Considering my usual cognitive functioning is dedicated to working, study and parenting with little time in between for absence and wander.
My body felt warm and flexible with a deep awareness of my posture which carried throughout my afternoon. The class left me energised and resilient, crushing the gripes of the day whilst wondering what the long-term impacts of yoga could feel like. There are many claims that yoga can be beneficial for depression and pain, suggesting you must put in the effort to make a positive change. However, I turned up to a class bothered, cynical and questioning my own capability but left at ease. A big win for little effort.
To remain involved in this practice I would have to live near the city or a community where yoga is available, as I travelled far for this event. Yoga clearly holds immense value, and this is not an issue of worth, but affordability. As someone studying health inequalities I left with a sense of, “this is incredibly special and of benefit for people” but also a sadness that this is financially and often geographically inaccessible. Especially for people who need it most such as those with low income, sometimes due to chronic pain or mental health challenges, including myself.
This is no fault of the yogis. People deserve compensation for the brilliant service they provide. I am not an economist or policy researcher, but I would be keen to learn what a world where investments are made in community-based interventions could achieve. Would savings be made on pain managing pharmaceuticals? Could people feel more connected or calmer? I mean these are big claims and of course yoga is not for everyone. But could it be something available for anyone who wants it?
Looking at somatoform disorders and the role that trauma, stress and the nervous system play in chronic pain and wellness, could the department of health be missing a trick here? Not that I am an advocate for mandatory yoga as some would find it a horrifying punishment. I cannot help but dream of a future where primary care and community health centres are intertwined with accessible workshops available to those who want them.
If like myself you enjoy mild uncertainty and submission in a safe environment, have a go. I am open to future suggestions. If there is a practice you would like me to try, contact me to instigate. Full disclosure, cupping horrifies me.
Big thanks to Jo (not a sponsor) for having me and Julie’s wisdom in her teachings. If you are reading this and happen to be the lady in the John West attire, thank you for keeping it niche. But also, I am genuinely curious as to how it was acquired.
Feel good score: Going in early in the game with a massive 9/10. If I did this weekly, I would be a more bearable person.
Would I do it again? A big fat yes if I could afford the commitment and had more childcare.
