You’ve heard of staycations. Now come have a playcation at the Yoga Vibes and Wellness Day. This outdoor programme, which consists of a series of yoga sessions, promises participants a fun and safe workout which will also lift everyone’s spirits and give a sense of connection as they breathe and move together, synchronising body, mind and soul. Sessions will be led by instructors Sara Wee, who teaches at yoga studio The Yoga Mandala and who is also a vocalist with home-grown band 53A; Dawn Sim, who co-founded yoga studio Trium Fitness; and model, host and media personality Denise Keller, who has been practicing yoga since she was 15.

A fun and safe activity like this can also help you get back into a workout routine which may have been disrupted during the circuit breaker.

The good news is, yoga is very good for helping people relax and manage stress, say the instructors.

“A big part of yoga is about breathing, and something as simple as sitting down for five minutes and focusing on your breath can help you calm down,” says Sara, who adds that she has fallen sick much less since practising yoga.

As for Dawn, a mother of four, “yoga has helped me manage a lot of the mental stress that I have gone through, including postnatal depression. It has also helped me manage my emotions and energy levels”.

Denise adds: “Practising a few yoga poses for five to 10 minutes each day is the first step towards reducing stress.”

Yoga can make you sweat

But while yoga calms the mind, it’s by no means ineffective as an exercise. Denise says yoga may not be considered an aerobic exercise, but more athletic forms of yoga, like power yoga, will make you sweat, and research finds it can be just as good as aerobic exercises for improving health.

Yoga poses also help to build strength, says Dawn, especially in muscle groups that can be neglected, like the core muscles which help with balance.

The beauty of yoga, adds Sara, is that “you can move at your own pace. If you go faster, it’s a cardio workout. If you go slower, it’s gentle”.

She points out that the sun salutation pose in yoga, for example, is really just a slowed-down burpee, while the warrior sequence can be turned into lunges if done fast.

And anyone can reap the benefits of doing yoga, whether they’re young or old. “Yoga is low in impact and every pose has alternatives that make it accessible to everyone,” says Dawn.

All three instructors agree that even people who are injured, disabled or the elderly can practise modified forms of yoga, such as chair yoga, which is performed sitting down.

Even beginners can do yoga

Convinced to take part in the Yoga Vibes and Wellness Day but feel a bit shy as a beginner? Just think of it as doing a simple exercise which can stretch and work your muscles, says Dawn, who asks that participants do not expect too much of themselves and just focus on what they can do.

But ultimately, what the instructors hope is that participants will just enjoy themselves.

Sara says: “People may worry they can't do the poses but no one will judge you. I really hope to make people feel welcome, so come and say hi and chat with me.”

Denise adds: “I hope to lead a fun and engaging class for everyone to enjoy. We will breathe, meditate, flow, get strong and have a good giggle. Life is too short to take things too seriously.”

While at the Yoga Vibes and Wellness Day, you can also check out a Scent Remedies workshop by local trainers Seang Looi and Ann Loy, where you can know more about essential oils and make your own Foot Scrub and Scent Roller with all-natural ingredients and essential oils. There is also a DIY hand sanitiser and insect repellent workshop by local skincare company Theo10. Workshops cost $10 per participant.

And if you have enjoyed this event, also check out a new Body and Mind programme at Singapore Sports Hub, which consists of SuperFit Sunset Power Yoga every Saturday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm; and SuperFit Sunrise Yoga Wellness every Sunday from 8am to 9am.

Don’t be shy; just show up with no expectations and reach for the best you can. PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB