It’s far from Yoga I was reared!
by Rhea Peel
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Work outs in my house were the chores, walking to the supermarkets (and walking back laden down with a weeks’ worth of shopping),  playing outdoors, the odd time going with your mam to that weird aerobics class in the church hall, or attempting to follow her Jane Fonda cassette tape… yes… cassette tape, not even a video!

Yoga was not a word I would have heard growing up, and certainly didn’t seem to feature in the society around me.
It seemed to me that yoga exploded into existence some time in my teens. Now, I know that it has existed for thousands of years, but not in my little world. Even when it did start edging into the corners of the society I grew up in, it was regarded with a great degree of scepticism and a nice helping of ridicule!

It was something that was just for bendy, wealthy, ‘yummy mummy’s with too much time on their hands -  (also, side note, I’m a mother now and there is no such thing as a mother with too much time on their hands, there could never be enough!) - or those with hippie notions that just came back from their gap year in India with baggy pants, and a new religion.

I’ve since learned that yoga was first popularised in the west as early as the 1920s, and 30s, with yoga gurus and their disciples bringing the knowledge with them as they emigrated to the US, and Europe – however,  it was still a small niche, nothing like the booming trend we see today.

Through my teens, and early 20s I engaged in no formal exercise, people that formally worked out, went to classes, or certainly, did YOGA, were a different breed from me… surely?

It was then recommended to me as part of my recovery programme for mental health, and it had a lot of coverage in popular media at the time. Celebs were shooting off to Ashrams left right and centre, and yoga studios were popping up in places where they would have been laughed out of town previously.

I still felt that it just wasn’t for me. It’s funny how we’re brought up with certain ideas about what is ‘for us’ and what isn’t. The truth is you can try anything, well you know, within reason and legality, and if you like it – hooray, it is for you!

I read a bit about it, looked at a few DVDs and instructions, and just huffed and puffed… and pushed it away. Just LOOK at those people, they look like ballerinas, and contortionists! Their bodies bend like pipe cleaners, and they don’t even break a sweat, no, no, that’s NOT ME.

The rise of YouTube was a phenomenal help in my personal journey with Yoga - doesn’t that even seem like such a notion ridden thing to say - (hello internalised judgements) - but there it is. YouTube is brilliant, you can now find any number of people – all different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and of different levels of abilities, engaging in yoga, and instructing.

My personal favourite is Yoga with Adriene, I find her tutorials easy to follow, and she always offers alternative movements for different levels of mobility. I also love Jessamyn Stanley – she has absolutely smashed the stereotypes around what kind of ‘body’ you need for yoga. Then there is Dean Pohlman over at Man Flow Yoga – an impressive athlete and yoga instructor, and the fabulous Ben Clark at Adapt to Perform, proving that a wheelchair is no barrier to enjoying yoga; Age is also no excuse, which was beautifully shown by the late Tao Porchon – Lynch, who was still teaching classes aged 98!

It’s so accessible, with such a variety of teachers, and types of yoga practice to choose from, and we have an absolute wealth of information on its benefits.

Yoga can help improve: posture, joint pain, balance, heart health, mental health, sleep, muscle strength, and self-esteem – just to name a few! It is incredibly useful in the treatment of high stress levels, trauma, and anxiety.

The powerful impact that a yoga practice can have on individuals has been recognised widely at this stage, and we see it being employed at so many levels of society. It has been used in education, as therapy for those with additional needs, in prisons, even by NASA, and the US military, the list goes on.

And me, personally? I love it. It is such a relaxing contrast to the HIT workouts, or aerobics classes – although yoga can be intense too, whatever your preference – I find it gives me space in my mind, and I feel, tangibly, the space it creates in my body. It is also so encouraging to see improvement, you’ll do a pose one way, and maybe get frustrated that you can’t go further, only to find that as time goes by – doing nothing more than carrying on, breathing deep, and following the instructions – suddenly, you can!

I remember my friend showing me her ‘crow pose’ a few years ago. My immediate reaction, again, was ‘no, no, not for me – I’ll never be able to do that’ – it looked impossible! Yet, a year or so later, and at the time improving by also attending physical yoga classes in my locality (how’ya mammy, too much time on your hands?) – I did it. No, it wasn’t perfect, it may not have looked impressive, but I did it, and it was good enough for me.

 I also have to give a big thumbs up to doing yoga outdoors, there is a totally different energy, and life to it – if you can find a peaceful spot outside, even just the back garden – or on the beach, or in a forest if you’re feeling adventurous (and if lockdown ever ends, yawn!).

Trust me, you’ll know exactly what I mean. I also highly recommend the Leguano shoes as an option for outdoor practice – Yoga for me is a barefoot activity, it’s the best way to enjoy it and feel the feedback from your body – but if you are an outdoors yoga enthusiast, these are the perfect fit. You get almost the same feedback as being totally barefoot, and 100% of the same mobility, whilst protecting your precious feet from the elements, and no need to cart your yoga mat with you!
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Speaking of equipment, for Yoga you need very little! All I have is a simple mat, two blocks, and a strap. I would always recommend investing in a good mat – as this helps protect your knees, hips and other areas when practising indoors, on hard floors. Also, the blocks, and straps, are quite cheap to pick up, and will last years!
I thought Yoga was, well, just a notion! My mind has been permanently changed, and if this inspires even one person to get on the mat, I’ll be delighted. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, just find  the practice, and the instructor, that works for you.

The Leguano Production Story

We often get asked about the price of our products – and yes, we totally get it, they are at the higher end! The fact is, that unfortunately, you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to clothes, and shoes.

Leguano was founded in 2004, the brainchild of long-distance runner, and journalist, Helmuth Ohlhoff – in Sankt Augustin Germany. Helmuth’s vision was not only to create a running shoe that supported the natural movement and development of the feet, but also, to create a shoe of superior quality, and produce them in Germany.

Leguano were not designed by a fashion designer, but rather, by professionals in sport, who knew first-hand the down sides of standard running shoes on their health, and sporting activities. The experience and expertise that has gone into their design is so far beyond your average shoe.

A large number of shoes on the international market are mass produced, and the goal is to keep costs low, and production levels high. Helmuth blazed a new trail, re training local people in the art of hand crafting, and sewing, to realise his dream - of a more sustainable, high quality, artisan product. Hand made takes time, precision, and our workers are paid a fair wage!

Leguano shoes have been hand made in Germany since 2004, and still are to this day, in a town called Buchholz in the Westerwald, a region between Cologne and Frankfurt. Their materials are also sourced in Germany. We all know that ‘German made’ is synonymous with ‘well made’ – they are market leaders in quality production.

Many models of the Leguano are made of a specially selected textile, this is woven in one fluid piece, eliminating unnecessary seems and disturbance to the feet. They are flexible, breathable, but they are also humidity resistant.

Most of our shoes are made from microfibre – a combination of polyamid, elastan, lyocell and/or polyester. Some, the Demin for instance, include large percentages of cotton (70%).

The sole is our own patented design, made from LIFOLIT, a rubber composition. This is the only element of the shoe that is made by machine, for ultimate durability. They are non-slip, super flexible, and resistant to modern daily life.

High quality design, high quality materials, handmade, and all of the materials sourced within Germany, this is their ethos, and it is a commendable one!

One of the major milestones in the Leguano story was the opening of the first barefoot shoe store in Bad Zwischenahn in 2013. Now there are 180 stores throughout Germany, and providers throughout the EU and worldwide – from Ireland to China, and Australia!

This just goes to show the growing movement toward wearing barefoot shoes, and the unquestionable success of the brand.
Now several years into development, Leguano shoes give the wearer their full range of motion, whilst still providing year-round protection from the elements, and dangers of modern life. The upper material is designed to hold in heat, whilst not causing any restriction to movement. They are also machine washable, so no need to fret about messy excursions!

What price do you put on your physical health? This is really the question we should also be asking ourselves – what will years of back pain, hip pain, knee pain, cost you in the long run?

We have several articles in the blog that go into more detail about the benefits of barefoot shoes, and I would urge you to give them a read.

They are suitable for everyone, from childhood to old age. They are also suitable for many foot shapes and sizes, due to their flexibility.

Whether walking the dogs, climbing mountains, doing yoga, parkour, or just the daily shop – Leguano stands up to the challenge, every time. Instead of needing 10 pairs of shoes for different activities – and having to replace them on a regular basis – your Leguanos are a sound investment piece, that will also protect your physical well-being.
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Our production story is one of expertise, ethical thinking, and a focus on health and well-being, and personally, I think they are worth every penny (and my once cranky knees, well, they are in full agreement!).
 
 

By Rhea Peel

Mental health has been a hot topic for the last few years – awareness of the various mental health issues, and struggles, that people face, and the many ways to access help, and treat them.

I’ve experienced mental health issues since my early teens and understand only too well how they can impact your life. I say this not to garner sympathy, but because personally I hate to hear someone’s opinion on something they have not experienced – it’s like the midwife with no children telling you she knows it hurts, but you can do this, when you’re in labour – no love, you’ve really got no idea!

In my teens and early twenties I blindly struggled through, not even aware at times that what I was experiencing was a health issue – just believing that, that was who I was, and this was how my life would be. Exercise was not something that factored in my life – apart from maybe hours spent on dance floors – even then myself and my good friend, who made it a point to go out, and go dancing at least once a week – used to say how much better we felt after it, for days after. Back then we thought it was just the thrill of getting out, now I think maybe it was more to do with the vigorous dancing that ensued!

As I started to access treatment for my mental health in my mid-twenties and onwards, exercise was recommended to me often; Yoga, walking, swimming – go and join a fitness class etc. At first, I think all I heard, was that I must be lazy. When your self-esteem is already low, when you already spend time feeling useless, and severely lacking in  motivation – all I could hear was that I was lazy, maybe if I wasn’t I would feel better. It felt like an insult – just another person telling me that my illness was my fault.

I had also been exposed to media, and people, that peddled the trope that depression was a cop out, a laziness, an unwillingness to engage and get better. I had one good friend, who before they met me and saw my issues first-hand, had honestly thought that ‘mental health issues’ were just an excuse for people not to work. He used to work in social welfare payment processing, he now works as a mental health nurse – says it all really.

I was blessed to then get a counsellor, and a GP, that I clicked with, after many futile attempts and bad fits – this is also something I would say to those of you trying to engage with therapy, and treatment – don’t get disheartened.

I know that it’s much easier said than done, I really do, but if the first attempts don’t work out, keep going if you can, the right method or clinician could be around the corner.

Myself, and my counsellor, connected on a personal level, and when she spoke to me about yoga, and exercise it didn’t feel so harsh, or belittling, I knew this was from personal experience, and I trusted her, and her view of me.

I also began to understand, with maturity, treatment, and as mental health came under the spotlight, the science behind it.
Exercise causes the release of endorphins into the brain, they are a type of messenger, a transmitter that on a physical, chemical level reduce our feelings of stress and pain. It also causes the release of dopamine – which I think most people have now come to know as one of the ‘happy hormones’. Dopamine also plays a crucial role in many areas of our mentality – affecting our ability to sleep, focus, feel motivation, and on a physical level it can help regulate our heart rate and blood vessel function.

Exercise causes the release of norepinephrine, another hormone/neurotransmitter (or brain messenger) this plays a crucial role in the use of memory, emotional regulation, sleep, focus and attention span.

It also causes the release of Serotonin, this chemical is essential to our mood regulation, gut health, sleep and, on a physical level, can affect our ability to heal from wounds, and our bone health. This is only a small snippet of the functions of these chemicals and hormones, the full list of their necessity and their effects is amazing. I’ll include some links below for further reading.

I always hated the phrase ‘it’s all in your head’ – again it feels insulting, like you are making up your illness – but if we look at the chemical make-up that actually impact our mood and emotions, it is all going on in our head – in our brain, the balance and release of all of these various chemicals that create and maintain our mood on a hormonal and physical level.

Of course, and I know only too well, environment, trauma and experience can cause these initial imbalances, and can be terribly difficult to overcome. Also some people, on a biological level, just don’t produce enough of these chemicals, and will need some form of medication to get them started on their journey to better mental well-being, and maintenance of the same – myself included. There is zero shame in this, we didn’t get to choose our beginnings, or our initial brain chemistry, but we can choose to change it.

Instead of feeling insulting – now it feels empowering – to know that I can take physical action, that then results in physiological, hormonal, and chemical changes within my own brain. I didn’t fully believe it myself, until I started doing it.

I also understand the vicious cycle – it takes motivation, focus, etc to change, and begin action, and if these are already lacking on a physical, chemical level how do you begin? For me, the initial boosters were medication, therapy and educating myself through various books, and media on mental health. I was also blessed to be around others who had similar experiences and understood me. I then also, initially, just started going for walks, nothing heavy. I also later added wrist and ankle weights to this.

I can’t speak for others, all I can say is keep going, keep trying things, don’t give up, and believe me, that this is a physical illness, as well as mental, and like anything from a broken leg, to an infection – it can be treated to improve your life experience.

I also think, and I’m no anthropologist, that in an evolutionary sense, our bodies are wired for movement. Movement and action were so crucial to our survival for hundreds of thousands of years. If we wanted food, we had to find it, hunt it, or grow it. If we wanted access to water, we had to find and collect it. If we wanted to travel, we had to walk, run, swim, and climb over vast swathes of land. Our shelters were self-built, our clothes self-made.

In todays society, and I don’t think it is any coincidence that we have seen such a rise in mental health issues – of course this is also partly due to more accurate diagnosis and information – but we don’t have to be especially active to survive.

If we want water, in large parts of the world, we turn on a tap. So simple. If we want food we drive, largely stationary, to the shops, a 20-minute walk around and drive home again. So many of our jobs now are desk based, stationary for 6 or 8 hours a day.  Someone else makes our clothes, builds our shelter.

Not only does this impact our chemical make-up, but it also affects our sense of achievement and capability. So, for many, we must choose to move, to be active, and stimulate the release of these chemicals.

My personal choices are yoga (thought to be especially helpful in the treatment of trauma), swimming, occasional HIT workouts, and walking/running (I say running, it’s a mild jog, but that’s ok!). I also have a fitness peddler that I can use whilst watching TV in the living room if the mood takes me (Not as often as it should!). I’ve also recently taken up knitting, I think any movement at all, when you would normally be stationary, is beneficial, and adds to our feelings of well-being.

I also recently invested in some ‘barefoot’ shoes – I’ve been reading more and more, about the physical benefits, and clearly the physical affects the mental. I think once again, too, that it brings us closer to our roots as natural humans, we were thousands of years barefoot, or minimally shod, now our feet, and therefore our gait, are forced into all kinds of unnatural positions and shapes – surely this can’t be good for us either.

There is also new research into the effects of running barefoot on our brain function, specifically our memory, I’ll pop a link to a piece on that also. Unfortunately, our environment often prevents this, with all the dangers our feet encounter – barefoot shoes are the perfect middle ground.

In these difficult times we find ourselves enduring, restricted to our homes, and no clear end in sight, I think exercise, and physical activity is more crucial than ever. Even our normal jaunts – out dancing at the weekend, a swim in the local pool, a walk around several shops on a day out with friends – are withheld from us.
Invest in yourself, invest in fitness products – dumbbells, a yoga mat, a running belt that means you can listen to music whilst you go for a walk, an exercise bike that means you are moving whilst watching corrie. Get yourself some snazzy workout clothes – I always feel different when I get out of the dressing gown and into my workout gear. It’s the same as putting on your uniform for school, or work, it affects our mindset, and indicates we are changing mode.

I know that there are many things we can do without equipment – and of course they are valid too – but sometimes making that investment, and having a physical piece of equipment can also drive us to make use of it. Especially if we can watch telly at the same time, or listen to our favourite podcast.
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I hated hearing, for so long, that if I took up exercise I would feel better – and if this whole piece has just made you feel the same way – I challenge you to this; Whatever you’re doing right now, if you’re able, – stop – get out of your seat, or off the loo, or out of bed and just run or jump on the spot, vigorously, for 30 seconds. Then come back and tell me…. did it change the way you felt?


Links for further reading on the chemical components:
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine#1
https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/norepinephrine
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin#functions
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/exercise#Exercise-and-brain-chemistry
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep#:~:text=Exercise%20Decreases%20Insomnia,to%20medical%20treatments%20for%20insomnia.
Link – Barefoot Memory Function
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/barefoot-running-might-improve-your-memory-you-still-probably-shouldnt-do-it/