♡ It all started with yoga ♡
My spiritual awakening and healing journey undoubtedly began through Yoga. As many would say nowadays , a trend, and yet a very ancient practice not only for the body, but for the soul, an ancient practice of Wisdom for all aspects of life ...
I started practicing yoga in 2011, started giving classes in 2022 and then went for an official Yoga Alliance training in Rishikesh, India during 2023, at Yoga Living School, and earn the completion of a 200 hours TTYC as a multi-style yoga teacher (with an emphasis on traditional Hatha and Ashtanga).
My love story with Yoga
In mid-2011, I took another yoga class that would completely change my life. At the time, I was living in Paris and studying architecture. I was looking to find balance in my life. Often, the only moment of deep well-being I experienced was through yoga classes. It was just what I needed to eliminate toxins and start the day with pure energy or relax well before bed.
I fell in love with this practice when I discovered that it wasn't necessary to engage in high-impact activity to burn fat and have a toned body. Yoga gave me what I had always sought in my physical activities, but without the competitive or demanding component.
I began to have a different and very deep connection with my body.
I became aware of my breathing.
Meditation opened my mind in a transcendental way. Now everything seems much clearer; my neural connections are much faster and more effective.
Yoga is a practice where there are no defeats or failures. As you progress, your body adapts to certain postures that combine flexibility, muscular strength, and mental balance.
The classes were taught by a very dynamic, patient, and caring teacher. She listened to her students and closely monitored our progress.
I knew yoga would always be present in my life when I began to notice my body becoming lighter, my muscles strengthening, my mind clearer, and my life becoming more balanced in every way. Some postures (asanas) came very easily to me, probably thanks to my years of classical ballet, while others did not. What definitely motivated me to continue this practice was the day I finally progressed into a posture that I found very difficult to move and stretch. My body opened, my soul blossomed. My teacher, Julie, told me then that to achieve this, I needed patience. It took several months of effort, tolerance, and persistence: letting go to gain flexibility, discipline to gain strength, and motivation to be consistent.
These are the main benefits of yoga:
Lowers blood pressure and heart rate
Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
Improves self-esteem and self-confidence
Improves coordination and concentration
Promotes digestion
Helps you sleep better
Improves overall fitness and posture
There are many different types or styles of yoga. These range from gentle to more intense. Some of the most popular styles of yoga are:
Ashtanga or power yoga. This type of yoga offers a more challenging workout. In these classes, you move quickly from one pose to the next.
Bikram or hot yoga. A series of 26 poses are performed in a room with a temperature between 35°C and 37.8°C (95°F and 100°F). The goal is to warm up and stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and purify the body through sweat.
Hatha yoga. This term is sometimes used as a catch-all for yoga. It generally includes both breathing and poses. Initially, this yoga is used to prepare for the meditation ritual.
Integral. A gentle form of yoga that can include breathing exercises, chanting, and meditation.
Iyengar. A style that pays close attention to precise body alignment. It also allows postures to be held for extended periods.
Kundalini. Emphasizes the effects of breathing on postures. The goal is to release energy from the lower body so it can flow upward.
Vinyasa. This style adapts postures to each individual's needs and abilities and coordinates breathing and postures.
Don't know where to start?
Simply allow yourself to have a beginner's experience with love and tolerance for your body. If you have limited mobility, a gentle class will allow you to achieve something beneficial for your body. Increasing your level of practice class by class will allow you to gradually begin to see the results of this practice. You'll love it because it's gentle and easy, and it will give you the confidence to keep going. Afterward, you won't want to give up yoga, as small successes will motivate you to take on new challenges.
Want to learn more about yoga and meditation?
Send me an email or WhatsApp.
