Yoga workshop for Mental Health for women

Ihati Wellness is proudly associated with Multicultural Association of Community Empowerment (MACE), a nonprofit organization, that supports people from all backgrounds and especially works for women empowerment.

Ihati Wellness and MACE are working together to bring more workshops for women from different talks of life, focusing on mental health. On August 15th, we conducted our first 1-hour online workshop on Yoga for Mental Health for women.

Why this workshop

COVID-19 pandemic is having major effect on our mental health and well being. Although public health measures such as social distancing and lock downs are necessary, they are making us feel isolated, anxious and overwhelmed. While we are doing the right things by getting vaccinated, observing personal and social hygiene, it is also important to look after our mental health.

Learning to cope with stressful situation like this in a healthy way, enables one feel in control of the situation and more resilient. Amongst many ways to cope with stress and anxiety, Yoga is the most popular and very effective stress reduction tool.

The breath work in Yoga along with meditation, teaches us to be grounded and being present in the moment, while asanas (postures) helps to remove energy blocks. Savasana, during or at the end of the session, helps to release mental and physical stress and induces.

Workshop Outline

As our focus was to promote mental health, we chose asanas that promote grounding and relaxation, such as Child Pose, Cat and Cow stretches, Seated and Laying Spinal twist, Bridge Pose and Happy Baby Pose. Class began with OM chant and deep breathing, to bring everyone into their body, on the mat. After a gentle warm up, we had a short Affirmation Meditation. This was followed by Nadi Shodhana Pranayama. The asana practice then was followed by guided Savasana.

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4 Comments

  1. The yoga session was very relaxing and much needed in this pandemic.
    Thanks to all those involved in organising this.
    Special thanks to Smita, for being such a good and wonderful teacher.
    Her instructions were very clear and easy to follow.

  2. Yoga workshop for Mental Health for women.. was absolutely beneficial.
    Smita gave detailed instructions throughout the course which helped us focus on our postures without having to look at her. She also gave clear instructions on what to avoid.
    The affirmation meditation was the best part of the course. women are constantly on their toes running around doing chores and trying to find a work life balance at the same time. As a woman I found this meditation just what a woman requires.
    MACE should have many more sessions like this to help the women in the community.
    Thank you MACE and Smita.
    Looking forward to attending more sessions with you..

  3. Dear Smita,

    I really appreciate your valuable time, enthusiasm, thorough preparations and very well conducted YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH session this morning.

    All instructions were very clear and even with closed eyes I could imagine what you are trying to say while doing deep breathing techniques, different Asanas.

    Affirmative meditation was the best experience of today’s class and very much required for all of us to cope with frequent lockdown situations and living meaningful life.
    I really felt very calm and positive after meditation.

    All Yogic Kriya you taught were very safe and easily doable. I felt really relax and in fact I felt very energetic throughout the day.

    Thank you for your immense support and valuable guidance.

    Warm regards🙏Om Shanti🧘‍♀️

  4. Thanks Smita for this session!! It was very relaxing and rejuvenating cause of your detailed instructions and soothing voice.
    Due to Pandemic and stressful routine, women are not paying that much attention to their mental health as they should. This session has definitely helped us.
    Thanks again Smita and MACE for organising this workshop. Looking forward to such workshops in future which will benefit Women in our community.