 Meet our next Guest Author - Hema Deva a Professional Counsellor and Therapist. Hema and I go way back, both of us grew up in Wellington, both our families were active members of our community and we both attended Wellington East Girls College together. Hema and I reconnected earlier this year and got to talking about our jobs, our kids, the world in general and in particular the challenges we face. As a woman in my 50s the words stress, anxiety & nervousness, seem to be featuring more and more in my conversations, as I navigate through menopause, aging parents and raising a teen. Talking with Hema about her work, I realised, how these seemingly normal human conditions, for some, are so debilitating that they impact their day to day life. Read on, as Hema effortlessly explains how anxiety impacts us and how practices like yoga can help manage some of the symptoms associated with anxiety.  Some people however experience such heightened fear, that it can negatively impact day-to-day functioning, making anxiety one of the most common mental health concerns. Anxiety is often regarded as a brain-based health issue and while the amygdala (fear center) which is responsive to anxiety is situated in the brain, there is also a physical bodily reaction. People often describe experiencing heart palpitations, restlessness, butterflies in their stomach/nausea, light-headedness and sweating.
In modern times, our amygdala is however being fired off even when we are not necessarily in danger, often over irrational worry or day-to-day stress. It is a complex response involving the interplay between our cognitions, physical body and behaviours to real or perceived threats. While there are well-researched mental health therapies that are effective in managing anxiety, a body of research has identified other practices such as yoga, also having a positive impact on mental health.  One such Study looked at whether the practice of yoga postures increased brain GABA levels, making a distinction specifically to yoga and not just simply engaging in physical activity. This study demonstrated after a 12-week yoga course; participants thalamic GABA had increased compared to participants who did an equivalent walking exercise course. An increase in thalamic GABA is associated with heightened mood and a decrease in symptoms of anxiety. 
Yoga combines physical movement, mindfulness and deep breathing; all practices which connect us back to our parasympathetic nervous system. When anxiety is activated, a person’s sympathetic nervous system is working on overload. By regulating breathing and engaging in yoga poses, we can reconnect the body back to its parasympathetic nervous system which relates to our rest and healthy digestive system. Our parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation and restores much needed balance back into our body and mind. According to research stimulating the vagus nerve which plays a vital role in your rest-digest system is beneficial in reducing and managing anxiety symptoms. One way to activate this nerve is by practicing yoga.  Thank you so much Hema for sharing your knowledge and explaining this increasing mental health concern in a clear and digestible format. x
Institute of Technology. My work journey has been varied and extremely enjoyable. I have worked with adults, young adults and children (6-12yrs) of all cultures, in a variety of settings over many years, including Education (School and University), Community and Health (District Health Board). In 2010, I joined a team of light-minded professionals where I have grown my private practice, working with various people. Alongside my practice, family and general life admin, I am working on creating a therapeutic model and writing my first book.
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How long have you been practicing 26+2 Hot Yoga? (and how often do you practice?)
I’ve been practising for just over a year. I started out with the Beginner’s Pass (unlimited sessions for 2 weeks), enjoyed it enough to sign up for 10-trip passes, and then quickly realised I was going to the studio often enough to make a monthly membership worthwhile. I aim for three classes a week, two hots and one yin. Sometimes I’ll sneak in an extra yin because it’s just so relaxing and mindful. What led you to take your first 26+2 Hot Yoga? My partner has been doing yoga for almost ten years now and I could see it was so good for her mental and physical health. From time to time over the years she’d persuade me to try a class, but they always somehow landed wrong for me. I’d get frustrated, even angry, at myself and my body, and would drop it again. Then she got involved with 26+2 hot yoga, she started coming home telling me she thought I’d like this one better. I was reluctant, especially at the idea of sweating in high heat, which seemed like it would be embarrassing and extra slippery. I gave it a go anyway, because why not try it once, right? To my surprise, I really enjoyed my first class. It was exhausting and I could tell I was a total beginner, but I also felt detoxed, mentally and physically. I came home that night and slept like a rock! I’ve been going back ever since. What is the most noticeable change to your life outside the yoga room that is as a result of your yoga practice? Hard to pick just one! I definitely feel more physically limber and my posture is better. I’m noticing my breathing stamina is better whenever I exercise. I feel more connected to my body in the sense that I’m less likely to be hard on myself for this or that perceived flaw; I can either accept each one or know I’m gradually working on them each class. The biggest benefit for me, though, is the way this yoga style acts as a mental health safety net. I know it’s there ahead of me when I need it—a priceless, predictable mute function for my overactive brain. I work as an intensive care paramedic, so there’s often a lot of cumulative stress, sleep disruptions, and general stuff to process. Overall, this is the practice I didn’t know I was seeking: one that combines physical benefits galore with an easy path to acceptance, self-improvement, and a softening of all the inner noise. What do you most appreciate about Kapiti Hot Yoga? It’s a sanctuary. I especially appreciate the amazing teachers and the community that has so quickly grown up around this unique little studio. We are so lucky to have some incredibly supportive and engaging teachers. They definitely make it worth showing up, even on a grey day or after a busy shift. I can honestly say I feel I belong there. I have met some truly lovely people along the way and I’m grateful for the shared vibe more than I can put into words. What would you say to someone wanting to give it a go? One of the things that sets 26+2 apart from other styles of yoga is that it’s the same sequence of poses every single time. In a world that’s often busy, unpredictable, and constantly challenging us to react to new things at a moment’s notice, the reliability of this practice starts to feel very safe. You can show up with all sorts of baggage, but for the duration of a class, you know exactly how to act and what your limits are. No judgement from anyone if you sit some poses out. Along with the physical flexibility and balance that you gain when you practise regularly, these classes also provide something crucial that’s often missing from modern life: an off switch. Ninety minutes of freedom from interruption. So if any of that sounds tempting, please give it a go! What’s not to love? A whole-body physical fitness routine, an inclusive studio community, and a mental escape (if just for a little while) from all the craziness inside and out. |
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