How many of us truly understand the profound depth of yoga—the practice that doesn’t just balances the body, quiets the mind but nurtures the soul and awakens our spirit to the higher realms of the eternal existence beyond the physical, beyond the seen.
Yoga has been my companion for over 16 years. It has grown with me, shifting from a physical discipline to a deeply spiritual journey.
Practicing yoga is like holding a mirror up — sometimes it shows me strength, other times vulnerability, whatever it may be - it brings me in touch with - where I AM in my NOW, what are my current needs, what are my current challenges, my energy levels, my emotional state - and how to best support myself along the fluctuations of life. Whatever way things turn out - Yoga always reminds me of my own resilience, flexibility and the ability to tune in, listen inwards, ground and connect with the inner voice; guiding me through the ebbs and flows of life.
Yoga as a Tool for Transformation
When I first stepped onto the mat as a young girl (13 years young), my experience of yoga was mostly about movement and physicality. I loved the feeling of stretching and testing my limits, and as many - i was hooked on the peaceful sensation after practice.. Luckily, my welcoming into the world of yoga, back in the days, happened through a soft hearted teacher who knew to fill up the room with the true essence of yoga; ************Love, Compassion, Empowerment &Healing****************
Over years of constant search and practice, following the call to become a teacher - obviously as a enhancement of my path, came an expansion of my understanding - my relation to the practice became so much more—a practice of self acknowledgment, realization and transformation.
With the help of the yogic tools i am navigating life’s challenges, from the uncertainties of my career back in the day, through the formation of independent businesses to the deeply personal moments of self-doubt, anxiety or fear.
I always talk about how different modalities - including yoga, chi gong, tai chi etc, are all designed to work with our etheric bodies, with the energy field and with the subtler layers of our being - aiming to cleanse blockages, balance and align back to resonance and center - this solely is one big achievement in our personal lives as humans - managing the quick changes and the flood of constant information of the modern times. Once you gain this amount of clarity, faith, courage, love towards all, full acceptance of your lower expressions; once you allow more of you have always been - to shine out - the magic of basic universal laws, starts to be activated in your reality, always conditioned in your state of being - how aligned, grounded & connected you vibrate, how aware of all emotions and thoughts you become? From the moment you discover this seat of growing awareness, this becomes the only place you would like to be acting from.
Yoga as a Tool for Emotional Development
Living for 10 years in several villages on different Greek islands, with its serene landscapes and quiet rhythms, has taught me to appreciate stillness. But even in such peaceful, quiet environments, and sometimes especially in such quiet and serene areas, nearby vast nature and wildlife - emotions can be well heard, which can be either overwhelming (if we choose to try to swap it under the carpet and move on as all good), either an invitation to dwell deep into the rising sensations, shedding more light, therfore more understanding and potential healing. ** I say potential healing, as my journey had shown me, that in some cases, with some traumas - aka; stuck energy - simply acknowledging wont be enough to release or activate whatever is asking for it. In such cases we do need to seek for some help, support and guidance. As a teacher i take part on a higher consciousness community on a regular basis, additionally to that, from time to time i indulge in coaching sessions, of course i have my personal practice which is my grounds for my day to day living. Once a year, a strong external experience takes me on deep internal flight. Lately sound therapy became a strong player in my releasing/activating inwards journeys. I mention both release and activation - as it is literally this type of experience for me, regardless of the specifics. Healing asks to let go of the past, the weight of heavy memories, looping thoughts, triggering smells / sounds / topics. Healing also asks to activate what sleeps inside us, the part in us that wants to come up front, get on the stage and shine brightly. Yoga has been my sanctuary, the place I turn to when my heart feels heavy or my mind restless. Through breath work and meditation, I’ve learned to acknowledge my emotions rather suppressing them. Yoga taught me to sit with discomfort, to honor it, and to let it pass. It’s in these moments on the mat that I’ve found much clarity, stability, softness, compassion, balance, connection, the real sensation of love - beaming through the cells of the body, forgivness and most importantly - gratitude - for all that is, the pleasant and the less. And yes, i have taken and still am and always will be taking Yoga together with me OFF the MATT. Walking, eating, dancing, talking, any thing we do is Yoga, as long as we do it in Unity - as 1 coherent unit, flowing with the rhythm of life. Another thing i always mention is - we all sense discomfort - when we split. When our body sits at one place, and our thoughts drift to another, when our emotion follow the thought to a mighty night, when out there sun is smiling. Therefore, it is not that much about what it is we are, but mostly about how it is we are?
Yoga as a Tool for Self-Realization
Yoga is a path that leads inward. Over the years of my practice, I’ve come to understand that self-realization is not a destination but a constant unfolding. It’s in the moments of -connect-, when my breath flows effortlessly, that I feel most connected to who I am. As I guide my yoga students through their practice, I am reminded of this truth: we are already complete. Yoga helps us see this clearly, stripping away the layers of doubt and fear that cloud our vision. From this point of view we can come closer in touch with what is. The more we observe the more we widen the range and spectrum of our sight - onto who we are, who we are not, why we came here, living life with purpose and clarity creates a new level of depth, meaning, satisfaction, drive and enthusiasm for life.
As a yoga teacher, I have the privilege, the honor and the responsibility of sharing this gift with others. Therefore, within the physical anchors and modalities of traditional Ha-tha practice, my passion is found in injecting empowering affirmations of love, compassion, forgiveness, gratitude, wholeness and ease. Each class is a chance to inspire, to create space for others to embark on their journey of transformation and self-discovery.
Yoga, is love—it is the art of balancing effort and ease, strength and surrender. It’s the ongoing practice of coming home to myself, again and again and forever after.
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