Yoga & Mindfulness: Offering Calm During the Covid Storm

Almost two years into this shapeshifting pandemic,the disruption of our daily lives seems to be finally easing—and yet, we still feel anxious and stressed out, dealing with cumulative impact of the virus on so many aspects of our lives. How do we move forward, when we worry that the eventual New Normal may result in a more subdued and uncertain life? In today’s episode, Lesa Kingsbury, the director of the Amba Yoga Center, and Ken Taub, a writer grounded in Eastern philosophy who also leads meditation workshops, will talk about how aspects of these practices can help us deal with life’s anxieties, feelings of isolation and fear—made all the more prevalent in these uncertain times. Lesa and Ken will speak about breathing techniques, how to stay present with one's emotions, quietly aware of how they change moment to moment, rather than being perpetually reactive. Each will offer their approaches to taking unique moments of time to focus on life’s important details that we often miss when we’re consumed by multi-tasking and whipsawed by the daily overload of news and information. They’ll reflect, too, on the power of “stillness” (anathema to American culture!), and how it can be restorative, healing—a great form of re-balancing in very out-of-balance times. Ken and Lesa will offer their perspective on practical routines that we can integrate into a less-rushed life, from stretching, to walks outdoors, spending time in nature, or simply closing one's eyes for several minutes. They’ll also offer their perspective on the approaches of other experts in field of mindfulness, stress reduction and relaxation—an arena that has exploded in recent years, entering the mainstream of health, medicine and business sectors. And yes, as part of this Valentine’s Day episode, Ken and Lesa (who are husband and wife) will offer their thoughts about how they have remained mindful of love and relationships—not only in a Time of Covid, but over a lifetime.