Someone said to me the other day that we are in the 4th quarter of this Covid misery. I loved the analogy! We have preserved through the year from hell. We will make the comeback! I have found that with a little (okay, a lot) of patience and self love I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our lives have changed, some more than others. From remote working / schooling, cancelled plans, lifestyle changes, and perhaps most importantly, caring for elderly loved ones, we are all navigating these ever-changing circumstances. I have found that amidst the chaos, my mat has been my safe place. Even if I just do a couple stretches and breathe, the grounding of my practice has kept me sane and able to tackle my responsibilities. I am so grateful for the frequent reminders from students who are crediting Balance with saving their lives during this difficult time. It means so much to me to know that you all are receiving the same benefits from these practices that I do. 

For those of you who are in the throws of the Covid Funk, that can’t even get yourselves to move, who see prioritizing exercise right now as a fairytale, YOU ARE NOT alone. There are days (if I am being honest, quite a few) where I cannot fathom getting out of bed. But, I don’t get on my mat to lose weight, or because I may have been over indulging…I get on my mat for the simple reason that it makes me feel better. My practice, however intense or minimal, loosens my muscles, eases my joints, and helps my mind. I implore you all to do the same, start with 10 minutes, just do a few poses, then join us for a class. Movement heals, community heals. Practicing mindfulness and grounding is absolutely essential to make it through this pandemic. 

When this is over,  how will we remember this time? Loss of freedom? Loss of income? Loss of fun? And in some cases the loss of loved ones? Yes, I am sure those heartaches will not be easily forgotten. But, what of the things we could control? We should remember our creativity in lockdown, our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and our ability to practice in new ways. Despite the fact that many of us feel like it was the lost year, I am hoping that perhaps we can at least say we learned how to weather a storm.  

We are entering 2021 with hope. Although our fight against this virus is not over, we have grown and risen to the challenges. My father used to say, “Make a plan and work your plan”. Now is the time to create that game plan for yourself and your family! Stay safe and stay healthy, but remember to carve out some time to do something good for your body and mind. Here at Balance, we have such a loving and strong community, whether it’s on zoom or in person, we hope to see you again soon.