Portrait of a yogi: Claudia Martin, creator of the blog Yoga Passion

How did you get into taking care of yourself?

I have always been a "speed" person. Since I was a teenager, I have always loved sports, especially running, cycling, skiing... For a long time, my motto was: "Always faster, always further". Then, 5 years ago, I discovered Yoga.
Finally, I relearned how to breathe, to be present, to know and respect my body better. During my studies, I read a lot of books dedicated to the Slow movement, to degrowth, to ecology… All this accompanied me to decide to slow down and enjoy life better, by taking care of myself.

One of my biggest breakthroughs was understanding that to take care of others, you have to take good care of yourself first, and that it's anything but selfish to do so...

What practice for your well-being?

I practice and teach Vinyasa and Ashtanga for beginners. I also have a crush on Yin Yoga, which I practice more and more often.

What is the ritual of your practice?

At the end of the morning because I am not a very early riser and I often come home late from my classes, I go to the front of my mat and take long breaths in Tadasana. Then I start with a very gentle, very slow sun salutation. And I continue with several salutations, waking up and warming my body more and more. My sessions can last 10 or 90 minutes. Depending on my energy, my shape and my inspiration of the moment, I add the postures, pranayamas and meditation that seem perfect for this moment. And I always end with a looooong relaxation, curled up in my blanket, wrapped up in a sweater and big soft socks and with a lavender microbead pad on my eyes. It's my favorite outfit for Savasana, which made my classmates in India laugh a lot :-)

What do you get out of it?

I love dynamic Yoga practices that channel my mind and help me find inner calm and clarity. Yin Yoga helps me slow down, go into a deeper, more visceral practice. Yoga, in general, is an ally for me in the search for balance and on the path to joy.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My yoga outfit, as simple as possible: leggings and tank top. A hair tie, a sweater, socks. And my new Manduka ProLite mat.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My gourd with its bamboo lid, it creaks a little, but it is an object that touches me personally, that reminds me of the wood that I love so much and that is one of my dominant elements in Chinese energy :-)

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

I would advise Tayrona Yoginis to consider their Yoga practice in the long term. That is to say, to prioritize their health and to learn to know, respect and love their body, first, and then their whole being.
Our society feeds on an excess of performance, of speed. It encourages to privilege quantity over quality. Thanks to Yoga, we can meet our deep Being and dig into the most buried layers of ourselves, beyond appearances. It is extremely powerful and transformative.
My advice is therefore to practice for oneself, without seeking comparison with others, without having expectations. Just the pleasure of being alive and being able to discover this wonderful gift that is Yoga.

Where/how do you practice?

I practice mostly at home, near my large bay window, with a view of the trees below. I also like to practice in the park, at the beach, even if the noise around me can sometimes distract me.

I also love practicing in the studio, under the guidance of colleagues, Yoga teachers. I regularly participate in classes or workshops, especially on weekends because my weeks are generally very busy between my classes, my blog, the support I offer, etc.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

“You can do anything!”

This is what a stranger I met in front of a church in Lyon told me a few years ago, when I had just left my old job and started my own business. This sentence has carried me a lot and continues to carry me whenever I need it. And I often repeat it to those around me to encourage them :-)

Many thanks Patricia for this interview in which I am very honored to have participated.

Tayrona yoginis can find Claudia Martin on her blog YogaPassion and on her Facebook page