Here’s the event page for our Clean Yoga Lunch on Saturday 7th July on the Nottingham Embankment. The aim of the event was to keep the conversation about movement, the outdoors and the environment going.
How can we live more sustainability? I really believe that we can all be kinder to each other and the environment using the tools of yoga and gratitude. I would like to thank Hannah and Vicky, two amazing yoga teachers, lifestyle coaches and wonderful people, for organising such an uplifting event.
The event began with a 75 minute outdoor practice: Yogi’s and likeminded individuals coming together as a community to take a step back and appreciate everything we have around us, both in ourselves and our environment.
I had never experienced yoga outside before and luckily the weather was on our side and was a sunny and warm Saturday. The setting was so picturesque; we were situated under some trees with the river opposite us. I am a lover of being outdoors and I found the session incredibly therapeutic, providing fresh air and many additional benefits. The strong outdoor practice allowed me to reconnect with myself and to those around me, to nature and to the surroundings. At the end of the 75 minutes I felt energised and positive, this was possibly aided by the constant sounds of nature around us.
The practice was followed by a delicious lunch. 200 Degrees Coffee supported the event and the fight against waste. They provided us with a scrummy picnic and drinks. We all had zero waste in mind so brought along our own reusable cutlery, cup and Tupperware or plate. I opted for a combination of fruity Moroccan cous cous and mixed veggies salad with turmeric and ginger dressing which was very delicious and satisfying after the session. Sweet treat were beetroot brownies and quinoa flapjacks which were equally divine, especially the gooey brownies!
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t was lovely sitting on the grass, enjoying our food and talking to likeminded individuals about what we can all do to make a difference, no matter how big or small. We can all inspire behaviour change. So in everyday life as we go about our day, if you see some litter, bin it. We can together make more aligned choices by being conscious, choosing to reuse, refill or recycle.
I really feel that this topic is so important. The world is vast, the amount of plastic which has been produced in the last 60 years isn’t going away, we need to be the change and choose sustainable living to tackle this problem with plastic. We all have to start somewhere. I found it came so naturally to me when I started more deeply respecting the environment, others and the world itself.
Some great conversations and recommendations about what we can do in our own home to produce less waste were:
• Switching to Soap Shampoo and Conditioner (Zero Packaging Waste)
• Soap instead of Shower Gel (Zero Waste)
• Tooth Tabs (Plastic Bottle can be recycled)
• Switching to Bamboo Tooth Brush
• Using a Compost Bin
• Carry a Tote Bag
• Where possible source more locally, support your community.
• Refill (Invest in a good bottle, travel cup)
• Reuse (Where ever possible reuse what we already have, take our own cutlery, or invest in travel cutlery)
• Loose Tea Leaves. Yes most, not all, teabags have plastic in them.
I know it could seem very overwhelming looking at the possibilities above, however making just one change could really make a difference. I started with recycling everything that I could, carrying a reusable bottle round with me everywhere I go and asking coffee shops and restaurants to refill it for me. Also I always have a small foldable bag inside my handbag or backpack instead of using plastic ones. My next steps are going to be investing in a bamboo tooth brush and looking into soap forms of shampoo and conditioner.
I really feel that the event was so successful at creating more awareness, generating conversations, getting people interacting, talking, and working together on this fight against waste. Events like this are not just for Yogi’s, but for anyone who wants to make a difference and be the change this world needs in the fight against waste and single use plastics. I really encourage you to go to future similar events; together we can make steps to change our future.
This wonderful event linked perfectly with the Plastic Free July movement currently happening. Below I have inserted an image showing all the ways you can reduce your single use plastic consumption and make a huge difference. I’m very excited about the next similar event in August.
Together we can make this change! The world is waking up and things are happening, plastic bags, straws and cotton buds are just the start.
Rachel
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