Every day of May 2026, I'll be leading a gentle morning yoga class on Zoom to raise money for the Lebanese Red Cross. And I would love for you to join me!

Monday to Friday: 7-7.30am BST | Saturday and Sunday: 9.30-10am BST

Link to join the Zoom classes: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/3778250934?pwd=m9VfE9di8zuNavHCA53uoBbBVAaOZf.1

Meeting ID: 377 825 0934

Passcode: 8bZjhg

Feel free to drop in for just one class or stick around for all 30! I only ask that you make a minimum £10 donation via this page across the month. (Please keep scrolling for more info about the classes themselves.)

Yoga not for you? You can still show your support by donating or sharing this page with friends and family - 100% of all funds raised will go to the Lebanese Red Cross.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of everything going on in the world right now - but I hope these classes can be a place of community and leave us feeling more present, hopeful and energised to keep fighting injustice ❤️

Thank you so, so much for your support x

Why the Lebanese Red Cross?

I've watched on in horror at the events unfolding in Lebanon in recent weeks. Israel - while continuing its genocide against the Palestinian people - has been deploying similar tactics in Lebanon: issuing large-scale evacuation orders, destroying civilian homes, targeting medical personnel in 'double-tap' strikes and laying claim to huge areas of the country.

Since 2 March 2026, Israel has killed at least 2,509 people and injured 7,755 people in Lebanon. Meanwhile, at least a million people have been displaced during this period.

And although a supposed ceasefire is now in place, the violence continues. On 6 May alone, Israeli strikes killed at least 13 people.

Devastatingly, what is going on in Lebanon has largely been ignored by the world - the news buried beneath headlines about increasing oil prices and political scandals.

But, despite more than 100 health workers being killed since 2 March, the Lebanese Red Cross has remained on the frontlines, providing ambulance services, blood support, healthcare, and relief assistance to people across the country.

Crucially, the Lebanese Red Cross is the main provider of ambulance services in Lebanon and operates the only national, non-sectarian emergency medical service.

Why yoga?

Ahimsa (non-harm) is a key principle of yoga and the practice is rooted in social justice and collective liberation. Because of this, it has a powerful history as a tool of resistance against British colonialism in India - which in turn inspired members of the civil rights movement in the United States.

Not only that but yoga can be a powerful tool for healing trauma and can have huge benefits for the mind and body.

I'm a trained yoga teacher and yoga is a big part of my life. So it would be a privilege to share this beautiful practice with you for such an important cause.

However, it's important to acknowledge that yoga itself has a devastating history of being colonised by those of us in the west - and that there are MANY incredible South Asian yoga teachers out there who are far more knowledgeable of this practice than me. So, if you enjoy these 30 days of yoga, I really urge you to explore the practice further with one of them. A few of my favourite teachers are Kallie Schutt, Angie Tiwari and Susanna Barkataki. You can also learn more about the harms of the western yoga industry in the amazing podcast Yoga is Dead.

What will the yoga classes be like?

These classes will involve gentle and slow movement (mostly sitting or lying down though with some standing), as well as meditation and breathwork practices.

Everything offered will be completely optional and I really want these classes to work for you. So, if that means having your screen off, turning up in your pyjamas or just lying down for the full 30 minutes, then that is absolutely fine!

Who will the yoga classes be suitable for?

People of all genders, ages and sizes - including beginners who have never taken a yoga class before.

Unfortunately, I may not be able to offer adequate adaptations for people with certain mobility concerns, visual and hearing impairments, some health conditions and some learning disabilities, due to my current limited knowledge and skillset. I also do not have training in pregnancy yoga or post-partum yoga.

However, I will do my best to accommodate individual needs as much as possible!

Not sure if this class is accessible for you or want to talk something through before joining? Please do get in touch at lauramackenzie25@gmail.com

What do you need for the yoga classes?

* Comfy clothes that you can move around in.

* A yoga mat, exercise mat or anything else that will provide a thin layer of cushioning between you and the floor e.g. a blanket, towel or rug. (Ideally nothing too slippy!)

* Cushions or pillows.

* Socks, jumper and a blanket to keep warm.

What will happen to your donation?

Unfortunately, the Lebanese Red Cross isn't signed up to JustGiving, which means the platform can't send donations directly to the organisation. Instead, all of the donations will be deposited into my personal bank account. Once the fundraiser has ended, I will transfer the total sum to the Lebanese Red Cross and post evidence of the transfer as an update on this page.