Yoga means union, to yoke together – the conscious with the unconscious; awareness with matter(body); the mind, body and spirit with the Divine; the individual with the world. While this refers to a certain state of consciousness or experience, it is also a method to help one reach that goal. The circular truth throughout is that in seeking we engage individual will, and that ultimately all methods must be dropped to find – or be – what we seek. Yoga is one of the many methods of balancing mind, body and spirit and attuning to Truth, and though commonly thought of in the West as a physical practice of stretching and strength based activities, it is an all encompassing path and way of life that involves far more than physical movement!
I practice and teach yoga as a system of living. As a teacher of asana, I have moved from mainly teaching Hatha Yoga into teaching very gentle yoga; working to calm and soothe mind and body and nourish the heart and integrating trauma informed therapeutic nervous system and embodiment based practices from my work as a Somatic Psychotherapist.
I integrate yoga philosophy in my classes and also offer groups more geared towards the understanding and application of yoga philosophy.
Restorative Yoga.
Restorative Yoga works with supporting the body into a deep state of relaxation and comfort. As the body releases and relaxes, the mind follows, resting in the body’s deep settled stillness. Within the practice traditional poses are adapted and supported through the use of props such as bolsters, blankets and blocks to facilitate deeply supportive and regenerative postures, which are held for typically much longer periods of time than in hatha or vinyasa classes.
Restorative yoga is a gentle, slow and kind practice. It works with each practitioner and their individual limits and is accessible and beneficial for all ages, all bodies, all levels of health and athleticism, flexibility and strength. It is a great balance for more yang based practices (such as Hatha and Vinyassa yoga, running and team and individual sports), but also a wonderful practice in its own right; proven to support health, reduce anxiety, pain and depression, deepen sleep, strengthen the immune system, support healing and create more emotional stability and wellbeing.
Individual Sessions
Individual sessions work to develop your yoga asana practice and also to support you in the yoga of living – connecting with practices and principles that support your physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing and deepest intention for your life. Your journey is a personal one, and we each need medicine based on our history, season of life, constitution and goals – what we can receive and use, essentially. I can help you to develop a personal practice that works for you and continues to evolve as you do.
Group Classes
I hold group classes online and in person, Wednesday and Friday at 17H, Paris time, integrating self-compassion, nervous system regulation and meditation practices with gentle and restorative yoga.
Please contact me to organise a private one to one or group class….07.57.09.88.69 / eliseannmartin@gmail.com