Portrait of Jenny Liard: a yogi who loves skiing
I met Jenny Liard during my yoga training, Katy Misson's Satiam Yoga teacher training . Our friendship was born during our Tuesday meetings where, as trainee teachers, we coached each other in teaching our yoga series. Jenny's story is a true rebirth. It was built around Lake Annecy, when she was very young with her ski instructor father, she bathed in the blue waters of the lake, wearing a pair of skis. Over time, it became a real passion whether on the water or on the snow with a clear preference for wakeboarding. Until the day of the accident, when she broke her hips following a bad fall.
A real tragedy for this ski instructor, a high-level athlete, who from one day to the next had to put a stop to her passion and her travels. And there began the suffering, operations after operations, physiotherapy sessions after sessions, the pain was very present and her body refused to function. After having tried everything, she tried yoga and it was a real revelation. Thanks to her regular practice and her perseverance, she can now consider teaching again. Her yoga teaching is full of freshness and humility, it combines her knowledge as a ski instructor and the beautiful practice that is Satiam Yoga. A real treat for her future students who wish to progress in both disciplines.
It was only natural that I asked him a few personal questions about his yoga practice, which I am sharing with you today.
How did you get into taking care of yourself?
Following a major injury to my hips (fracture of the pelvis and sacrum) which had repercussions on my spine, it prevented me from living my passions and turned my life upside down. If I had listened to my body, perhaps I would not have reached this breaking point. I tried a lot; from physiotherapy to alternative medicines and it was yoga that got me back on my feet. A laborious path full of twists and turns.
What practice for your well-being?
Two things for my well-being: water skiing (slalom) which I experience as meditation and yoga. With these practices, this is where I reconnect my body with my mind. This is where I find my well-being.
What is the ritual of your practice?
In both disciplines, I try to have consistency. I am also more forgiving. Before, like all high-level athletes, I was taught to work against my body. Today, I work with my body and not against it to achieve my goal of well-being. I am no longer in competition. In any case, as long as I have not found my support, there is no point in thinking about it.
What do you get out of it?
The physiotherapist told me that my pelvis would no longer move and that it would no longer have an opening. Today, it moves… I have found sensations again, a connection with my body. I would like to one day be able to make the bridge.
What do you carry in your yoga bag?
My water bottle, a towel and my YUJ mat because I sweat a lot from my hands and when I sweat from my hands, it becomes very grippy. It is maybe just a little thin for cushioning. The choice of mat is crucial in the practice of yoga and Patricia is excellent advice to guide you.
What is your favorite object/accessory?
My 7 chakra mala that I made myself and that I never leave home without.
What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?
Listen to your body, don't over-perform and listen to the signals it sends us.
Where/how do you practice?
I practice several times a week. In fact, almost every day. We take turns teaching each other, with my training buddies. Otherwise, I go to my Satiam Academy studio with Katy Misson and at home.
I just completed a teacher training withKaty Misson (Satiam Yoga) to become a yoga teacher. Katy Misson is a physiotherapist and posturologist. She is very attentive to the alignment of postures. She trains us in a type of yoga that listens to the body and advocates opening the heart. A return to the essence. I hope that in turn, I will be able to pass on this practice and combine it with my knowledge as a skier.
What is your mantra/favourite phrase?
My favorite sentence is:
Smile, life is beautiful!
