Yoga Etc. (Physical Touch)
these mountains that you are carrying
you were only supposed to climb- najwa zebian
I don’t miss much about my pre-pandemic life, but the things I miss, I miss a whole lot. Travel is up there for sure, seeing family, of course, but perhaps, more subtly, I miss physical touch.
I miss walking arm in arm with friends down the street. I miss being adjusted by my favorite teachers in class. And I miss hugging — each embrace unique to the relationship between the people taking part.
You don’t realize how much you miss a hug until you actually feel it again. Physical touch reduces stress by calming our nervous system, and it’s how we communicate to one another that we are safe, loved, and not alone. So while we logically understand the reasons why we can’t hug, it’s hard to come to terms with the loss of physical touch and not knowing when you’ll get it back — and that’s okay. You’re not alone.
One of my strongest love languages is personal touch, and on the flip side, I have a hard time with words of affirmation (ironically enough for a writer). What this pandemic has shown me is a way to connect with people in a new way — maybe even in a way that some appreciate more than physical touch. I’ve learned to smize while wearing a mask and hold eye contact while listening to someone speak. I’ve learned to depict my affection with a string of words instead of a warm embrace. It’s been an exercise in my own communication to tell someone that I care for them without physical touch.
We will get hugs back, and until then, our words are all we have. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, take the time to write out your feelings and share that with your collective. Tell them you appreciate them, express gratitude, be intentional with your words. While this doesn’t replace a hug, it can be more powerful than we imagine.
Practice with me
- Tuesday 18th August @ 7.30 am BST
a 60-minute powerful grounding flow to gently wake up the body for the week ahead - Sunday 23rd August @ 5 pm BST
a strong + sweaty 60-minute power flow to release tension, get clear, and have a little Sunday Funday
How to join
- respond to this email/send me a text or DM to let me know you’ll be there! (also include any injuries or conditions I should be aware of)
- download Zoom + join the live class here (pw: lbcyoga)
- i’ll be on 15 minutes before we start so that you can get settled and catch up before we begin
- classes are donation-based so please feel free to pay what you can
These are uncertain times and my priority is to provide a space for connection and support. Everyone is welcome to join regardless of what they can pay. If you are in the position to pay for class, you can do so on PayPal here.
weekly writing prompt
- think back to when you were 13 years old — what did you imagine your life to look like at your current age (10 minutes)
other musings
- happy belated left-handed day my fellow lefties
- read: radicalizing your yoga to create a just world
- making herstory: can you make a blueberry muffin? sure can. can you?
- how the pandemic has changed us for the better
- listen: nice white parents (by the people who made serial)
- nobody even noticed that women were missing in central park — what does that say about the invisibility of women?
- on repeat: california sunrise
- miss class this week? catch the audio recording here
stay well + see you on the mat xx
LBC
