Published on 15 April 2020

Onkaparinga at Home: Keeping active

Now, more than ever, it’s important for us to do things that help us to cope and maintain good mental health.

It’s hard to escape news and discussions about coronavirus, and combined with self-isolation, a range of emotions, including stress, worry, anxiety and low mood can result.

Staying active is an important part of looking after your mental health, and thankfully there are still a range of local ways you can exercise – and reduce stress – despite the social distancing restrictions.

“Physical movement, be it yoga, going for a jog, a walk on the beach, any exercise that keeps your mind focused on the activity, is healthier for the mind and body than getting lost in the COVID-19 black hole,” says Jem, owner of Old Noarlunga-based yoga studio, Yoga with Jem.

“Yoga practice focuses on slowing down the movements, so you can draw inwards to find information from our physical self. By applying conscious breathing to our physical workouts, we can shift any negative thoughts, feelings or energy in our bodies that doesn’t serve us.”

Under current Federal Government rules you can still go out for personal exercise in the neighbourhood, on your own or with one other, if you’re practising good hygiene and social distancing.

But businesses like Jem’s that offer in-person classes have been hit by the government’s strict social distancing rules, forcing many studios, gyms and personal trainers to get creative and begin broadcasting online classes to lounge rooms across the south and beyond.

“I thought I was technologically inclined, but I’m slowly figuring out I’m actually a bit of a dinosaur,” Jem laughs.

“I’m still learning how to stream classes online without any glitches and it feels like every day something challenges me.

“What’s been great to know is that we’re all doing it one day at a time, and knowing that most students on the other side of the screen are also learning.

“Students have been very supportive and understanding with transitioning our classes online. We’re all helping each other out and adapting together, which has been a nice way to have social connections, being dinosaurs together.

“Taking classes online has created an even wider range of community. I have friends from back home in Canada joining me or students that have moved interstate or closer to the city joining. It makes me so grateful they can access their practice, and to be able to just say hi to them is so sweet.

“We’re just in the beginning stages of this pandemic and already I see such strong resilience in everyone, which is nurturing a potentially healthy outcome of this COVID-19 turmoil.”

Looking for more local businesses and council programs offering online classes? Peruse the list below and get your body moving.

Gyms, fitness centres and health clubs

Onkaparinga Youth

  • Get Fit in Iso class (for 16-25 year olds) – Monday 20 April, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
  • Mindful Minds class (for 16-25 year olds) – Thursday 23 April, 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Fitness instructors and classes

Yoga

Boxing and pilates

Tai chi

Self defence and martial arts

Do you have any tips for keeping healthy and active during COVID-19 restrictions? Leave a comment on our Facebook post.

This is part two of a series of articles titled Onkaparinga at Home, where we shine a light on how our communities are dealing with COVID-19.

To see what council services are currently affected by COVID-19, visit our community information page. For the latest information on COVID-19 in South Australia, please visit the coronavirus dashboardSA Health website or call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787.

Local yoga outlets such as Yoga with Jem (top images) and Sublime Yoga (bottom image) have begun offering online classes.