Antje Lewerenz teaches classical hatha yoga and as a freediving instructor she is specialised in breathing techniques. Originally from Germany, Antje has lived on Gozo for more than 15 years.

Today, she said that she would like to make people smile, laugh and think during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic – “Smoke and Yoge with Antje.”

Outdoor exercise is important

Outdoor exercise – low or high impact – is crucial to remain healthy. To boost the immune system, to stay strong. To calm down the agitated mind. To breathe deeply and clear the lungs. To help them to so the best job they can.

Has there ever been a better reason to exercise than now?

Fines for not wearing a mask

Currently, people are only allowed to perform exercise like jogging and cycling without a mask. For any other exercise we must wear a mask. Otherwise people risk a fine. Even though smoking is not encouraged, it not prohibited either. So while lighting and smoking a cigarette one can stay without the mask.

A sarcastic solution to the dilemmaThe solution to this dilemma between risking lung cancer and doing your bit for my health is: Smoke and Yoge! Have cigarettes at hand while exercising and simply light one if you prefer to exercise without a mask.

This makes you legal. And you save money! So easy! Join smoke and Yoge today and become one of the many happy and legal fitness junkies of the modern age!

Let’s get back to common sense

This sounds absurd, right…? According to the up-to-date health regulations this seems to be a valid options…

Please get me right: I neither want people not to smoke. That’s anybody’s personal choice and right and shall remain exactly this.

Just like eating your preferred food. Just like drinking your preferred drinks. Just like performing your preferred exercise. Just like breathing the way you prefer to breathe.

All of these rights must be guaranteed, unless I risk to harm somebody else.So if I am in a public space (outdoor or indoors) with people around me, where it’s difficult to keep a minimum safe distance, it seems to be very sensible to wear a mask in these days of the pandemic.

Luckily in Malta and Gozo we are blessed with beautiful outdoor spaces with loads of fresh air and space around us and to each other.

What is the point to force people to wear a mask here?

What is the point to fine people who are physically active, who keep themselves fit, strong?

What is the point to fine people who support their immune system?

Let’s unite

I see that we dig a big ditch between the people who fear the virus. And the people who take it (too) easily. Absurd regulations like to undifferentiated regulations of mask wearing create another ditch, where those fall into who simply fear the authorities.

I dearly hope this is not the aim of any authority in Malta…

Let’s close these ditches and gaps. Let’s move closer together again (not physically but mentally) and become stronger in consent. With common sense and regulations that people are willing to follow.

Ultimately that’s yoga: it means to unite.”

Antje Lewerenz – Gozo.

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