Yoga For All In South London, Abroad & Online
Hi guys, here is my yoga journey!
Yoga became part of my life from the moment I discovered it. At the time, I was in search of a physical practice which could offer relaxation and a good work out. What I found is a sacred and unique place where I could accept my strength and flaws.
My intention ?
Bringing yoga practice to your everyday life
Cleansing your body/mind/heart
Yoga believes in transforming the individuals before transforming the world.
Swami Satchidananda.
Teaching Yoga
In 2015, I completed a 200h Yoga teacher training in Vinyasa Flow with Yoga London in order to share this practice with others.
I offer balanced and varied classes incorporating meditation, yogic philosophy & mindfulness.
At the heart of the Vinyasa practice is Prana (our breathing, our expanding energy) which plays an essential role in my classes. I'm also inspired by martial arts such as QiQong and it is often introduced to highlight the importance of flowing and moving energy.
In 2019, I pursued my training with The Yoga People to explore Yin & Rocket Yoga.
Yin has been a profound discovery that has encouraged myself to tune body and mind through surrendering - allowing me to witness my body's language and its sensations without applying any physical force in a pose. Yin takes you beyond the physical postures.
Rocket Yoga is very different though. This style created by Larry Schultz (who learnt it from Pattabhi Jois) is derived from Ashtanga yoga. It has an intense and rapid flow which moves you through inversions (head/forearm/hand stands) and back bends. It is fun and takes you quicker to advanced poses because Schultz truly believed that all students should get access to all poses.
Teaching Yoga is a real source of joy and self-learning.
I am constantly pleased to witness how yogis grow & get a better understanding of themselves by its powerful benefits. Yoga provides many tools to broaden your horizons and experience a healthy life full of awareness.
Let’s start the journey.
Creating Space
I undoubtedly recognize this ancient tradition and its values, but I never thought it would blend so effortlessly into my everyday routine.
My previous jobs were time-consuming and self-care wasn't a priority for me. It was a challenge to create space for quality time for my inner self. And to be honest, I wasn't sure how to nourish it or how to start.
For a while I even thought it was selfish to take time out. It was actually about allowing myself to take that time off. Right now my fitness and yoga routine are a priority and a non-negotiable.
Yoga helps me to find insights and to grow. With my yoga practice I have found a healthy ego and I feed it on a regular basis.
However, the days without answers are always going to happen. Life and its storms does not spare anyone. However, these are the days where silence and a reflective practice is a golden gift. In my opinion, these are the days for meditation when all you have to do is listen.
In those moments, listen to what is happening within yourself. No need to amplify a thought or emotion, and react impulsively. On the contrary, be with it. Simply breathe through it. Simply feel. I believe serenity awaits you there. As Eckhart Tolle says "stillness speaks".
You are the window through which you must see the world.
What do you see ?
Yoga does not ask you to be more than you are. But it does ask you to be all that you are.
Brian Kest
Mind Stuff
The so-called crazy monkey in reference to our minds is a fact. Our perpetual reality.
What can we do about it ?
In his Yoga Sutras, Patanjali refers to it as 'mind-stuff'. He also mentions 'maya' which is translated as illusions.
To my understanding the mind-stuff and maya are mental distractions that we create. When our thoughts and emotions are overwhelming they influence negatively or positively our perception of reality.
They might even prevent us from living in the present moment. Not being present takes us closer to our tipping point.
That's why a healthy routine is important. Not essential but important because taking care of yourself matters.
Develop a gentle, fun and clear one. Something that is you, something which reflects who and what you are. For me it is Yoga; but not only.
Find yours and invite every day to be a new move towards mindfulness and establishing a fixed pattern.
A structure to train and rejuvenate mind and body until it becomes second nature.Only then it belongs to you. And only then an exploration of full self-expression begins.
It doesn’t get easier. You naturally become stronger, more resilient & more comfortable with your strengths and imperfections.
What do you get ?
Introspective fun !
With introspection, Yoga has invited me to keep an eye on several layers of myself : my emotions, thoughts, needs & desires.
Additionally, Yoga is fun! It is a constant reminder not to take yourself too seriously and be humble of your achievements & failures.
A final word…
A friend once told me – the question isn’t why is it hard to practice but what stops you from practicing. What is getting between you and your mat? Because, yes, it does come down to you sometimes, and only you - In Yoga but in life too.
In short, start to observe what you are. Notice, feel and experience. Acknowledge, accept and let go.
Expect each practice to be different, as are you every day. Yet it is an opportunity to grow and change, not repeat certain patterns. Yoga is an alternative response that leads to the inner world within each individual.