Planet yoga
Stories from around the weird and wonderful world of yoga
CANADA: Not wellbeing
Yoga fashion brand Lululemon released its Global Wellbeing Report recently, highlighting how the events of the past year have taken their toll on health. Just 29% of respondents, from across 10 countries, indicated a strong sense of wellbeing. Gen Z emerges as the most vulnerable generation with the lowest wellbeing, however, all age groups and geographies surveyed are feeling the pain. “The events of the past year brought unprecedented challenges to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people worldwide,” said Calvin McDonald, Lululemon’s CEO. The precarious state of global wellbeing exposes the paradox of people saying they ‘feel fine’, the report adds. The report also shows that challenges with time, stress and access to resources expose a need for employers to better support workforce wellbeing.
USA: Elvis meditation
If you’re an Elvis fan then here’s a mindful meditation that you won’t want to miss. This August (August 11-17) sees the launch of Elvis Week 2021 to mark the 44th anniversary of the singer’s passing. His famous home Graceland is preparing for a gathering of thousands of fans and friends, in which the cornerstone event will be a Candlelight Vigil (starting on Sunday, August 15, at Graceland’s front gate). Elvis music will set the tone of the evening as fans walk up the driveway to the Meditation Garden. The event lasts throughout the night as fans gather on Elvis Presley Boulevard listening to music and enjoying the memorials created by fans along the street. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Tennessee: the vigil will also be available to watch online.
UK: VIP mat
Wondering what to do with all that spare cash after a year in which the UK economy is expected to suffer its worst recession in 300 years? Designer label Louis Vuitton is offering this luxury mat — yours for just £1,500. “Meditative stretching takes on a sleek bent with the Louis Vuitton Yoga Mat,” the firm states on its website. “It comes detailed with luxury House signatures, including natural cowhide leather details and a Monogram canvas strap and card holder. The mat itself is supple to the touch and features a non[1]slip finish for safety.” Available for sale in Harrod’s if you’re interested.
INDIA: Stress buster
A study in India has shown that those who practiced yoga during the pandemic-induced lockdowns experienced lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression. The study was undertaken by the National Resource Centre for Value Education in Engineering, an academic centre at IIT-Delhi. Long-term practitioners also reported higher feelings of control and greater peace of mind, noted lead researcher Dr Pooja Sahni. “Our study has mapped the effect of yoga on the cognitive and emotional problems of Covid-19, besides showing the beneficial effects of yoga on general wellbeing during adversity,” Dr Sahni was quoted as saying by The Hindu newspaper.
UK: Soccer chant
Fans of Newcastle’s football team have an unusual mindfulness track to keep them going during these stressy times. A new recording by the Newcastle United Foundation brings supporters all the familiar match[1]day buzz they love and miss — it aims to soothe the frustrations of supporters stuck in lockdown and raise awareness of mental health. The Foundation hopes the seven-minute track will act as a comfort blanket to fans and spark happy memories for those missing the stadium experience. "There’s one thing our community has in common — football — so the beautiful game has formed the basis of all our campaign communications, including this specially-made mindfulness track,” said the Foundation’s Ashley Lowe, cited by Chronicle Live.
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
