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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About the AuthorKayleighWriter, energy healer, astrologer, nerd, animal enthusiast, naturopath in training. Archives
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