Esther's Christmas 2021 at Prana Yoga Oxford for Mental Health
Esther Beierl is raising money for MQ Mental Health Research
Participants: Christmas 2021
“Christmas 2021”
on 18 December 2021
Story
Mental health is a topic close to my heart.
My dream is that one day mental health is treated equally to physical health - in terms of funding for research (mental health research is significantly less funded than physical health research!) and in terms of awareness and acknowledgement in society.
I take a holistic approach to mental health.
I work in mental health research (https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/team/esther-beierl) and I advocate for mental health as an ambassador for the charity MQ - transforming mental health, that funds innovative mental health research (https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/our-work/research-approach/).
I am also a qualified yoga teacher (RYT-200, international certificate; trained by another MQ Ambassador and wonderful friend, James Downs, amongst other inspiring teacher trainers). I have experienced myself how much exercise and yoga can do for our mental and physical health (backed by research!).
When I first arrived at Oxford my yoga journey started at Prana Yoga (https://www.pranayogaoxford.com) and I was immediately hooked by the experienced and lovely Prana teachers, classes, and their community. I now teach myself at Prana Yoga (how exciting!).
With Christmas coming up as a reminder for the need/wish for community, I want to serve the community and am teaching a free yoga class hosted by Prana Yoga Oxford (in-Studio and online) and am doing a Christmas fundraising for the charity MQ alongside teaching the yoga class. Donations of any amount are welcome. If you don't want or can't donate, just come along, I want this to be an accessible and non-judgmental space for everyone.
The yoga class is happening on Sat, Dec. 18, 2021, 12:30 - 1:30pm GMT at Prana Yoga Oxford, in-studio and online, all levels (not suitable for absolute beginners). Sign up for free on the Prana website: https://www.pranayogaoxford.com/studio-classes - for joining us in the Studio, https://www.pranayogaoxford.com/online-classes - for attending online (no pressure to switch on camera).
About my yoga approach and the charity class: Exercise and yoga make me physically and mentally stronger. I work with my body and move and breathe through emotions and sensations that are stuck in my body and that I can't access from a cognitive point of view. As a yoga teacher I offer a strengthening practice and invite my students to explore challenges to facilitate their own growth in their individual way and pace while holding a safe and mindful space to do so. In class we will target strength on a physical level and explore its mental impact. We will finish the class with a calming restorative practice. Do get in touch if you have any questions or injuries you would want me to know about with regards to the yoga practice. Take care of yourself and practice safely.
Follow me on social media: Instagram @estherbeierl, Twitter @EBeierl, Facebook @Esther Beierl.