Author: Megan Waterfield
Pulse check: how is everyone doing?! Weāve been quarantined for just about a month now due to the novel COVID-19 virus and a worldwide pandemic. We hope this blog finds you feeling calm, grounded, and not too stir-crazyā¦
But we understand that it can be hard. Weāre living in a world that none of us imagined couldĀ actuallyĀ happen; we thought these āapocalypticā times only happened in movies and books. However, life is unpredictable and thereās nothing we can do but adapt to the changing world around us.
Yes, the uncertainty is scary, but this challenging and restrictive environment is a perfect time to get creative with your passions and practice gratitude for what and who you have supporting you in the here and now.
My personal experience with the quarantine has been full of ups and downs, and Iām sure most of you can relate. But instead of focusing on the lost jobs, solitude, boredom, and other negative aspects of the quarantine, Iām dedicated to finding the positives.Ā
Make online Video Chat Your New Best Friend
Can you imagine living in a tech-less world in a time like this? We areĀ soĀ fortunate to be able to connect with friends and family through FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. Whether itās a virtual happy hour with friends or āhaving dinnerā with extended family, video chatting has helped me feel connected despite the distance between us.
Speaking of feeling connected, weāre using Zoom video chat to Livestream virtual yoga classes with our very own Evolution teachers! I cannot stress enough how important it has been to keep up with my yoga practice during these unsettling times, but the EPY team has gone above and beyond toĀ offer several virtual classes every day.
Not only is this a great way to get your practice in (and yes, Iām still breaking a sweat every class!), but it gives us a chance to connect with our community in a unique and exciting way. Taking our virtual classes has allowed me to meet teachers from all EPY studios, not just from Harrisburg (my home studio), and I love experiencing the different energy that they all uniquely bring to class. Additionally, Iām able to meet students from all over the area that know and love the same JIP sequence we practice in our home studios. Itās been such a neat experience — if you havenāt tried it out yet,Ā head on over to our site and sign up today!
Get Creative with your Home Workout
I think the most difficult part of staying home is disciplining myself to (a) stay out of the kitchen and (b) get off the couch. Our virtual yoga classes keep me accountable, but everyone needs some variety!
Iāve found that the best way to keep myself feeling productive, healthy, and happy is by moving my body. Now that spring weather is finally here, Iāve been soaking in that vitamin D by taking walks around different neighborhoods and playing tennis with my boyfriend.
I also started enhancing my yoga practice withĀ Evolution GO,Ā our online yoga studio! What I love about EvoGO is the variety of content thatās offered. They have our traditional 60, 75, and 90-minute yoga classes, but they also have multiple 20- to 45-minute classes that range from pose breakdowns to prenatal yoga.
There are alsoĀ several guided meditations available on EvoGO. If youāve been feeling stressed and overwhelmed with the current environment, I highly recommend meditating to calm your mind and bring you back to your center. The guided meditations are a perfect place to start if youāve never tried it before, and we have videos ranging from 5 minutes to 20 minutes so you can find what works best for you.Ā
Try out some Old Fashioned Conversation
Yep. Talking out loud with other humans. Texting, email, posting on social – these are all great things, but we’re talking real conversation. It might not be face to face (except remember, we do live in a tech-savvy world), but even phone calls are great. Just hearing the voice of your friends, family, and loved ones are enough to bring a sense of calm and ease. Even better – if you’re looking to generate some conversation around sharing, self-discovery, connecting with others, you name it – Evolution will be launching Community Chats this week as another means of staying connected during social distancing! Zoom calls, 2 a week, one morning and one evening, hosted by an Evolution teacher who guides the conversation with other like-minded individuals. Count me in! Keep posted to Social and your inbox for dates and details.
Rediscover Old Hobbies and Explore New Ones
My favorite part of this quarantine has been taking time to figure out what IĀ truly enjoyĀ doing in my free time. Of course, I love binge-watching my favorite shows, but Iāve found new and rediscovered old hobbies that I look forward to continuing when all of this is over.
Iāve talked to many friends and family about trying new activities during quarantine, and below is a list of things weāve been doing. If youāre looking to branch out of your routine, try some of these out:
- Complete a puzzle
- Play a new board game
- Read an uplifting book — or join our virtual book club!
- Go for a bike ride
- Learn how to knit or crochet
- Cook an entire meal from scratch (…dessert included, of course!)
- Have a dance party while cleaning your home
- Freshen up on a foreign language you took in high school or college
- Get artsy by painting, drawing, or writing
- Start a home renovation project
Weād love to hear how youāre filling your days during the COVID-19 pandemic. From all of us at Evolution, please stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy. We canāt wait to see you again. Love and light!