I started my journey with yoga a long time ago, after finishing high school. I remember that first class, how funny everything was to me, all these very serious people, who make some strange movements with their bodies, and at the same time they breathe loudly like some kind of funny animals and make strange sounds. Of course, it was the first class where I observed everything in wonder, curiosity and with a hint of a smile. I soon began to feel deeper effects on my body and mind, and became a regular at yoga classes. At the beginning, I was most impressed by the breathing techniques, which gave me a sense of peace and connection with myself. These breathing techniques are called pranayama. Using these techniques, we use prana to control the breath. Prana is a vital subtle energy that is everywhere around us – in air, food, water, nature, our body and in our breath. Pranayama techniques include different ways of breathing, holding and regulating the breath. Through the conscious direction of the breath, pranayama techniques help balance the body’s energy system, increase vitality, calm the mind and improve general well-being.
Over the years, yoga has become an outlet for me and a place where I can be with myself. Love for yoga grew over the years, and with it discipline and dedication. Now, after becoming a yoga teacher I must mention discipline, which is very important on the path of yoga. I was lucky enough to play the piano as a child and in that way I developed the discipline to dedicate myself to practicing the piano for a couple of hours a day.
Later, I replaced the piano with yoga practice, and yoga soon became my daily routine. With that, the desire to become a yoga teacher grew, so I’ve been leading yoga classes for 10 years and I’m constantly learning.
As a yoga teacher it is important to practice yoga regularly. Being disciplined means committing to a personal practice every day. Discipline teaches us to remain dedicated to our practice, to be regular, consistent and dedicated. She encourages us to be patient, persistent and to face challenges in order to achieve inner growth and progress. Daily practice leads us to a deeper understanding of yoga and its benefits, both for ourselves and for those to whom we pass on our knowledge and experience.
As a yoga teacher it is important to know that there is always room for improvement, and that there is always someone we can learn more from. In the practice of yoga, there is no ultimate goal, but only constant development through continuous learning and growth. Therefore, it is important to have a teacher, an inspiration who guides us on this path.
Practicing yoga, we develop awareness of ourselves and others, and the realization that we are all interconnected and that our essence is the same. Yoga teaches us to accept ourselves and others without judgment or criticism. We become aware of our own flaws, weaknesses and challenges but at the same time we develop compassion for others because we realize that we all go through our own struggles.
Through self-observation, we learn to accept ourselves and instead of criticizing and judging ourselves for our mistakes, yoga encourages us to be gentle with ourselves and take care of our body, mind and spirit. Ultimately, it teaches us that we are all part of a greater whole and that our actions and words can have an impact on others. Through compassion, we create a world of understanding, support and love for ourselves and others.
For me, yoga is not just an hour on the mat. Yoga has become an integral part of my everyday life, the way I connect with myself and with other living beings.
Many people make excuses and say that yoga is not for them because they are not flexible enough, they are chubby, stunted or yoga is too peaceful for them. However, yoga is for everyone. The essence of yoga is not only in the performance of demanding positions such as digging on the head. You come to yoga for yourself, do as much as you can and give your best at that moment, push your limits every time, step by step. Yoga encourages us to overcome insecurity, to grow and love ourselves and others.
With today’s lifestyle, everyday unconscious actions, we move away from ourselves, we perform tasks, functions, we enter into various roles. Yoga helps us to step away from those roles, functions, tasks and reconnect with our source.
Ultimately, the yoga journey is individual and everyone can find their own unique path. It is important to be open, patient and accept your limits because yoga is a continuous process that leads us to inner growth, balance and harmony.
