About “in good spirit”

Feeling disconnected within mainstream yoga

Throughout my twenties I sporadically dropped in and out of yoga classes of jam-packed urban studios. All I knew about yoga was that it was meant to be good for my body and help me relax. Often, however, I felt out of place during and also very agitated by the classes I took.

Vinyasa flows and power poses had me frantically transition from one posture into the next, completely out of sync with my body and breath. It all seemed rather counter-intuitive: Encouraged to make sounds I wasn’t comfortable with, hold poses that seemed unachievable, perform headstands at the end of class, then lie still on my back for ten minutes, pretending to feel relaxed…

Even though I’ve always been physically active, I’ve never been very flexible. Nor have I the gift of a calm mind. Practicing yoga was a bit of a challenge, to say the least. Yet ever more people were happily joining the growing ‘Yoga Craze’. So I kept giving it a go to see if I too could discover its secret.

 

Discovering the depths of practice rooted in Himalayan tradition

It wasn’t until I travelled to Indonesia in November 2017 that finally the curtain fell, and I was introduced to the immense potency of tradition and spiritual practice. 

Of course it was a magical experience to sit in a spacious, open bamboo Shala, surrounded by the sounds of tropical birds, geckos laughing, monsoon rain showers falling heavily from the sky. I felt embraced by the humid warmth of Bali.

What truly struck me, though, was the holistic framework and depth of practice revealed to me by highly dedicated, professional teachers, who shared the wisdom of Sri Vidya lineage based tradition with conviction and competence. Embodying yoga on and off the mat, rather than performing poses to impress. Sharing from their core – from their heart and soul. Through them it finally struck me: Yoga is a complete practice, encompassing physiology, philosophy, psychology and spirituality.

 

Arriving ‘home’ through the holistic framework of yoga

Yoga is rooted in the system of Samkhya philosophy and speaks to the trinity of body, mind and soul. Witnessing the grace and precision of Karina Guthrie, the conviction and bold attitude of Octavio Salvado and the equanimity of Nikolas (Nik) Robson, inspired and empowered me to dive deep into a yoga practice that entail both physical and personal growth. Through their guidance, I continue to learn the art of holding space – both for myself and others.

Both yin yoga and traditional tantric hatha yoga have been my loyal companions ever since. By means of both, I have learned to hold myself accountable, have the confidence to show up as I am and allow myself to be seen.

Above all, practice has given me the gift of trust. Trust in myself, in others, and trust in the experiences that life offers each of us to explore. One of the most precious gifts in my life is the day I discovered the potency of spiritual practice. For that, I will always be grateful!