Approximately 1 in 4 people (in the UK) suffer from a mental health condition. Couple this with recent research suggesting that 300 million people practise yoga worldwide, and it is reasonable to assume that someone in your yoga class has experienced, is experiencing or will experience an episode of poor mental health. Given our current circumstances, this likelihood is significantly higher, as mental health charities have reported an increase in cases of anxiety, OCD and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet for all this, yoga teachers are not therapists, nor should they be dealt with the responsibility of counselling their students. Mental health is a delicate matter that requires a unique sensitivity and education, knowledge not obtained in a foundation teacher training.
What yoga teachers can do is take steps to ensure their students feel safe and supported in class. Below are some suggestions on how to do so.
“How are you, really?”
Ask your students how they are. It is a simple question, and yet one that is charged with meaning. These four words create an opportunity for your student to open up, to put into words thoughts or feelings that may have felt incommunicable. Contrary to what you may expect, you do not need to provide life-changing advice, the mere act of taking an interest and listening to your students is enough to show your support.
In a yoga class, we often ask students to check in with themselves or pay attention to our thoughts and feelings. For some, this introspection can stimulate an emotional response. While guiding a class through the physical practice, it is important we are sensitive to the emotional reactions. Checking in with your students at the end of a class allows them the space to verbalize their experience, and in doing so, perhaps identify something that needs exploring/greater attention.
Pay Attention
Unlike the stark cast signalling a broken arm, mental health conditions are not so evidently visible. Because of this, it is all the harder to approach/address. In absence of crutches, a shoulder sling or bandage, it is all the more important to pick up on subtle signs: missing a regular yoga class, entering the class late, seeming distracted or leaving a class immediately.
It is well established that physical activity is good for mental health, as is keeping up a regular routine. Of course, you cannot force your students to attend weekly yoga classes, however beneficial it may be to their wellbeing. However, you can make doing so more accessible. Monthly packages encourage a sense of accountability and commitment to showing up each week, even if that is so not to lose out financially!
Create a Community
In lockdown we have a heightened awareness for the importance of connection, but community and social support has always been crucial/fundamental to our sense of wellbeing. As yoga teachers we have the opportunity to connect like-minded individuals, whether that be through weekly “challenges” to build group spirit/solidarity, or separate means of communication through Facebook or WhatsApp groups. Being part of a group can combat feelings of isolation that so often arise in those struggling with their mental health. While we are not able to physically attend classes, virtual groups serve to foster this element of belonging and community.
Direct Them to Resources
As mentioned above, yoga teachers are not counsellors. It is a distinction that is often blurred by those working in the industry, their career choice motivated by a desire to help others. Yet, while it may be tempting to share personal experiences and guidance, such advice can be misconstrued or even damaging by those in a vulnerable position.
It is, therefore, more prudent and helpful to guide your students toward professional support. Here is a list of several organizations your students can turn to:
SANE: http://www.sane.org.uk
Mind: http://www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans: http://www.samaritans.org
Mental Health Foundation: http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Childline: http://www.childline.org.uk
Understandably, it is not easy to drop the above into a casual conversation. If possible, it is worth posting these helplines on the studio’s notice board or desk so that anyone interested can access help discreetly. Alternatively, you may want to add these as resources to your website or social media page as a signal of the help available.
————-
Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Melissa Albarran from Yoga Alliance Professionals. She is a practicing yogi, dedicated runner, and avid writer.
Daily Cup of Yoga 
Thanks for talking about yoga, I really love to do this while wearing my workout leggings and so really like to get more about this kind of field. Wonderful stuff to read and I am so delighted to find this valuable article that is amazing. Appreciate it!
My friend’s mental health condition was very disturbed since the lookdown begun but your tips i feel will help him to out of depression. How long should i make him him do Yoga i mean for week and months?
This is a great and helpful article
https://yogibodyworx.com/products/massage-pillow-massage-yoga-26450
BASE YOGA ACUPRESSURE MAT/ACUPUNCTURE MAT FOR MASSAGE/WELLNESS/RELAXATION AND TENSION RELEASE
Plz click here
£21.95
Features:
1. The Acupressure Massage Yoga Mat with Pillow relieves stress, aches, pains and muscle tension, Neck Pain Relief and Increases Blood Circulation
2. Helps with back pain, tension, stiffness, insomnia, fatigue and many other conditions
3. Stimulates points per Chinese traditional medicine and activates the body’s own production of two substances, helps to relax.
Unexpectedly, regular yoga practice has many unexpected uses
for such health. Thanks for your sharing.
Thanks for suggesting Yoga asanas for mental problems faced in COVID 19. These will be very beneficial and will make us mentally fit and strong. Being active physically helps our mind and mental state to be calm.
Hello, I really like your content. I did yoga before, only at the beginner level, however, it was great and helped me a lot. Unfortunately, due to moving abroad and all the stress around it, I have quit, but now I feel to start with it again. I found this programme that has really good references and would like to ask you what do you think about it? Thanks a lot for your opinion. https://bit.ly/3jUegs5
Great Article by Melissa Albarran, I will share this article in the yoga instructor network.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE VAN
·FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020·
If you have never been to a chiropractor before, and are not sure how to select a good one, then you might want to ask the following questions:
1. Is the chiropractor experienced, and has he been treating patients for a long time? The more experienced the chiropractor is, the more effective the adjustments will be. Dr. Fish has been a chiropractor for 27 years and has adjusted thousands of patients.
2. How much time will the chiropractor spend with me? Dr. Fish spends close to 1/2 hr to an hour with every new patient.
3. Will the chiropractor do a thorough and complete examination and diagnosis? Dr. Fish does a complete and thorough examination prior to rendering a diagnosis and treatment.
4. On the average, how many adjustments will be necessary before I can get relief? Most patients feel better after the first adjustment, but sometimes will require a secondary or more treatment; it all depends on the patient’s condition
5. Doctor Thomas Fish is a chiropractor at Chiropractic Care Van in Santa Clarita, CA. If you are struggling with neck or back pain, headaches or migraines, carpal tunnel, sciatica, or any other health condition please call us today.
How do you pick a good chiropractor?
Learn more: https://chiropracticcarevan.com/
Hi. your post is amazing and I really loved reading your post.Thank you . Coinbase LoginLogin now!
Your Article is really great and helpful. Thank you so much.
If anyone wants to buy dresses wholesale, You can visit my website.
https://loveyouwholesale.com/
Supporting students during Covid has been such a challenge and has required us all to get creative and find ways to bring our practices to our students. We’ve managed to create a robust live-stream offering and hundreds of hours of on-demand content (www.branchesyogastudio.com). The bright side is how we are seeing our students continue to take advantage of these offerings to support their busy schedules as we see sunshine at the end of Covid!