Namaste, South London Cares

Please note: this post is 105 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

At South London Cares, our activities are all about taking a moment to pause. To stop. To put down the phone, disconnect from social media platforms, to park never ending to do lists and instead, to enjoy the wonderful company of our neighbours. It's amazing how refreshing that can be - how actually stopping and making a genuine connection with the likes of Pat, John or Frances can leave you feeling rejuvenated. 

Community is at the heart of our work, which is why we're always chuffed to receive support from local business who're inspired by our mission and want to play a part in that. And indeed, we wouldn't be where we are today without such generosity. 

That support can come in many forms, and this month has seen it take the form of Yoga. Always looking for opportunities to make connections in their local area, Yogarise in Peckham very kindly chose South London Cares as their Charity Partner in August. Throughout the month, all funds from their community classes - a give what you can class on Tuesday and Friday's - come straight to South London Cares.

So you can flex your muscles, and tackle social isolation amongst over 65’s at the same time. Pretty neat, right? 

But what does a community class look like? As a very novice yogi (think at home videos, 20 minutes at a time, shaking as I hold poses) I was quite nervous about heading along to Yogarise to check the class out. Surely my inflexible body would raise eyebrows from fellow participants. Was I good enough to join? 

I needn't have worried. As soon as I entered the studio, I felt a wave of calm ride over me. The smell of incense, the sound of soft music and copious plumped, coloured cushions created an immediate peace – particularly so after heading to the studio via stuffy, crowded tubes. I was met by the lovely Jess, who directed me to the class with a warm smile.

The class itself was led by Dave. I liked him straight away. He began the session by encouraging us to clear our minds. To breathe out our stresses. To dedicate the next hour to ourselves. How often do you have permission to be so beautifully selfish in London? 

We then began what was quite a dynamic yoga class. We flowed quickly from one pose to another, using our breath to find stability and calm. We were encouraged to smile, and to listen to what our body could do. This wasn’t about “nursing the ego”. And indeed, there were times that I had a wobble, or found my hands sliding away from me on the mat (it was an exceptionally warm evening!), and I quickly looked around me to see if anyone was scorning my practice. And they weren’t. If anything, there was a supportive energy to the class. There were all levels of yogis in the room, each one concentrating on what worked for them, not trying to impress. 

An hour passed very quickly, and as we came to the end of the class, I felt so relaxed and at peace. Taking an hour for myself was utterly refreshing. And then I realised that this was the same feeling I had after a South London Cares social club, or when visiting my Love Your Neighbour match, Richard. I felt totally restored. 

We should never underestimate the power of being kind to oneself. It’s easy to get caught up in London’s vibrancy, it’s rush and it’s drive. But actually pressing pause on the ‘party’ is important. Otherwise, you miss the moments that make life worthwhile – the beauty in the every day, kind gestures from loved ones, and those genuine connections with both your neighbours and yourself. 

We’re really chuffed to be supported by Yogarise this August – by a local business who’s values are so close to our own. Thanks to their support, we’re able to ensure that otherwise isolated older neighbours in Peckham and beyond have the opportunity to share friendships, company and laughter with their younger neighbours. Thank you to Yogarise for their generosity this month. 

You can head down to one of Yogarise's community classes and support South London Cares until Tuesday 30th August. 

The partnership with Yogarise Peckham was thanks to fantastic volunteer Jasmine, who nominated us to be their Charity Partner this month. If you think your business could support South London Cares in a similar way, please email Emily. We'd love to hear from you!