yoga
a shakti inspired path of yoga to nourish a woman’s essence
An introduction to Yoga
Much has been and is being said and written about Yoga.
The abundance of information seems endless,
which can be both helpful and confusing.
Therefore, I want to keep it here with a short, essential introduction,
giving an overview of the branches that I am trained in and that I work with,
as well as sharing my perspectives on yoga specifically for women.
The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit and can be translated as: union, connectedness, oneness.
In short, Yoga is about remembering our own true essence (as the essence of and in everything) and to nurture and strengthen the connection with it,
cultivating our presence to it.
It is a holistic system of self-care and spiritual development.
The foundation for this forms the understanding that nothing exists separately from each other; everything is interconnected, alive and intelligent, constantly changing and evolving.
From the biggest galaxies to the tiniest parts of atoms, from our physical bodies to thoughts, emotions, and intuition, everything is an eternal dance of energy and consciousness.
We are part of this intelligent cosmos, interwoven with it (if we realise it or not).
Yoga talks here about different layers of reality that exist simultaneously and penetrate each other.
Over many thousands of years, humans discovered and developed all kinds of practices and techniques to cultivate their awareness for these different layers, to work consciously with them, and to live in alignment with the cosmic intelligence and eventually merge with it, dissolving back into it.
So, Yoga is way more than a philosophy or physical exercise.
It is a way of living, being, and becoming, a path that wants to be lived and experienced wholly.
Only then can we truly start to understand it.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a collection of practices which use body, breath, and mind to cultivate spiritual awareness.
It is one of the most commonly known and taught branches of Yoga.
Even I received my first training mainly in Hatha Yoga.
It can be a good point to begin with because of its tangible approach to spirituality and wellbeing, starting with our physical body and breath.
Ha refers to the sun, Tha to the moon.
These terms are describing two polarities (within and around us)- seemingly opposite forces which actually complement each other:
light/darkness, masculine/feminine, left/right brain hemispheres, sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system, yang/yin, the nadis (energy channels) pingala/ida…
Hatha Yoga aims to harmonise these polarities within us.
Using Asana (physical posture), Pranayama (breath and energy work), Mudra (gestures) and Bandha (locks), our system is getting cleared and strengthened.
Through this process, we gradually become more receptive to more subtle layers of our being.
Originally, these practices were meant to prepare for deeper experiences of meditation.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is simply relaxed being, being without any effort.
Conscious resting.
Nidra means sleep in Sanskrit and Yoga Nidra is being translated in many variations:
yogic sleep, Yoga of sleep, sleep of Yoga,…
It describes a technique of meditation and deep relaxation, that is mostly practised while lying down, eyes closed.
Body and mind being guided into calmness.
The senses withdraw, only hearing and feeling stay active.
From the outside, it seems as if nothing is happening.
While the body rests in a sleep-like state, the mind stays awake and aware on the inside.
Here a lot can be resolved and cleared from the subconscious.
But instead of trying immediately to analyse or name whatever it is that comes up, it is simply welcomed and allowed to flow.
Simultaneously to this, many restorative and harmonising processes are happening in the physical body which occur naturally in states of deep rest and relaxation.
Yoga for women
As wonderful as Yoga can be,
There is a very important point that is often missed:
Most of the commonly known and offered Yoga practices and texts have been developed by men for men in established patriarchal systems.
So they don’t necessarily address, support and/or honour the unique female physiology and psychology of a woman and her true needs.
Often times the contrary is the case, causing even more disconnection from our feminine nature.
Much damage and harm has been created (and is still being created) through inappropriate guidance based on half-knowledge, dogmatism, ignorance and/or power abuse.
So it is vital to remember:
Anatomy, hormonal system, brain structure and nervous system of a biological woman are different to those of a biological man.
Profound experiences such as menarche, menstrual cycle, female orgasm, miscarriage, abortion, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation and menopause are shaping our reality of life significantly (of course not all women have all of these experiences).
On top of these natural experiences come 5,000 years of patriarchy that made it really difficult -sometimes life-threatening-dangerous- to cultivate a healthy, compassionate, loving relationship with our own body-mind-soul-self (as well as with our fellow sisters around) and to claim our own powers and gifts.
For us women turning to Yoga, it is not about stepping on the path of a yogi -that is a male yoga practitioner- and blindly following a male-dominated lineage or ideal.
Instead, we are invited to walk the path of a Yogini -a woman practising yoga- guided by the living Goddess within and around us.
Practising and living Yoga in a way that truly honours and nurtures our feminine being, intuition, cyclical nature and body wisdom, to support us to live in alignment with her.
How I work - a Goddess inspired approach to Yoga
In my work as a yoga teacher, coach and spaceholder for women, it is my intention to strengthen the connection to our true self -in body, mind and soul.
To remember the sacredness, wisdom, beauty and power embedded in the rhythms and cycles within and around us.
This is Shakti, the intelligent life force, the living Goddess with infinite names and faces.
We are learning to integrate this consciousness into our bodies and daily lives, to embody her.
Our body is not only a tool for that, it is a manifestation of this cosmic intelligence and our wise companion, that makes it possible for us to experience this life.
Sessions are composed of selected practices from Hatha Yoga and Yoga Nidra combined with more intuitive, free-flowing forms of movement and expression.
Guided and carried by specific topics that want to be contemplated, expressed, and listened to.
These sessions are rituals to honour our being and becoming as women
in a sacred, safe space.
Weaving together movement & stillness, introspection & creative self-expression, honest sharing & deep listening in a circle of sisterhood.