Moving times

Hello everyone.

I have moved to www.marinayogini.com.

Also, don't forget to follow me on my Facebook page, where I am most active.

A lot has changes since I last wrote here, so I hope you can keep up to date in my new website, where I also run a blog.

Hope to see you there!

travelling abroad @ the lonely train

When I decided to do the Anusara Immersions, there was a fundamental issue: with whom. I already enjoyed the teachings of some of the Yogaglo teachers, but their schedules didn't suit mine.

I then checked out Sianna Sherman schedule. I first heard of her through one of the Anusara yoga teachers I study with, who happens to study with Sianna. She had perfect Immersion schedules for 2012 and even better, I could meet her in Zurich before deciding whether I wanted to attend her Immersions. So I spent one amazing weekend in Zurich to know Sianna Sherman. 

I left Lisbon on a friday afternoon, December 9th. Due to a strike of the Portuguese airline company, I had to change flights and make other arrangements. But again, the Universe was rooting for me and I believe the weekend ended up being even better because of that. So instead of flying directly to Zurich, I flew to Geneva and then I would take the train to Zurich. This was probably one of the best decisions of this trip.

Crossing Switzerland during December is an impressive thing. To watch those beautiful snowy mountaintops is a delight to the eyes and such a humbling experience. One of the things I love the most about Nature is how it makes us feel so connected to it and at the same time, it's a reminder of how small we are compared to it. 

I chose as a soundtrack for the train trip Explosions in the Sky, a post-rock band whose sublime musicality possibly suits every situation there is. I found it funny how shuffle presented me with their song Lonely Train, which was so fitting for the occasion that it entitles this post - check it out here. For the record: my very first yoga class was taught to the sound of Explosions in the Sky - but this is a story I have yet to tell.

This trip was also a very important manifestation of the real meaning of the international kula. Since I would be making my travel plans through Geneva, I contacted a girl who had helped at the time of John Friend's workshop in Geneva to see if she would like to have dinner on sunday, since I would be spending the night in Geneva to fly back to Lisbon on monday morning. Although we had talked back in July, we didn't get a chance to meet. So it was a real surprise to me when Khatuna not only accepted to meet me, but even said I could spend the night at her house. I thought her offer was so generous that in return I said she could stay with me at the hotel in Zurich. So again, this weekend was getting better and better.

I arrived at Zurich at the end of the afternoon, walked to the hotel and then left to get to know the streets of the city. I made my way from the hotel to the yoga studio where the weekend workshop would be taking place. I liked Zurich and since it was Christmas time, the streets were decorated with beautiful lightning. I'm also easily drawn to cities with rivers or lakes. Zurich was no exception.

I woke up to a very grey and rainy Saturday morning, which was about to become a lot more brighter with the incoming amazing yoga. When I arrived at the studio I finally met Khatuna and we started to make plans together for the weekend. 

The first practice Sianna offered us was backbends. Sweetness. She based the class on the Tantra philosophy. Here's something I wrote on my notebook based on Sianna's words - might not be a direct quote:

Tantra can be "the way we safely expand ourselves; it doesn't push the boundaries, we go there with skill and expand."

and another:

"To be touched; the way that the heart is moved, inner awe - appreciating life. How the heart opens up in the world."

This actually resonated so much with me, I knew I had found someone I wanted to study with. Sianna is very inspiring and kind, but she's also challenging and gives her students badass yoga classes. This was already perfect for me, but she was yet to show another side of her that would complete the puzzle - Sianna is a poetic being skilled in the art of story telling. Literature, poetic phrasing and the use of words, in general, is something very that speaks directly to my very essence, so the way Sianna told stories resonated with me on an energetic level.

After having lunch with Khatuna, we went back to the afternoon session where Sianna told us the story of how Lakshmi was born. This was the perfect introduction for the afternoon practice: twists and forward bends, which begin a cleaning process in the body to allow the new and pure (in a way, our own versions of Lakshmi) to emerge from the impure.

"All yoga practices transform the poison."

"The churning practices bring up everything."

During the afternoon session I also got closer to a woman I had met during the morning: dearest Judith. She lives in Spain and also came to be with Sianna. We had an instant connection and exchanged contacts and we keep in touch to this day. I'm also trying to convince her to either join me for Sianna's Immersion II or III! It's amazing how a yoga practice can bring people together. When two people who have never seen each other have to work together and support each other, there's space for trust to develop. And friendship as well. So I can say I would be leaving Zurich with two friends: Khatuna & Judith.

Dinner time was also lovely. Me and Khatuna met Sianna, Manel, Jeff Fisher, Vincent Pezet and their partners, along with some other people. Lovely experience. I had the opportunity to talk to Sianna and I could tell she is very open, kind and nice. Overall it was a perfect ending for such a powerful and inspiring day.

Sunday was arm balances workshop, which is something I absolutely love! It was very very challenging and I tried some poses for the first time! This was actually the first time I attended an advanced Anusara Yoga session. Previously with John Friend, I had only watched the session, but this time I was willing to be challenged. This session allowed me to explore new ground and also to realize where exactly did I stand in terms of arm balances. I learned I had a lot of work to do on my shoulders, for instance. The workshop ended with sweet goodbyes and pictures.

                                     Sianna, me & Manel (Portuguese kula represented)

                                                                Khatuna, Sianna & me

So during the afternoon I explored a bit more of Zurich, as Khatuna was going to meet a friend. I wanted to go to the Chinese Garden, but unfortunately it was closed. Even so, it was great, because it got me to a part of the city I wouldn't have gone to otherwise and which had a beautiful garden by the river. It really did seem like even the "bad" things happened for a great reason that weekend. I walked a lot during this stay in Zurich! I have no idea how many hours I walked around the city, but I loved it, even when I felt tired I kept going. And I can honestly say that if I was to come back to Zurich, I would know my way around some areas. This is why I like to walk, it allows me to better know the place where I am and I also feel is very grounding and it helps to connect with the energy of the place and the people.

By the end of the afternoon, Khatuna and I met at the train station to go back to Geneva. This time, I was so tired I slept - also, since it was dark outside, there were no pretty mountains to keep me awake. I was excited to be going back to Geneva, which still remains my favourite city. Even though this time I wouldn't get to actually be in the city, I had loved overflying it on friday and I was already loving the idea of watching the sunrise from the airplane on monday.

Khatuna was a lovely host and prepared us a nice dinner. After that, we just chilled and talked for a while before we eventually went to sleep.

This weekend in Zurich was decided unexpectedly. Almost everything I had planned failed and that allowed me to have a even better experience of the weekend. Which means I should trust the plans the Universe has in store for me a lot more. I believe I am doing that now. I'm trusting and trusting and believing I can achieve the things my heart really wants, so this weekend was a very important step in my yoga "career".

I felt I came back with new inspiration and ideas and also with a more deep-ingrained wish to teach. I also felt that Sianna's story telling skills were very attuned with me and that felt yoga would allow me to combine these passions of mine.

The sense of community I gathered from this experience was also fundamental as it made me more aware of how important it is to connect with other people and how yoga brings all sorts of people together. It is more than a personal practice, it is also a social experience so worthwhile!

In a way, this gave me strength to kick start Yogafool with Reyes, my good friend and YTT colleague. The spreading of yoga and the community became very important to me and those are Yogafool's hallmarks.

Another result of this weekend was me deciding to do all 3 Immersions with Sianna this year. The first one starts on April 2nd.

And by the way, one week from now I will be in Copenhagen already, enjoying the awesome company of the Yogi Nomads.

What amazing experiences await me.

Dicas da Yogafool para Yoga ao ar livre

A primeira aula desenvolvida pela Yogafool acontecerá em breve!

No próximo sábado, dia 24 de Março, no Parque do Tejo, Marina & Reyes, as co-fundadoras da Yogafool, irão guiar a primeira prática do projecto Yogafool.

A Yogafool é o desenvolvimento de uma ideia, com o objectivo de espalhar o yoga pela comunidade e as aulas irão basear-se no formato co-ensino. É, portanto, um projecto que pretender incluir e não excluir.

Assim, seguem-se dicas para práticas de yoga ao ar livre com a Yogafool!

1. Junte-se às aulas da Yogafool com boa disposição e uma mente aberta e prepare-se para a DIVERSÃO!

2. Tenha atenção às condições climatéricas. Ao practicar debaixo de um sol intenso e brilhante, use PROTECTOR SOLAR! Aplique o protector na cara, braços e outras zonas do corpo expostas. Não aplique quaisquer cremes nas palmas das mãos e dos pés, dado que poderá escorregar no tapete.

3. Traga o seu TAPETE YOGA! A Yogafool terá alguns tapetes disponíveis, mas não os suficientes para todos. Se não tiver um tapete de yoga, traga uma toalha de praia. Se quiser usar os tapetes da Yogafool, chegue cedo: quem chegar primeiro, terá direito a um tapete. Além disso, pode comprar tapetes de yoga por preços acessíveis em Yoga-Spirit.

4. Use ROUPA confortável, algo que lhe permita mexer e respirar em liberdade. Também recomendamos que traga uma toalha ou um lenço para se tapar durante savasana (relaxamento final). Isto ajudará a manter uma temperatura confortável do corpo e proteger da exposição directa ao sol e ao vento.

5. Se chover, a Yogafool irá adaptar a prática de modo a evitar escorregar e recomendamos uma capa plástica leve para proteger da chuva.

Junte-se a nós e siga-nos no Facebook.

Temos muitas ideias em desenvolvimento!! ✿

Yogafool's Tips for Outdoors Yoga

The first class developed by Yogafool will happen soon!

Next saturday, March 24th, in Parque do Tejo, Marina & Reyes, the co-founders of Yogafool, will guide the first practice of the Yogafool project.

Yogafool is the development of an idea that aims at spreading yoga throughout the community and it'll be based on co-teaching classes, in which either Marina or Reyes will invite different teachers. It is therefore an inclusive project.

As such, here follows tips for safe outdoors yoga practices with Yogafool!

1. Join Yogafool classes with high spirits and an open mind and prepare for the FUN!

2. Be mindful of the weather conditions. When practising under a bright sun, wear SUN SCREEN! Apply it on your face, arms and other surfaces exposed. Do not apply any creams on the palms of your hands and feet, as you might slide on your mat.

3. Please bring your YOGA MAT! Yogafool will have a few mats available, but not enough for everyone. If you don't have a yoga mat, bring a beach towel. If you wish to use Yogafool's yoga mats, arrive early: first come, first serve. Also, you can buy yoga mats for an accessible price at Yoga-Spirit.

4. Wear comfortable CLOATHING, something in which you can move and breathe freely. Also, we recommend you bring a towel or scarf to cover yourself in savasana (final relaxation). This will help your body to maintain a comfortable temperature and will protect you from direct exposure to sun and wind.

5. If it rains,Yogafool will adapt the practice to avoid slippage and we recommend a light plastic cape to protect from the rain.

Please join us and follow us on Facebook.

We have a lot of fun coming your way!! ✿

keep in mind

Whenever I'm quiet here, remember you can always follow me on Facebook, which I update daily.

and then i met john friend

I think it's about time I sit down and gather my thoughts and reflections of the past days. After the allegations regarding John Friend's misconduct were made public on yogadork, I immediately manifested my opinion on the matter. I stand by that same opinion. For me, yoga is not about the teacher, it's about the teaching, the practice, the philosophy. For me, Anusara yoga is not about John Friend. I became sad when some of the teachers decided to resign, but I was not sad about John. 

My first contact with Anusara yoga was in the end of 2010. In 2011 I immerged myself in it. I went to public classes and I started following some classes on yogaglo. I could feel my body incorporating the principles and the alignments. I realized my approach to life had changed as well. Anusara was helping me clear out some of the clouds that had been with me since 2009. I was gonna stick with Anusara; it had become my yoga style and I was gonna dedicate my time to it, studying it. 

I had found home.

So for a few months, I practiced a lot; I had my main Anusara-inspired teacher in Portugal and I had Noah Mazé on yogaglo. I practiced with other Anusara teachers, but Noah was the one I was faithful to. I loved his style, his way of teaching, his technique and his humour. I learned a lot from him. At the time I had no opinion on John Friend. I had heard some comments from my teachers here in Portugal, I could tell Bel respected and admired him a lot, but that was it. I had no personal opinion, so somewhere along the way, I decided to meet him, to meet the man who had founded my, well... my home.

So in July 2011, I flew to Geneva, Switzerland, for a weekend workshop with the man himself - John Friend. It was mentioned here that at his events there's a certain pull. Like the energy draws in to the space the event is taking place. I was with John for only two days and I know this to be true. My roommates in Geneva told me "Just follow the people with the yoga mats". And so it was, you could feel and almost see the aura around the area. I followed the people and signed in, got my very first Anusara-event name tag, sticked it to my mat and quietly sat down absorving everything I could. I quickly recognized Marc Holzman, another familiar face from yogaglo. And then John showed up and I thought Crap, it's really happening. This place is huge, I don't know anyone... I flew all the way from Portugal to practice yoga with this guy I know nothing about.

I had a blast. John is a lot more than an awesome yoga teacher. He's an entertainer. He manages to put the students at ease, he's funny, he's insightful and makes you think and enjoy your practice - attributes I really admire in a yoga teacher. And he pays attention. He notices the people. Even though he had assistants - I remember Marc, Ross Rayburn, Jeff Fisher (who I "officially" met this past December) and a certified teacher from Italy, whose name I don't remember - John walks around the room and he lets the energy flow.

On my very first session, I talked to John. I believe that was the only interaction we had. I was helping a girl in handstand. I remember that John passed by us and gave me a hand. He asked my name and where I was from. Shit, John freaking Friend is talking to me. I said I was Marina from Portugal. He looked surprised. Portugal?! He was making eye contact and he was grounding the other girl - he was paying attention to everything. Yes, I study with Bel. And he said, Yes, I know Bel, I love Bel. And that was it. I don't think I talked to John ever again after that. And I can assure you: he's human. He's just as human as the guy. But then again, I don't buy the guru thing.

Going back to my notes from that weekend, this is what I wrote after that first session: very good & vibrating.

The next day I watched the advanced session - I was only doing the mixed level at the time - and it was mind blowing. I absolutely love advanced classes, I usually say that my favourites classes are the ones that include poses I can't do. I love the challenge and to work my way to the pose. I learned so much from watching those amazing people. And I liked John, the way he acted around his students, some of them now fully grown into certified Anusara teachers themselves. I loved his jokes. I remember clearly how hard I laughed when John said anyone could do yoga, you don't need to be flexible, or be super strong and you do not need to look like Ross Rayburn. Everyone laughed this, including Ross!

I met so many inspiring people on that weekend. Barbra Noh received her certification on that weekend and it was so beautiful. I wasn't there at the time, but we were in the same apartement and so we all went out to celebrate. I felt so blessed and happy to be there. I didn't want it to end.

But it did. I tried to absorb all of John's last words to us. It was intense. There was this knot in my throat. I wanted to cry. It was so weird, I had just met that man the day before. I didn't know most of the people sitting next, in front and behind me. And I was feeling both really sad because it was coming to an end and very happy for taking that step.

The last thing I wrote down that John said was:

There's no waiting for the perfect moment, because it might never come; you can make every moment perfect.

Still, John did not become my main teacher or source of inspiration, even I though I loved being there with him. He intesified my belief in Anusara yoga, in the power of the amazing kula. My first contact with the international kula had been amazing. Everything Anusara resonated with me on every level. So I came back home and continued my practice. Having met Marc in Geneva I decided to give him more chances and started practicing with him as well on yogaglo. Tara Judelle followed him. I felll in love with her voice. And she has a very deep sense of the body, of the organic part of the body that I really like. She also cares about the brain functions and she manages to incorporate everything in her clases with such poise and fun. Plus, she read a lot! A yogini bookworm like me! Her teachings really resonate with me. So in the end they ended up being my teachers. I had my Portuguese teachers and those three at yogaglo.

In December, I met Sianna Sherman and loved her. She's inspiring, kind, poetic and presented us with some kick ass practices. She told stories in a way that was captivating and interesting. I fell in love. I had these inspiring teachers I could always turn to. By that time, Christina Sell, Darren Rhodes and Elena Brower had already left. You could tell something was wrong. But I think it was when Amy Ippoliti left that everything surfaced.

And the rest is history. Or not yet, because history is still being written as we speak, particularly in Miami.

On February 12, when I heard that Noah was leaving Anusara yoga I felt really really sad. And then this week, Tara decided to go. She decided to go on the day I was giving my first yoga class. I felt confused. They were leaving and I was only beginning. I know that yoga is yoga is yoga. But will they still teach the same way? Of course they will. They will be the same teachers, teaching with the same heart and inspiration. But Anusara was/is like a big family and when someone moves out you know you'll not see them as often. You know things will change. Noah and Tara leaving was really hard on me. It still is. And I don't even know them. And I knew John and I don't really feel the same way for him.

I guess what this means is that Anusara yoga has grown beyond John. His students reached 18 years old, they went to college, they graduated and now they moved on. But they will take Anusara yoga with them. John decided to take a leave of absence and you know what? Anusara yoga will keep on rocking.

I do not know the future of Anusara yoga. I guess at this point most of us don't. But in the end it doesn't really matter. Because we hold the fundamentals close to our hearts and we take them with us wherever we go. And the friends we made through Anusara will still be our friends if Anusara ends (can a yoga style truly end, though?).

I honestly wish Jonh Friend the best of luck in this difficult time. I think he has a lot to consider and I think he mustn't forget that this is so much bigger than him.

I hope Marc and Sianna don't resign. Marc is so close in Paris and I already paid for the Immersion I with Sianna in April.

Just something to consider: it starts with Opening to Grace for a reason. ♥

still here

I didn't go anywhere.

I'm still here and I'm working on updating all my writing.

I've just been busy with this and this.

More on my story soon!