When SECC staff were given the chance to take part in four free sessions of yoga as part of Mental Health Month, some were skeptical.
The idea of stretching our bodies into strange poses and sending Shanti mantras heavenward put a few of us in a spin.
But the reality was quite different – and many reported feeling “lighter”, “calmer”, “happier” and “more fluid”.
And there’s a reason for this.
Numerous studies have backed yoga as a positive way to increase balance and flexibility, boost strength, improve sleep quality, combat back pain, increase productivity, and reduce anxiety and depression.
And for our team, it was a great opportunity to practice skills and improve our general wellbeing so we could head back into our work in the community with more energy and focus.
Mental Health Month is celebrated each year in October in NSW. This awareness month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we have a lived experience of mental illness or not. It also gives us the opportunity to understand the importance of mental health in our everyday lives and seek help when we need to. South Eastern Community Connect (SECC) is running a number of free initiatives as part of Mental Health Month. These include the CADRE Mental Health Training Course, Mood-boosting Drumming Workshops, Art Therapy Classes, and an Introduction to Mindfulness course. Follow our Facebook page to keep up to date.
See no evil: Some of the SECC staff had fun with some unconventional yoga poses. Left to right: Toy Librarian and Family Support Worker Natasha Feng, SMOOSH Educator Sarah Neville, and Centre Coordinator Julie Gray.