YOGA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A TOOL TO PROMOTE (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: in Brasil, Yoga was introduced in the country less than 100 years ago, through pioneer Caio Miranda. Despite not being so widespread, today it is already considered an Integrative Practice in Health that aims at the integral care of the human being. In Yoga, it is understood that pathologies that arise in the physical body can be associated with emotional weaknesses, as well as the psychological state can be changed by diseases of the physical body. In this sense, it was considered important to implement the practice of Yoga online, as a health promotion practice, in the current pandemic context. Objectives: to describe the health promotion experience with Yoga and its benefits during social isolation. Methodological Description: report of experience of regular practice of yoga, online, offered by an instructor to a fixed group of students. The sample consisted of 12 students, aged between 25 and 65 years, all at a beginner level as they had never practiced yoga regularly. Classes were synchronous and offered by the ZOOM platform, twice a week, from March/2020 to March/2021. Results: students report that Yoga has had positive impacts on their lives, increasing tolerance for social isolation, as well as reducing insomnia, anxiety, panic and chronic body pain. Some students went through family grief and reported that the practice of asanas, pranayamas and meditative practices helped in emotional control and in the process of coping with experiential grief. Four members of the group contracted COVID-19, with mild to moderate symptoms, and used meditation and breathing practice as a complement to medical treatment. Considerations: Teaching an Integrative Practice in Health, in times of a pandemic, contributed to these people being able to experience a new tool to search for physical and mental balance.