The healing Touch

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To be touched by someone physically can help to realize a lot with oneself. Don’t know about you but when I grew up receiving a massage was nothing related to healing. It was more about releasing muscle tension (mostly from too much work/ stress/ sitting) or spending money for some wellness time. So when I discovered thai yoga massage and its healing effect I was really surprised of the impact it had then on my life.

I visited Krishna Takis the first time around 8 years ago at his Sunshine House in Greece. I had heard from him through some acro yoga friends in Germany and I was curious about learning massage techniques anyways. Little did I know that the course I registered for would be more than intense for me – on all levels.

I booked a 10-day-course over New Years and I went to Athens by plane and from there by bus. I was on my own and I felt quite good. I was longing for connection and I remember me looking forward meeting new people.

And indeed I met a lot of new people, to some of whom I have still contact mostly through social media (and meeting them at yogaconferences). But whom I met most and very intensely was myself. To be more exact: I met pieces and fragments of myself I didn’t know they were there. From today’s perspective I would call them my shadow aspects, that were waiting for me getting to know them.

To touch other people and also getting touched by others requires to be very soft and open. It requires to see and be seen on a very deep level. So when I thought I was at the Sunshine House to learn massage techniques only I was totally wrong. I was there foremost to open up, learn to see others more fully and also let myself be seen.



 

We learned that with Takis through meditation, every morning. Through superb freshly cooked food. Through connecting with others by singing together, dancing and having inspirational talks with each other. We would of course learn also a lot of thai massage techniques as well – but to fully know them we had to feel what true connection to others looks like, by experiencing it.

At first I was scared by all those massage-unrelated things we did. I questioned myself if I was really right at that place. But my inner voice, name it intuition or however you want, never doubted. I was fully there for the 10 days and I immersed more and more into the techniques and into the openness.

When I came back to Germany I didn’t want to let this focus of connection go. I offered thai massages for free. First to friends, but then through word of mouth also strangers would call me and ask if I offered massages for free.

In these months I learned so much. I got really good in seeing others, I learned to be more skilled with my thai massage techniques. And most of all: I learned to know a lot more people who lived in my town. Noone would let me leave after the massage without at least a simple present. So I got the best green tea from a guy who worked in a tea shop. I was offered a lot of food, mostly things I didn’t know before. And loads of coffee, of course.

I visited Takis two times more and I am always happy when I see thai massage classes at yogaconferences or a yoga event.

So even if you do not want to specialize in thai yoga massage you learn so much in a workshop or class! Believe me ?

At the Barcelona Yogaconference there are loooooads of thai massage classes. Plus a Post-Conference with Krishna Takis on Monday.

 

 

Source: BYC Blog

From Self-Destruction to Self-Care: The Power of Yoga

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During a recent yoga teacher training that I attended, we were asked to journal on the question, ‘how has yoga impacted your life?’

It’s a simple question but a very long answer. It really wasn’t until I started to journal, that I realised just how much yoga has enveloped my whole life, so that now, it is my entire lifestyle and belief system – it is filtered into every aspect of my life and continues to evolve each day.

I have witnessed powerful and profound effects on my physical, mental, energetic and emotional bodies, it has completely changed all aspects of my being and has been, and continues to be, my source of self-healing.

I could write an entire book about how yoga has impacted my everyday life, but here are just 3 ways that yoga has really helped me heal.

From Self-Destruction to Self-Care

Prior to finding a connection to yoga, my mindset would be an uncomfortable and destructive balance of tamastic and rajastic thoughts and behaviour. I had little respect for my physical state, intentionally abusing and toxifying my body and mind, with disregard.

Through the positive effects of yoga, meditation and mindfulness my thoughts, attitude and behaviours towards my physical being have shifted to self-care, love and appreciation.  I prioritise nurturing and cleansing my body, healthy boundaries and fully respecting myself. The consequences of this on an emotional, mental and energetic level have been profound, and it is something that I support and greatly encourage each of my students to focus on, through sharing my simple but powerful techniques and tools for self-care.

 

From Doubt to Trust

Doubt used to be something that was predominant in my daily life. Self-doubt with regards to my decisions, my opinions, my beliefs, my body, my strength. Doubt in others, disbelieving, not trusting the actions, emotions and words of others. Doubt in the universe and the world, leaving me disconnected spiritually, to the natural world and humanity.

The practices of yoga, particularly mediation and spiritual practices, have led me to a place of trust.

Trust that I am here for a purpose. Trust that everything is ok, regardless of my current situation. Trust in other beings. Trust in the universe; and the most importantly, I feel, trust in myself, believing in myself and my abilities, believing I will make the most healthy decisions. Trust in my own beliefs and opinions regardless of others’ and trust in my emotions and intuition – something that prior to yoga, I was completely unaware of.

 

From Pushing to Patience

I used to be one of those yogis who was all about the strong, flexible yoga poses. My yoga practice was purely physical and everything else was just a bonus (or occasionally a hindrance that prevented me from doing more physical poses).

I would push my body far beyond it’s boundaries, ignore the messages that my body would send me and force my body into poses that it just wasn’t ready for – physically or energetically.

After delving into more gentle forms of yoga, a result of injuries due to forcing and pushing, I explored meditation and discovered yoga philosophy. This was life changing for me.

I became more patient with myself. I found a way to be gentle with my body and strong in my mind. The physical practice became a way to access my spiritual practice. Overall, my yoga practice became my lifestyle and believe system.

So, it’s a simple question but a long, insightful answer. “How has yoga impacted your life?”

[Hit the comment box below to let me know]

Source: BYC Blog

3 Steps to Kick-Start Your Dream Yoga Career

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Do you ever feel like everyone is a yoga teacher? Everywhere you look, there are yoga classes popping up everywhere but it’s almost impossible for you to get your classes started!?

Or you’ve started your classes but have spent months trying to fill them (or at least get more than 2 regular students)

If you’re feeling like this, don’t worry, I know where you’re at because Ive been there.

When I first launched into the world of yoga, I had grand plans of making this my full-time career, but within weeks, it felt like was an impossibility (how wrong I was though).

I didn’t have any guidance at this time, just motivation and a real passion to share yoga wherever possible. It was that motivation and eagerness, that took me from teaching 4  yoga sessions a week, to becoming a business owner of my own Registered Yoga School, leading trainings, workshops and events in schools, studios, retreat centers and communities across the Globe (in 5 different continents!)

Now, this was my dream and it’s likely that your dream is somewhat different.

Maybe it’s your dream to have you own yoga space or start your own non-profit yoga community or just have more than 2 students coming to your classes!

Whilst that dream may seem too far to reach, I am here to tell you, that it’s closer than you think. I am a huge believer in taking inspired action in order to manifest your goals, dreams and desires.

I know how disheartening it can feel and how difficult it can be sometimes, especially when you don’t have the right support, guidance or mentoring, but here are my top 3 tips for getting your yoga dream, kick-started:

 

  1. Find you Uniqueness

Yes, it does sometimes feel like everyone is a yoga teacher (and everyone else is successful at it, except for you) so it’s essential that you discover, acknowledge and appreciate your uniqueness. What makes you different?

Now, I hear you saying, nothing, I don’t have anything that makes me different from all the other yoga teachers out there – well, that’s just not true.

Are you an educator, therapist, sports coach, health or community worker? Do you have a background in education, health, psychology or philosophy?

Do you have international experience? Have you worked in therapeutic or healing environments? What other qualifications or certifications do you have? What other interests do you have? What is your personal belief system or approach to life?

What is your life experience?

Your individual life experiences are incredibly valuable – its not all about how many yoga certifications you may or may not have.

 

  1. Try it all

When I first started teaching yoga, I reached out to a wide range of settings to try it all out, to discover what I liked and what worked in my community.

I tried one-on-one sessions in therapeutic centers, corporate work places, workshop collaborations with yoga studios, summer camps, yoga festivals, athletics clubs, dance troops and cheer-leading teams….I really tried it all!

Each offered a new and diverse experience, of which led me to becoming the teacher I am today.

 

  1. Get yourself an accountability partner

Doing it all on your own can be tough, especially when you’ve had a difficult session!

An accountability partner can be someone who keeps you on track and motivated. Someone to bounce ideas off, get creative with and turn to for support.

Equally, as an accountability partner, you’re there to support someone else through difficult times, to motivate them and remind them why you do what you do!

I’ve had my awesome accountability partner for over 18-months. We were paired together at a ‘Dreamcatcher Workshop’ in Thailand and it has been beyond valuable for us both.

We check-in with each other every week, sometimes with a quick email or skype chat or even a 2-minute voice message (or if we’re lucky enough to be in the same country, a long, motivational lunch!)

We celebrate in each others successes, support each other through challenges, share creative ideas and interesting finds and most importantly, learn a lot from each other.

So they’re just 3 of my top tips for taking inspired action to manifest your yoga teaching dreams, go out there and do it!

Source: BYC Blog