World Poetry Day

What is World Poetry Day and how do we celebrate it?

Celebrated on the 21st March, World Poetry Day's purpose is to promote reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry worldwide. This is seen as important because poetry engages our emotions, we learn how to express ourselves through literature, this is particularly influential on children. Allowing a reader to connect to a poet and their own minds.

It was originally celebrated on the 15th of October in the 20th century, which was the birthday of the Roman epic poet Virgil. The date for the 21st March was discovered by Unesco in 1999. 

We can celebrate it with 3 simple tips: 

1. A zoom gathering 

Due to Covid, we can celebrate virtually. Get all your friends and family on a zoom call to read your favourite poems. Maybe even a poem that may help one another during these unprecedented times.

2.  Celebrate other cultures 

World Poetry Day aims to celebrate cultural diversity, try and find a poem from another country that brings you inspiration and meaning.

3. Write your own poem

Even if writing is not your forte, jot some ideas down on a notepad, get your thoughts out and see where it takes you. No pressure or expectations, just flow with your own writing and mind. A great way to express yourself and possibly even relieve any tension you may be feeling or any current problems you are facing.

Images from: https://pixabay.com 

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Self Care Yoga Tips

 

With the current lockdown and strict tier system in place, this is the perfect time to focus on the mind and body. With our quick yoga tips you can begin to practice self-care at home. 

Yoga can be accessible and adaptable to the individual. The practice of yoga is not just physical, it is 90% mindful. Once you begin to align both of these together you will see the true benefits. If you are a beginner you can start off with some easy breathing techniques for your mind, and some beneficial stretches for your body.

Yoga is scientifically known to boost your immune system, improving your health, which it is essential to stay fit and healthy during the current pandemic. 

Lets begin with breathing, if you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed or stressed with exterior problems such as work, take two minutes to deep breathe. Take a long inhalation, following your breathing as it circulates the body and becomes a deep exhalation. Keep following those inhales and exhales, letting the shoulders release on the exhalation and your ribs lift on the inhalation. 

You can also try counting the breath, this is a great technique if you suffer from anxiety, lets try it now. Deep breath in for the count of 1, 2, 3 seconds. Deep breath out for the count of 3, 2, 1 seconds. Continue this and concentrate on the breath, this allows you to divert your focus on your body rather than your thoughts and overworked mind. 

Now some self-care yoga stretches, if you are sat at a desk or working from home, try this.. 

Begin with a supine twist for 8 breaths on your right side, followed by 8 breaths on your left side. This should release any tension built up in the lower back. 

Stretch your arms over the chair and lift your chest tilting the head back, from here we can take a shoulder squeeze pose. 

If you can take 10 minutes out of your day in the morning or evening, it is great for the mind and body to take a childs pose followed by a cobra pose on a yoga matt. These are simple yet effective. 

Most importantly, for self-care, celebrate yourself and trust yourself. Slow down and give yourself a few minutes a day to breathe, stretch, focus on your mind, body, and health. By doing this, we can heal ourselves through yoga. Allow yourself to let go each day at a time. 

Images from: https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-panorama-dusk-nature-3084651/

Sincerely Madia & Matilda