Did you know that Miss Le Brun is not just Deputy Head of the Sixth Form and a Music teacher at school, but is also trained in yoga and runs her own classes?

With us all spending too much time at our computers and desks, we asked her how yoga can helps us feel better during these unusual times and also her top tips for staying well during the lockdown. Miss Le Brun also shared some great stretches to do after a long day at your desk!

How did you get into yoga?
I started doing yoga when I was in Sixth Form as part of the enrichment programme at my school. I remember finding Downward Dog hard at first but my teacher had such an aura of calm and ease about her that intrigued me! I continued lessons and eventually decided I wanted to deepen my knowledge by doing a teacher training course. 

Do you specialise/are qualified in a particular type of yoga?
I’ve trained mainly in Vinyasa Flow Yoga and also qualified in Trauma-Informed Yoga. Vinyasa Flow links the breath to movement, so you can come into the present moment. It’s about being in flow, when you lose sense of time and are fully immersed in what you’re doing.

How can yoga help you feel better?
Most people start practising yoga because they hear about its physical benefits:

• Increases flexibility and mobility
• Improves posture and balance
• Helps strengthen muscles
• Great for weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight
• Aids digestion
• Improves circulation
• Drains the lymphatic system
• Helps strengthen your bones
• A 1998 study by the Lancet suggests that yoga helps to increase lung capacity as yogis tend to take deeper breaths

But after practising, you will also notice the benefits for the mind:

• Helps to reduce stress and anxiety
• Better sleep
• Improves focus and concentration
• Ability to be in the present moment
• Learn to quiet the mind- yogis practise noticing destructive thought patterns without judgement 
• Cultivate compassion and kindness towards yourself and in your relationships
• Builds confidence and self-worth

How much yoga do you need to do a day to make a difference?
Like anything, the more you put into it, the more you will benefit. If you are a beginner and just have 15 or 20 mins then that is a good start. Usually my personal practice is usually about an hour a day. Yoga is also a lifestyle choice about making a regular commitment to one’s own wellbeing and practising self-care.  

What is the best time of day to practice?

Anytime that is available! Traditionally in India, yoga and meditation are practised in the early morning before breakfast and chores begin, but you can find benefit in practising whenever your schedule allows. I personally tend to roll out my mat in the evening one I’ve finished my teaching day. 

Do I need any special equipment?
This is the beauty of yoga: just yourself really. A yoga mat will help a lot though and you can get things like blocks and straps to assist with alignment too. 

If you are a beginner, what would you recommend doing to start with?
Finding a good teacher online. Try a few different teachers and styles until you find one that you connect with. Yoga should be fun, empowering and inspiring! 

What do you recommend if you are stuck at your desk behind a computer for long periods of time during lockdown?
Get up and move your body! Take movement breaks regularly and do something that makes moving fun. Put a YouTube yoga video on or go for a jog. Make sure you stretch your muscles too. I have lots of videos here.

I have some class cheat sheets here. After working at a desk all day, the neck and shoulders get tight. Take a look at these. Remember to do both sides!

Check out my free YouTube videos here

IG: maria_lebrun_yoga
To join in with my Online Yoga Classes every Wednesday night at 18:15-19:15 please email yoga@marialebrun.com https://marialebrun.com/