Wellness During Times Of Change | The Yoga Practice

"To practice the art of relaxation is to possess the key to good health, vitality and peace of mind, as it restores your whole being and liberates great resources of energy." Dr. Kiki Morriss

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Whether you're an experienced yogi or a complete novice, we've teamed up with Dr. Kiki Morriss of Primrose Hill Yoga who offers some simple and restorative poses that will help us all to find some calm amid the current storm. Many of our employees at Sahara HQ have attended Kiki's classes at her London studio, which she is now offering to everyone online, allowing us to explore and deepen our yoga practice from the comfort of our own homes.

Dr Kiki Morriss on the benefits of yoga 

"Yoga is a wonderful way to unwind your nervous system, improve your posture, reduce anxiety, increase fitness & flexibility, give you greater lung capacity, boost your serotonin levels and improve muscle tone."

On moving her practice online

Amid the anxiety and change of our daily structure in this current time,  the yoga community has been able to continue sharing their health enhancing practices through virtual online classes. I would recommend finding a live online class, either with your regular teacher or someone new. Remember to listen carefully to your body during your practice, in order to keep yourself safe and injury free.

Life is full of surprises and I’ve been amazed how much I love teaching yoga online and how positive my students have been about this new way of practising. It’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities, as students can join classes from the comfort of their own home and from anywhere in the world. It’s never been easier to join an early morning class, as you can roll straight out of bed and onto your yoga mat.

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On four grounding yoga poses to try at home

Butterfly

1. Sit with the soles of your feet together and hold your ankles or feet.

2. Close your eyes and take 5 slow, deep breaths in and out.

The Butterfly pose opens your hips, stretches your inner thighs, strengthens your back & abdomen and relieves anxiety & tiredness.

Queen Cleopatra

1.Sit, stand or kneel

2. Bend your elbows and place your fingers at the back of your neck

3. Breathe in

4. Breathe out and turn your head to the right

5. Breathe in and turn your head to the centre

6. Breathe out and turn your head to the left

7. Breathe in and turn your head to the centre

8. Repeat 5 times

Queen Cleopatra releases tension in your neck & shoulders, particularly after working at a desk or computer. It encourages good posture and synchronises your movements with your breath to help you feel calm and reassured.

Downward Dog

1. Come onto your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder width apart and your knees hip width apart

2. Tuck your toes under, lift your hips and straighten your legs

3. Gently press your heels towards the ground

4. Relax your head and neck

5. Breathe slowly 5 times

6. Lower down onto your hands and knees Downward Dog stretches and strengthens your back, shoulders, arms and legs.

This post lengthens your spine, relieves tension and energises your body.

Warrior I

1. Start in Downward Dog and step your right foot forwards between your hands

2. Turn your left heel slightly in and keep your left foot flat on the ground

3. Bend your right knee so it is above your right ankle

4. Lift your arms on either side of your head with your palms facing inwards

5. Gaze straight ahead

6. Breathe in & out slowly, 5 times

7. Return to Downward Dog

8. Repeat on the other side

Warrior I strengthens and stretches your arms and legs. It develops your confidence, focus, concentration and balance whilst increasing your self-esteem. Bend your front knee as you reach your arms to the sky. If you feel like it, you can take a gentle back-bend here. Feel grounded and strong in your body & mind with this heart-opening pose.