Experience Yoga with Marie-Anne at RYL: Marie-Anne's Schedule Marie-Anne's Upcoming Events | Tell me a little bit about your yoga journey from the beginning. I started yoga when pregnant from our first child. Since then I fell in love with yoga! After my pregnancy it took me a few years, and a move from The Netherlands, to find the teachers I loved to practice with. After an intense kickboxing injury, I found healing in yoga. It became my mentor and my guide in life. I was hooked and every morning I looked forward to another yoga practice! My body stayed strong, became more flexible, and I got to know my body so much better! That strong mind-body connection made me a big believer that yoga is the best you can do for yourself! Because of my love for a healthy body and mind, I chose an Ashtanga based Yoga Teacher Training with Jonny Kest. He and Rebecca Thieneman, who taught most of our training, transformed my life! What's it like to be a part of the RYL community? The RYL community makes me feel like a lotus flower. I can blossom here, supported by the love Gretchen brings with her beautiful self. She has surrounded herself with such wonderful and special yoga teachers and staff that make her studio even more welcoming and alive. Did you ever see yourself teaching yoga when you started practicing? When I started my yoga journey I never thought about teaching yoga, but I had always been very active in sports and had the wish to teach fitness classes. Gradually, when yoga became my lifestyle, I wanted others to experience how fantastic, balanced and wonderful your body and mind can feel. When did you know that you were called to teach? At the end of my yoga teacher training I felt euphoric; it was a sensation I had never felt so intense in my life. It changed my life and my world! The whole training became a transformation of my better self and that was the moment I heard “yes, I want to teach yoga." I want others to be able to feel this amazing too! What does yoga mean to you? Yoga means the world to me. It became my lifestyle! Yoga is always there at any time of the day. It creates so much happiness and acceptance. I meet wonderful new people to practice with every day. Through all this loving, healing and powerful energy, yoga is my guide in life. In the beginning it was just another form of exercise, but eventually it also became a time to let go of whatever kept my mind in overload. A time dedicated to regaining balance and energy. What is the most magical thing about yoga? Yoga has healing power through movement and breath unifying body, mind and soul. Yoga has the power to restore our body and mind. I have seen people recover from all types of injuries-- physical and mental. They regain their strength. It is able to transform and inspire you on and off your mat. You feel amazing, discovering and seeing the best in yourself and others. When I teach yoga, the most magical thing is when I am able to touch the hearts of the people in my classes. I get to see them happy, healthy and feeling good about themselves. Why do people especially need yoga in their lives? Yoga is connecting to your best self; a journey. Along the way you find something that resides in you-- inspiration. We all have power, and sometimes we need to find that spark of energy to experience how positive life can be. Yoga is a wonderful tool to release what obstacles are standing in your way. It is personal and individual, so everybody can practice with the body they have. You let go of your ego, as there is no comparison with the person next to you or in front of you. It is just you connecting to the present moment and taking what you learn and feel on your mat into your life. Yoga is healing in many ways. There is a strong connection between the body and consciousness. The inversions allow healthy blood flow into all areas of the body while the breath calms the nervous system, invigorating you at the same time. What aspect of yoga are you curious to learn more about? I feel I can still deepen my yoga practice on every level! Yoga is a journey that will continue every day of my life. I am intrigued by challenging asanas, the chakras, the breath and mudras. I would love to know more about Ayurveda and yoga. What is your favorite music to practice to, and why? Sometimes it is a song with lyrics like Alexi Mudoch's “Breathe;” it tells you to, “don’t forget to breathe.” “Oxygen" by Buddha Spirit is another one-- no lyrics, and the rhythm and music are fantastic. I love the music of “Enya," and the instrumental song of Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World." I really feel with more love and compassion we can make this world a better place, and it starts within ourselves! What 3 words would describe your life outside of your yoga practice? Energetic, centered and filled with love. What is your greatest guilty pleasure? Chocolate with almonds or hazelnuts-- dark, milk or white! Anything your students ought to know about you? A recent question from a students was, "can you laugh in yoga?" The answer is definitely “yes!" There is a lot to laugh about in this world, and in yoga happiness is the way! Come to class without expectations, practice with the body you have without comparing yourself to others. See what happens when you open your mind and body to yoga. I have a nursing background and a deep interest in holistic healthcare. I’ll guide you in detail, as I want you to do the poses so you feel the benefits! Creating a flexible, strong and healthy body and mind is a journey. Believe in yourself, accept yourself, find the courage to continue. Stay strong, keep coming to class and you will find balance, happiness and health along the way. I also do Thai Yoga Massages, which is deep stretching through specific yoga poses and massaging along “sen” lines and points. I massage on the Bio-mat, an infrared heat mat, for a healing and comforting experience. I’m a bodyART teacher as well, and a Yoga Sculpt teacher. |
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Welcome to Roswell Yoga Life's weekly dedicated space for health, happiness, and well being in the world of nutrition and wellness! It's our third official Wellness Wednesday and we're thrilled to be featuring a new, innovative topic! This week, we're exploring the magical qualities of vegetables in meat-free cuisine. Did you know that over 40% of our entire planet surface is dedicated to growing the crops and raising the animals we consume? Even so, over 30% of that space is for chicken and cattle! TIME Science Magazine recently published a startling article, filled with discoveries such as: Livestock production uses 1/3 of the entire planet's fresh water-- drink up? 75% of global emissions of toxic greenhouse gases come from raising cattle. The article does end on a positive note, including that the IIASA are working to reduce costly measures and reduce unnecessary waste. Though we believe in the power of intention and work, a simple and rapid way to ensure you're not contributing to the damage is to lessen your consumption of meats and animal products! Many yogis are vegetarian, as they follow the yogic diet free of dairy and animal meats. However, you don't need to let go of meat completely to boost your own wellness! Our recipe feature this week comes from two fantastic food bloggers, highlighting one of the most versatile vegetables in meatless dishes: cauliflower! Cauliflower has a unique consistency, making it great for: roasting, blanching, steaming, sauteing, marinating, mashing, and blending! Looking for a thickener in a dairy free soup? Use boiled, blended cauliflower! It also makes a great mashed potato substitute! BuzzFeed even got in on the fun with this super easy cauliflower hack video! Cauliflower contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, and Potassium, making it a fantastic addition to any healthy diet. Looking to make a unique meatless meal this week? We've got two irresistible options to try: Click the delectable photos above to snag these recipes! Enjoy all the benefits of reduced meat consumption without skimping on flavor!
Which recipe are you most excited to try this week? Let us know in the comments, and share your dishes with #roswellyogalife #rylwellnesswednesday on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
“Yoga is the unifying art of transforming dharma into action, be it through inspired thought, properly nurturing our children, a painting, a kindness or an act of peace that forever moves humanity forward.” -Micheline Berry With the arrival of a new year, we’re feeling excited about the potential for transformation in the next 12 months. New Year’s Resolutions, intentions, and goals are fresh on our minds and we’re ready to tackle our obstacles with strength and resiliency! The beauty of transformation is inherent in the process as well as the conclusion. Many of our most accomplished moments came from begrudgingly painful circumstances and unfortunate setbacks. Could it be that our exposure to the tough, the not so pretty, the devastating moments are what drive us to take that leap forward and push through? Just like a caterpillar, we are striving to find a place for our cocoon; the place where our transformation happens. The hard work comes in weaving the outer shell to protect us as we grow, change, and inevitably evolve into a new person; a butterfly. Reaching any goal can be incredibly difficult, and the payoff is greater than any challenge we may ever face. "We need to realize that our path to transformation is through our mistakes. We're meant to make mistakes, recognize them, and move on to become unlimited." -Yehuda Berg How does yoga play a part in transformation? It permeates the layers of our mind, body, and spirit to support and uplift when we’re undergoing the tough work of changing from caterpillar to butterfly. Being present on our mat, hands held up high, feet constantly moving forward, energy sprouting from our fingertips; it all becomes part of the journey. Each asana we practice centers our mind and relaxes our nerves to make room for joy and inspiration, which is the gasoline to achieving our goals and dreams. Think of your yoga practice like a stop at the gas station; in order to put forth energy in your life, you must take time for yourself to recharge and fill up the gas tank. It’s not just the transformation within that fulfills us, but the relationships we maintain throughout our journey that have the capacity to transform. “It seems as if [the yoga sutra's] wisdom just hang in the air preserved in time and space. So much of our world is more connected than ever, yet more superficial. It’s like our world is expanding outwardly, but we don’t take the time to expand inwardly.” Infinity Yoga owner Becky Nickerson emphasizes the role that community plays in a person’s personal transformation. “Today’s societal norms put so much pressure and anxiety in our daily lives that people really need a break; whether it comes from ancient texts, your yoga practice, or daily meditation, I think that the yoga community is a vital part of people’s lives and I am happy to contribute to that.” Allowing ourselves the opportunity to unplug from YouTube yoga sessions and get real on the mat with other human beings can radically change how we show up in our day to day lives. “The physical signs of success are not required for growth to occur, they are reflections of that growth along with intangible reflections, such as peace of fulfillment.” Once you’ve reached that finish line, crossed that last “to-do” off your list, or completed the final work out, the internal reward will remain long after the external feelings will. Yoga supports our lives with incredible rewards each time we are present on the mat, and will remain to so long as we give back what the practice continually offers to us. Explore your opportunities to transform this year at Roswell Yoga Life:
Yoga reaches all people at any age, size, disposition and physical location. The beauty in a regular practice captivates and supports those who frequently do yoga. For good reason, it continues to touch those who may not normally have the opportunity to access it.
We’re highlighting important and research based reasons that children need yoga, and why Kid’s Yoga is the next big thing for families all over the world! Check out our 5 reasons Kid’s Yoga is vital for health and wellness in little ones everywhere! Growing Bodies Need Support Children grow faster than boiling a pot of water! Their bones are frequently expanding and contracting to lengthen, muscles are growing, breaking apart and taking shape, and their organs are strengthening while their physical size continues to extend! Sounds like a tough job for a little one, doesn’t it? Yoga is the perfect practice for anyone at any age, however, it particularly benefits those who are elderly and those who are young because it focuses on musculature and tissues. While the body grows and changes, these areas may experience soreness or inflammation. Counteract any growth spurt pains in kids using asanas and yoga to support and help them stay strong and flexible throughout their lives! Happy Child, Happy Parents Every parent knows the beauty in a moment with a happy child. Whether it’s a good night’s rest, a loving smile, or sharing a favorite hobby together, happy children make very happy parents. Yoga can relax the mind and body to ensure that you are centered and feeling positive. Yoga Benefits Kids is a foundation dedicated to providing the strength, resiliency, flexibility, and personal growth that accompanies a regular yoga practice to children. While many of us appreciate the effects and benefits of yoga, children may need it the most! Stress of school, peers, growing older, and learning responsibility can weigh heavy on the lighthearted nature of a child. Deep breathing, stretching, and staying in the present moment provides a beautiful moment for quiet and relaxation. As your child prevents more stress during yoga, this makes for a pleasant and healthy child-parent relationship! Even better, practice alongside your little one to double the effects of this boost of positivity! Yoga Smarts = Book Smarts Research continues to show, in both children and adults, the incredible source of focus that yoga provides for those who practice it. Productivity reaches sky high levels when corporations introduce workplace yoga, because of the emphasis on the present moment. This same idea applies to all research done with kids who have experienced yoga. Their minds are calm, centered and relaxed. This frees up space and resources to expand and spend more energy on knowledge based activities. Yoga could turn homework nightmares into a beautiful dream! School performance is a common concern among parents, and yoga battles the discomfort of many children attempting to focus in school. Being in the present moment, a pinnacle theme of yoga, is the key to school smarts! Let their Imagination Run Free Children are equipped with one of the most powerful tools a person could have: a ripe imagination. Stories, art, dance, expression and speech are all ways that children use their imagination to learn more about themselves and the world around them. A traditional yoga class tends to focus on achieving the perfect pose and holding it while breathing deeply. Kid’s Yoga is set up a bit differently to nurture their imagination and allow them to express their lighthearted nature: Kid’s Yoga focuses on imagination, using plenty of language to spark ideas and images in the mind. Stretching and breathing are a main focus, but are not required to be “successful.” A child will never feel disciplined or wrong for practicing yoga, they will only be supported and encouraged. It’s About More Than Just Exercise Children frequently active with sports and school activities especially need a supportive yoga practice to protect and condition the entire body for an easy repair throughout life. This prevents any damage to the bones, muscles and nerves while lubricating the joints! Foundations like Yoga Benefits Kids gives children in all communities the chance to experience the one of a kind transformation through a yoga practice! While exercise is vital for overall health and wellness, integrating yoga themes and poses into your child’s life will keep their minds sharp and full of joy! |
About the AuthorKayleighWriter, energy healer, astrologer, nerd, animal enthusiast, naturopath in training. Archives
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