Keeping Healthy Through Flu Season

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Namaste,
We have now entered flu season in the southern hemisphere so we’d like to let you know the measures we are taking to care for your health while you are attending our programs and classes. Because our organization works in the field of healthcare, we take our responsibility to safeguard the health of our students seriously. Following are guidelines from the Department of Health and also tips from the yoga lifestyle for staying healthy. These are general guidelines only, please always seek appropriate medical advice for your particular situation.

Flu Symptoms

If you develop flu symptoms, please do not attend classes but stay home and rest until symptoms have stopped. Rest is very important for your health, by attending class you may tire your body and extend the length and severity of your illness. Let your body spend its energy healing.

Flu symptoms are:

  • Fever (temperature over 38 degrees Celsius) often associated with feeling chilled and shivery
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Dry cough
  • Tiredness
  • Trouble breathing

If you develop flu symptoms, please seek appropriate medical care. Important information is available here.

Yoga Mats

We will not be providing communal yoga mats at our classes. We ask that you purchase your personal sticky mat, there are several options available from various stores or we have mats available for purchase at our programs. By having your own equipment, you may also be more motivated to practice at home between class times.

Ventilation

We will be increasing airflow at our classes to increase the amount of fresh, energizing air you receive and also decrease the amount of time you are in an enclosed environment. For your comfort we will be using heaters to keep the space warm, we advise you to bring a blanket and some warm socks also.

Personal Hygiene

One of the most effective ways to protect you, your friends and family from the flu is to practise good personal hygiene. That includes regular washing of hands, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and staying at least one metre from anyone who is unwell. People who have the flu should not go to work or school or attend other public gatherings.

Always wash your hands:

  • after you’ve been to the toilet
  • after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
  • after being in contact with someone who has a cold or flu
  • before touching your eyes, nose or mouth and
  • before preparing food and eating.
  • after handling money

Yoga Hygiene

The science of yoga offers some unique personal hygiene practices. The practice of nasya (coating the inside of the nostrils with oil) lubricates the nostrils and prevents them from drying out and cracking in cold winter weather and air conditioned environments. Neti, saline washing of the nasal passages cleanses the nasal passages and assists in the prevention of respiratory illnesses.

Stay Healthy

Eat healthy foods (soups are excellent at this time of year, check out some of our healthy soup recipes), drink plenty of water and warm herbal tea, take your health supplements and get plenty of rest and exercise.

Thank you for helping to keep the Gold Coast a healthy place to live!