live yoga classes online

The pros and cons of online yoga classes

The pandemic ensued in many changes in the lifestyle of people across all nations. People had to adapt to the restriction outside and thus shifted to online methods. Eventually, many realized that online classes, whether skill based or academic, were not as challenging as they thought. It had many advantages over physically attending classes. Having said that, online classes also have some cons. In this blog post, we are going to help you decide whether online classes suit you. 

There are many different things to consider when choosing an online yoga class over an in-person one. Even if you decide to go for the virtual option, you are most likely to experience choice paralysis because of the limitless possibilities the world wide web offers to tech-savvy yoga lovers. 

Let’s start by helping you choose if online yoga better suits your needs as opposed to in-person classes. 

If you are a beginner and you can choose between an online and an in-person session, you should probably go for the second option. The main reason is that you could start building bad habits. These include holding your breath for too long and getting restless by pushing your body beyond its limits, which could lead to potential injuries. In a lesson delivered over a video call, it’s much harder for the instructor to spot these bad habits. Not to mention that nobody will ever notice them if your online lessons consist of watching pre-recorded classes. 

For the more experienced, online yoga practice should not cause any injuries, if you apply what you have previously learnt in your in-person classes. However, if you think of yoga as a collective experience, doing it virtually will mean that you will miss out on the shared energy of a group, which can sometimes be really profound. In addition, it’s easy to get distracted at home by family members, the doorbell, your phone, that pile of paperwork, or the cat or dog deciding they want to join in. Yoga studios are often characterized by natural materials and earthy tones that help create a peaceful atmosphere, promoting mindfulness and relaxation. 

Let’s now assume that you want to go for online classes, you should know that virtual yoga practice can be done in many different ways. The two main ones are pre-recorded versus live video lessons. 

Financially, pre-recorded classes are certainly convenient. There is usually a different price tag between pre-recorded and live classes. You can even find free yoga videos on YouTube! If finances are an issue, you can definitely practice with pre-recorded videos, either paid or free. Yownn Yoga’s Youtube channel is definitely a good place to start. We offer a 7 days journey with videos to help you get started with yoga. These include stretching routines and exercises for flexibility, strength and relaxation. 

In addition, with pre-recorded classes you do not depend on a schedule, you create your own. This certainly suits busy professionals. On the other hand, you need to ask yourself whether you will have the self-discipline to follow your own schedule. If you don’t, live video lessons would suit you more. For example, if you have paid for 4 classes in advance and they take place on the same day at the same time every week, you’d probably be more motivated to attend. Remember you need to make time for yoga instead of trying to find time for it. A commitment to a series of lessons that take place following a regular schedule means making time for it. 

Finally, just like in-person group classes are about collective energy, to some extent, live video lessons can be too. Even if students can’t see each other the way they can in-person, there’s a discernible difference in the energy of a live, two-way streamed class. Students can see other students practicing who’ve opted in to keeping their cameras on. Students sometimes chime in to ask questions that are specific to their needs, too. The only drawback? You can’t press pause like you would when watching a pre-recorded class and relive that moment. If you want to relive a yoga moment or practice over and over again until you master a certain pose, a live video lesson will not allow you to do that. 

If you want to live the moment but not necessarily relive it, Yownn Yoga offers live online classes that are 30 to 90 minutes long. All our yoga instructors are certified by regulatory authorities and have ample knowledge of yoga practice. Therefore, you can get the chance to learn yoga methods from experienced teachers. Our knowledgeable and dedicated yoga instructors shall guide you by teaching you the correct yoga postures throughout the journey. Online yoga classes are a highly personalized experience of learning yoga, suiting your time and needs. 

five fun thing to celebrate Valentine's Day

Five Fun Ideas To Celebrate Valentine’s Day In Gaborone (Even If You’re Single)

If you’re single you’re likely not going to be getting chocolates or flowers I’m afraid, but who cares?

Romance is in the air, Valentines Day is coming up in a short few days. Scary!

The coupled up amongst us are busy planning and maybe even blackmailing each other for the best valentine’s day gifts. From romantic dinners with delicious food to spa days full of pampering, there are always lots of opportunities for couples to celebrate their love in Gaborone.

Self love looks good, always!

But what about the single folks who’d also want to celebrate their freedom, because yes being single can be a real good thing. It could be that you have just extricated yourself from a toxic relationship which calls for a celebration. Or just the joy of being free to roam.

In recent years we have experienced an increasing call to tune in internally and prioritize ourselves, to fill our cups and celebrate the self. Selfcare and self-love have become such common phrases that a Google search generates more than five billion and three billion results for these keywords respectively and for good reason. It has become critical to be very intentional about creating a joyful space for and within the self. As we grow older this becomes even more important especially for us women. Our responsibilities are bottomless. We  literally carry the home, raise our children, take care of our ailing parents, support our siblings and the list goes on and on.

Like I mentioned, If you are single you’re likely not going to be getting chocolates or flowers I’m afraid. The good news though is that you can still have an enriching valentine’s day celebration. You can do fun activities that fill your cup to honour the love of your life; yourself!

This year, why not try something out-of-the-ordinary and enjoy one of these unique Valentine’s experiences?

Fun ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Gaborone

We have five fun ideas to celebrate valentine’s day in Gaborone even if you’re single, especially if you’re single.

  1. Si Spa has a wide array of luxurious beauty treatments at a reasonable cost. They offer waxing, facials, massages, manicures & pedicures as well as body scrubs. The best news is that you can do this alone or with your fellow single girlfriends for extra fun. The ambiance is great, the stuff is friendly and the location is not only central but accessible and stunning. The cherry on top is that Si Spa offers vouchers which gives you ample time to utilize it at your convenience.
  2. Yownn Yoga Breakfast at Ate@Design; this is a bespoke event that combines yoga, breakfast and a hangout, what’s not to love? If you have been wanting to experience yoga but have not been able to for whatever reason, this is a great event to do just that. You get to experience yoga in a fun and accessible way, on a Saturday morning when you’re not to rushed, with beautiful community of women who support each other on and off the mat. In addition, there is a nourishing breakfast in a local eatery that celebrates art and showcases local artists’ work as décor. The ambiance is to die for. You will leave filled refreshed, and nourished, it is a great place to meet and make new friends. This event is perfect to do your with girls, or solo. The Valentine’s themed Yownn Yoga Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday 11th February 2023, the ticket is P280 per person.
  3. White Label Fragrance Candle making class is back on the 11th of February 2023. You can expect to have a fun experience where you will be learning the basics of candle making, playing around with scents and colour. For this experience dress casually and come prepared immerse yourself in this therapeutic experience. The ticket is P400 for singles and P600 for couples, so why not bring your girl pals for this enriching experience?
  4. Farmer’s Market in Phakalane is another fun experience that you can do for valentine’s day. It takes place every Saturday morning at the Serbian Church behind Acassia mall. Entrance is free, and you call buy goodies such as coffee, baked goods, books, cheese, dairy products, biltong etc. There are shaded spots where you can hang out with your girls taking in the fresh air and people watching. It is a perfect place to meet new people. Pro tip: carry cash as they do not swipe.
  5. Valentine’s Dinner for two at Ate@Design; this is an exclusive event for just 15 couples so you will have to book early to avoid disappointments. Do remember though that a couple can be yourself and your girl pal, and why not? The menu is to die for and coupled with Ate@Design cool vibe we have no doubt you’ll have a wholesome day with your loved one. The ticket is P1000 for a three-course meal with specially selected wines.

Conclusion

Don’t let yet another Valentine’s Day pass you by just because you are single, grab one of our five fun ideas and celebrate the heck out of this lover’s day. Make sure to book early so that you don’t miss out on this beautiful experiences.

P.S. Yownn Yoga Breakfast tickets are still available, out theme this year is #beYownnValentine

 

benefits of yoga

16 Benefits of Yoga for Overworked & Stressed Women Who Don’t Enjoy Working Out

Introduction

The benefits of yoga cannot be over-started, but before we get there, let’s face it: If you are a woman in your 30s and above you are stressed out.

We live in a world where everything is moving so fast. We’re always on the go, and there’s no time for ourselves.

We’re constantly stressed out about every little thing in life — from bills to relationships aka mjolo and even friendships (especially women in their 30s and above). It’s no wonder that so many people struggle with anxiety disorders (and other mental health issues) today!

Yoga is one of those things that can help us feel less stressed out and more relaxed overall, which is why I’m sharing with you some benefits of yoga specifically for working women who are not into the fitness lifestyle but still want something healthy to do.

Yoga offers time to yourself.

One of the greatest benefits of yoga is that it’s a great way to spend time alone. You can do it anywhere and at any time, so it doesn’t require you to leave the house or spend money on equipment. As a matter of fact we have free online yoga classes for your to try out if you’d like.

The physical practice of yoga is also beneficial for your overall health and wellness, especially if you have a busy schedule that doesn’t allow much time for exercise. Practicing yoga regularly will give you an opportunity to focus on yourself and what’s going on in your life right now–a much needed break from work.

Yoga is a moving meditation.

Yoga is a moving meditation. It’s an effective way to relax your body and mind, as well as help you focus on the present moment. The physical practice of yoga enables you to create space between yourself and stressful thoughts or emotions, so that they don’t overwhelm you anymore. It helps reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body, which in turn reduces anxiety symptoms like irritability and insomnia.

Yoga also improves flexibility, strength and balance–all things we need for better health!

Yoga helps you feel less stressed.

Yoga helps you relax and feel less stressed, which is important for working women who may have a lot on their plate. When you’re stressed out, cortisol levels increase in your body. This hormone can lead to feeling tired as well as increased anxiety and depression–and we all know how hard it is for working women to get much-needed rest when they’re constantly thinking about work! As already mentioned, yoga reduces cortisol levels in the body thus improving sleep quality, mood and overall well being. Yoga studios such as Yownn Yoga offer free yoga classes online and paid in-person classes as well as yoga events to get you acquainted to yoga in a fun and accessible way

You can do yoga anywhere.

Yoga is a great way to improve your health and de-stress. You can do yoga anywhere, from home or in a studio, to at work or on the train or bus. The best part is that it’s free!

Yoga is an ancient practice that has been proven effective in helping people achieve better physical and mental health. It helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as improve sleep quality among other things.

It’s safe for your body.

Yoga is the perfect exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels. It can be done by anyone, regardless of injury or health condition. If you’re feeling sore from a long day at work, yoga will help you relax and ease your muscles into shape.

If you’ve injured yourself recently or have an existing health condition that makes it difficult to move around freely, yoga is still safe for you–the poses don’t require any jumping or heavy lifting (though some may require balance), so even if your joints aren’t as strong as they used to be, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to handle these simple movements.

Yoga is great for improving posture.

Another of the benefits of yoga is that it helps you to improve your overall health and wellness, but did you know that it can also help reduce neck pain? By strengthening the muscles in your upper back and shoulders, yoga can help improve the alignment of your spine–which means less stress on those areas! In addition to improving posture, yoga also improves breathing by engaging both sides of the diaphragm (the muscle located between chest cavity and abdominal cavity) which allows more air into our lungs. Improving breathing techniques will allow you to feel more energized throughout the day while also reducing cravings for sugar or caffeine because they make us feel alert!

When you practice yoga, you get to move in a safe way that helps you feel good and reduces stress

When you practice yoga, you get to move in a safe way that helps you feel good and reduces stress. Yoga is a moving meditation. It’s also one of the best ways to relieve stress because it allows you time for yourself and takes away from the busyness of everyday life. You can do yoga anywhere–at home or at work–and it won’t disrupt your schedule or take up too much time if done correctly (which we’ll talk about in an upcoming post).

Yoga does not require any equipment other than what comes naturally: breath, body weight and gravity! So there’s no need for expensive gym memberships or fancy equipment; just get down on all fours or sit cross-legged on the floor with a blanket underneath if needed (I recommend this!).

helps you manage your stress

Yoga reduces stress levels by releasing endorphins (natural chemicals produced by our bodies) that make us feel happy when we’re stressed out about work deadlines coming up fast. This leads me into another benefit of incorporating some form of exercise into my daily routine: better mood management! Yoga has sustained me during my most turbulent career year where I started a new role smack in the middle of an MSc. What could have been a highly stressful time became transformational thanks to my ability to keep my cool during intense situations.

increases breathing

Breathing is a must in yoga. It’s how you stay present and focused, which is something that can be hard to do when you’re working. Breathe deeply and slowly and focus on the sensation of air entering your body and leaving it again. This will help calm your mind, making it easier for you to concentrate on what’s happening right now without worrying about what might happen later or even tomorrow morning!

reduces cravings

Another benefit of yoga is that it can help you reduce cravings and eat less. Yoga has been shown to increase fullness, which means that you’ll feel more satisfied after eating a meal or snack. This helps you eat healthier because it keeps you from overindulging in junk food, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems like diabetes or heart disease over time.

improves mood

Yoga is a great way to improve your mood. Yoga helps you feel less stressed and more relaxed, which can help with sleep problems, depression and anxiety.

A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that people who practiced yoga regularly had lower levels of depression and anxiety compared with non-practitioners. Another study found that women who participated in a 12-week yoga program experienced significant improvements in mood compared with those who did not practice yoga during this time period (J Altern Complement Med 2012;18(5):517-523).

improves digestion

Yoga is known to improve digestion and bowel movements. It helps with acid reflux and bloating, too. When we’re stressed out or tired, our bodies produce more cortisol–a hormone that can slow down the digestive system. Yoga can help regulate your cortisol levels so that you’ll feel less stress in general, which will also help keep your digestion on track!

strengthens your immune system

Yoga is a mental and physical activity which helps you strengthen your immune system. By practicing yoga, you will be able to increase your flexibility, strength and endurance.

If you’re not into the fitness lifestyle but want to improve your health, then yoga is the best way for you! It can help you feel more energized throughout the day because it promotes relaxation through breathing exercises.

better sleep

Yoga can help you sleep better. If you’re stressed or anxious, yoga will help relieve those feelings. Stress and anxiety are both known to affect our ability to fall asleep at night and stay asleep throughout the night. The relaxation that comes from practicing yoga helps calm your mind and body so that you can relax more easily when it’s time for bedtime. Yoga also improves circulation, which contributes to deeper sleep by helping oxygen reach every cell in your body (including those in your brain).

You can be a busy working woman and still incorporate yoga in your daily life

You can be a busy working woman and still incorporate yoga in your daily life.

It’s not about finding time, it’s about making time for yourself. Yoga is an excellent way to relax and unwind after a long day at work, but it can also help you stay focused on tasks that require concentration or attention to detail. Studies have shown that people who practice yoga regularly tend to score higher on tests measuring their ability to concentrate than those who don’t perform any kind of meditation or mindfulness exercises at all!

Yoga isn’t just for “health nuts and hippies” yoga can help you keep your sanity even when you have a crazy work schedule or a stressful life

Yoga isn’t just for “health nuts and hippies.” It can help you keep your sanity even when you have a crazy work schedule or a stressful life.

As a working woman, I know how difficult it is to find time to exercise and stay fit during the week. Yoga is an amazing way to get in shape without putting pressure on yourself (or spending money). You don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership; all you need is some floor space and some imagination!

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you understand how yoga can benefit your life as a working woman. If you’re still not convinced that yoga is worth trying, we encourage you to give it one more chance! The benefits are many and varied, so there’s no reason why anyone should not be able to find something they like about it. The important thing is that whatever kind of practice feels right for you–whether it involves moving slowly through poses or sitting quietly with eyes closed–make sure that it makes sense given your busy schedule.

P.S. We have Yownn Yoga Breakfast in partnership with Ate@Design coming up on the 28th of January 2023, the event’s theme is yoga, eat and hangout. It is a perfect way to experience yoga as a first timer, you can bring a friend or come alone and meet new people. You can sign up by clicking on this link.