My practice began in 2010, exposed to various yoga styles — Moksha, Bikram, Anusara, Vinyasa. Two years later, doing yoga almost every single day, twice when time allowed it, I have completed my one month intensive Teacher-Training course: Hatha, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga underlying the foundation and concepts of Ashtanga-Iyengar from YYoga. And have ever sooo fell in love with my practice.
“It is through the body that you realize you are a spark of divinity” ~ BKS Iyengar
If there is one sole thing I can isolate why I love yoga… it’s because it made me love myself more.
And from there, from that place within each of us, things flow as they are meant to. Flow… I adore this word. And my classes are filled with them. Flowing with the poses, flowing with the breath. They come together on a single spot… my mat… that I try, as we all do, to take the practice off the mat. Yoga is my ground, where I can come back to rooting myself… and not get knotted and entwined with the mishmash of life.
When we come back to the breath, focussing our energy at that moment of inhales and exhales… then you see that spark within you to carry on.
“If you want to learn something, read about it. If you want to understand something, write about it. If you want to master something, teach it.” ~ Yogi Bhajan.
There is more to yoga than the asanas. There is more to yoga than building strength and flexibility. There is more to yoga than being a pretzel. It ignited a spark in me. I listened to it. And now I teach it.
Namaste.
Maia Yoga Instructor RYT 200
Yoga Geeky Tools:
- 200-Hour Teacher Training, October 2012, YYoga, Erica Blitz & Rachel Scott
- Mini-Yogis Training, April 2013, Shana Meyerson
- Arm Balance & Inversions Workshop, June 2013, Stephanie SAM Manchulenko
- Yoga Therapy Workshop, Neck and Shoulders, October 2013, Dillon Cherrett
- CE, Vinyasa Yoga with Alignment and Heart Teacher Training Intensive, July 2014, Todd Norian & Rolf Gates
- Learning to Fly Part Two: Inversions & Arm Balances, December 2014, Savannah Luff
- Science of Vinyasa, May 2015, Jonathan Austman
- Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training / Personal Development Program, September 2015 to present, Jonathan Austman
Beauty of Madness 
I love this blog. Yoga changes the whole game, doesn’t it?
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Thank you, Angela! And yes, you could very well say that yoga knocked the bejeezus out of me (no pun intended!). I can now play and relish the game.
I’ve listened to your music. I enjoy your music! I’ll be using them in my classes. =)
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I like the quote above – yoga made me love myself more. I think there are different practices – yoga, meditation, sufi prayer or intoxication, even looking at yourself in the mirror (which Louise Hay claimed was one of the most important self-love techniques) – that can bring you into connection with your more authentic self, and move you from the mind to the heart. I believe we are the ones who change the whole game, and it’s not always so productive to attribute that magic to something outside ourselves, whether yoga, or meditation or a guru, teacher or object. Though it is useful to encounter a special spark that sets the process in motion…
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Thank you for your wonderful words! It’s a common misconception to search for the spark or magic externally, when both have been laying within us since we have been born. We had them when we were young… then kept losing them as we got more exposed to the world, as we continue to become grown ups.
I don’t really want to be a grown up. I only want to keep growing. Yoga brought me back to the process of magically growing with a spark. =)
Love, light, and peace to you!
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I can’t begin to thank you enough for stopping over and following my humble blog-o-thing! I wish you the very best, not only today but well into the future. Be inspired and please take care.
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Your blog-o-thingees are not only fun to read but as you put it, humbling. They allow me to pause and listen to myself, to my heart. Thank you for all those humble words!! Keep ’em up. Namaste! =)
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Thank you for liking my poem…..it is nice to see someone else who knows that Yoga is much more than just asanas, that there is a Spiritual Depth behind all of it, and everything in life. Keep exploring and sharing yourself, and best wishes along your Yoga Journey!
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Yoga showed me a whole new world. Funny thing is… the newness has familiarity. Perhaps it is imbedded within; but whatever it may be, I know yoga allowed me to shine it out. Namaste! =)
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Wow. You teach Yoga? I love, love, love, the quote. So I should teach classes on relationship. Haha. Nice to meet you.
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Thank you for stopping by my blog and reminding me of all the reasons that yoga has shaped my life. Your blog is beautiful and I loo forward to reading more of your inspiring words…Namaste, Betty
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Thanks, Betty!! Same here. Namaste. =)
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Good stuff. Keep flowing!
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Thank you. I’m finding good stuff as well in your blog. =)
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such inspiring posts — i’ve been doing bikram for about 6 years now, and i love the positive impact that yoga has on my daily thoughts 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words. =)
I have been missing Bikram. But it is currently not offered in my town. The intensity of this practice, along with Moksha, is perhaps what made me venture yoga further… and farther.
Be well. And be yoga! =)
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I must say Maia that your blog is one of the best I have come across in my time as a blogger. You share intricate pieces of yourself and wisdom with your readers in an honest way that can help people grow. Also following your story from post to post and even your about page is very inspiring. Whoever learns yoga or anything from you is very fortunate and I am happy to know individuals like yourself are still spreading wisdom and goodness through the world despite any struggles.
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Oh my goodness, Mikial! These are big words!! I feel so humbled and grateful. =)
I am happy to read this. Truth be told, I began blogging to pour my words out, whispers of the heart suppressed from time to time because of numerous insane reasons… that I am continuously working on. I understand how there are others who share similar sentiments, ideas, and crazy perceptions… and that these are alright, never defining ourselves with what we think or feel, but simply riding with the ebb and flow of life… and when life really gets even a tad better, we can be the waves ourselves.
Namaste, Mikial. I so appreciate your comment here. 🙂
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Every once in a while I return to your site to reread some of your wonderful inspiring work. You will always be one of my absolute favorite bloggers. Have a great day.
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Thank you, Mikial. This is only a brief hiatus from blogging… I think… haha! Sorting out stuff… Have a great day too! =)
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I always think about yoga, I just feel like i’m not strong enough to do it. 😦
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Hi Amber! Thank you for stopping by. =)
One doesn’t need to be strong or flexible to begin practicing yoga. You develop these as you progress in your practice. Yoga will not push you when your body is not ready. Give yourself time and patience. After all, that is what we all work on – love ourselves first, then your body will reward you later on.
Just give it a try. Hook up with a yoga studio and talk with the instructors. they will guide you. Good luck! =)
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