A private yoga teacher says she’s seen a rise in the number of people joining classes as they seek new ways of looking after their mental health.

Carina George, of Carina George Yoga, has been delivering online yoga classes over the last 12 months as a way of keeping people motivated and calm during the pandemic.

Flexibility is the key with classes offered early mornings, before the start of the working day, or in the evenings when people can really unwind and stretch out their bodies.

Carina said: “I have seen an increase in people joining the classes which shows how more than ever we need to look after our mental, as well as physical, health.

“The beauty of online yoga classes is that it has exposed people to yoga who may not have turned up to a class.

“I always give students a choice to turn their camera on or off either way.”

Most recently, she has started teaching more yoga within the workplace.

Businesses pay for staff to take a lunch break to – in Carina’s words – “tune in to tune out.”

Classes have been delivered to 3 Sided Cube, Lemur Landings and Bournemouth and Poole College staff.

Carina said: “I give each member of staff a link for Zoom and away we go!

“It has been so beneficial seeing how many people it has helped.”

Carina said benefits of yoga within the workplace include:

• Reducing stress: “It’s no secret that work can be stressful, and yoga is the perfect antidote. Stress alone leads to changes in mood, poor performance, and anxiety. Looking for ways to reduce employee stress so they can be more productive, have more positive interactions with co-workers, and stay focused pays off for organisations.”
• Increasing focus: “By combining movement and breath, your yoga practice does not allow for a wandering mind. By being present ‘in the moment’ you’ll learn to control your mind so you can focus on the task at hand. A vitally useful skill to have in a fast-paced workplace where multitasking is a way of life.”
• Boosting immunity: “Yoga activates your immune system, gets your blood flowing and stimulates your lymphatic system. Yoga also supports healthy bones through weight-bearing exercises.”
• Improving posture: “Sitting all day wreaks havoc on your posture and the natural curves of the spine slowly start to reverse as you hunch over your computer desk.”
• Increasing confidence: “When you are confident in your body, it bleeds over to other areas of your life. Yoga increases body confidence by showing you just how strong and nimble you can be.”

Carina, who comes from a dance and movement background having performed and studied contemporary dance, was introduced to hot yoga in 2012 – and completely fell in love with it.

A form of yoga where exercise is performed under hot and humid conditions, Carina said that in addition to achieving a stronger more supple body, she loved the feeling after completing a class.

In particular, the freedom, the focus and the peace of mind both on and off the mat.

She said: “For me, it is sometimes just turning up on the mat and becoming present.

“Yoga has taught me how to become present in my life and the importance of breath and stillness, not only on the mat but off the mat too.”

Carina soon became an avid Ashtanga practitioner and started to explore other styles of yoga.

She has attended various workshops led by Ajay Kumar, been to yoga retreats around the world and spent a month a year in Mysuru (formerly known as Mysore) in India exploring her own practice under the teachings of Vinay Kumar and Ajay Kumar.

She works with local studios Yoga Lounge Bournemouth and also South Coast Yoga in Poole.

More details about Carina, including her classes, can be found at carinageorgeyoga.com or email ckgeorgey321@gmail.com