Thina Chat &
YOGA
''Hatha Yoga'' path - the ''physical preparation'' path to experience ''Unity'' :-)
'' Use the mat as a mirror to reflect your life patterns and take the practice and mind observances to reflect upon your life'' ... I keep on reminding myself and my students a lot of times.
Yoga on the mat challenges me, Makes me move, breathe, sweat, feel, explore the deepest corners of my self, laugh, grasp the moment, concentrate, love, share and realise that it may be an up-hill path but totally worthwhile the effort of climbing to enjoy the view!
Therefore I am so greateful and respectful to the lineage of teachers that gave us those beautiful tools to find our own practice as a preparation to purify and strengthen our bodies so we can turn inwards to observe, control and shape our minds.
Concentration, willpower to change, accepting and letting go of life patterns through a confronting practice that comes out of an honest heart and pure intension is what transforms us after all. I like to say that the Hatha path is only the first step towards yoga ... an endless journey can start with one single step ;-)
Teaching ...
Teaching for me is an extension of my own practice ... an invitation to deepen my insight and experience through the bodies of my students, and the most challenging task. Each body and mind is so unique ... therefore even the same practice differs in so many levels.
My teaching is based on the Sivananda tradition taught by Swami Sivananda, one of the greatest Indian yoga masters of the last century.
The essence of the teachings of Sivananda Yoga is contained in five yoga principles: Correct posture, correct breathing, correct relaxation, correct nutrition and positive thinking/ meditation.
My 2 year teacher trainining followed in Yoga Vidya gave me a 500 hours Teachers Certification. Deepening my own practice and knowledge to different traditions as Ashtanga and Yin brought me to the point to have those traditions included to my teachings as well ...
My background in contemporary dance and love for fusion flowy experimental practices led me to aerial yoga dance and yogadance teachings too.
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Practice ...
At Yoga Maya studio in Rotterdam where I completed my teacher training and where I started teaching as well, I had the opportunity to be introduced in the Ashtanga vinyasa hatha yoga path, in the tradition of Sri K Pattabhi Jois.
Since my first year of Sivananda teacher training I was always finding myself going in and out of Ashtanga led classes ... getting really inspired from this dynamic form of practice. On 2015 I felt commiting my own practice more towards this tradition and had the opportunity to do it next to a very inspiring teacher Bela Lipat that introduced me to the Ashtanga Primary Series. Since then I have been an Ashtangi at heart, teaching regular led and mysore style classes.