Movement, Connection and Stretching: The Good Chance Socials

A group of wonderful strangers - some newly arrived to London, some long standing residents - started meeting every Friday at the Young Vic Theatre to do yoga together, spending an hour each week giving our bodies a well needed massage and using our imaginations to pretend our spine was a big wooden spoon and we were moving in circles to mix a pot of curry or that we were lying on the beach somewhere sunbathing. We would then have tea and cake and homemade soup made by my mother as we shared recipes and stories, and learnt about one another’s families and cultures.

When lockdown started, yoga moved onto zoom and it has been running every week since. The commitment to come together, smile at one another and share time to be together (even though we cannot be in the same room) has been very special. During this time, we have welcomed new people into the group that have brought more life and laughter. No matter what the local or national new restrictions are, each week I am welcomed with smiles and a caring exchange of how everyone and their families are doing. The weekly meeting has become a staple and precious part of the week that remains just for us, whatever madness surrounds us at the time.

“Joining Emily’s yoga every week brings so much positivity to the group well-being particularly during the lockdown. I love joining yoga weekly because I have noticed good improvement with my physical flexibility and mood enhancement. Thank you, Good Chance and Emily, you are a great force for good and so much grateful for what you do for us.”

- Mernia, Good Chance Social Club member

“Thank you for giving me an opportunity to take part in yoga. I became more relaxed and organised by joining yoga every week. I get motivated seeing everyone and enjoy doing yoga as a group.”

- Elahe, Good Chance Social Club member

“My favourite part of the yoga on Zoom is the relaxation (Savasana) which involves us all lying on our backs in our individual houses and listening to the same piece of music. I feel that the shared engagement of listening to the same music whilst doing nothing else creates a connection that carries us into a space of being physically together again.

Doing yoga with this group has been so special as I can tell they do so much to look after their families, friends and communities, so for them to spend this time looking after themselves is really important and valuable.”

- Emily Orme, Good Chance Social Club volunteer and yoga instructor

Anyone is more than welcome to join our weekly socials. Come and meet new people, enjoy some stretching or join us on one of our distanced walks around one of London’s parks. Email us to sign up. It is free and everyone is welcome!