Portrait of Natasha St Pier, singer and lover of life.
I am pleased to introduce you to Natasha St Pier, whom I had the chance to meet through a mutual friend. She agreed to do a portrait on our blog.
Natasha, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I am a singer, but I don't think that's enough to define me. I am passionate about life, love and a caring mother. A sports addict and anything that makes you feel alive.
I discovered yoga in the early 2000s. Being rather sporty by nature with a naturally flexible body, I believed very early on that I was gifted at Yoga. I practiced Ashtanga yoga as one practices gymnastics. Everything through the body and performance. This practice for physical maintenance suited me well, but slowly my assiduity decreased.... I no longer found it interesting.
Life called me back to my spirituality and yoga with the birth of my son. He was born with congenital heart disease. He underwent open heart surgery at 4 months old. Today, he is in perfect health.
That's when I needed yoga again to center myself physically. But not only that. This time I could finally understand yoga as a whole. As a way of life. A philosophy of every moment.
I decided to do a 200-hour Hatha yoga teacher training but it seemed too little. I did an additional 300-hour training to obtain RYT-500 status. Then I studied the sutras of Patanjali with Judith Hanson Lasater, then Bahkti yoga with Janet Stone, energetic alignment with Janet Stone, the art of sequencing with Natasha Rizopoulos, vinyasa with Eddie Modestini and finally Sanskrit with Richard Rosen.
I have just recently been certified as a Yin Yoga teacher by Annie Au
I have several other ongoing training courses to reach 1200 hours of recognized training today :-) I believe that I still have a lot to learn....
How did you get into taking care of yourself?
I needed to take care of myself to accept my son's illness, find the energy to move forward and feel like I belonged.
What practice for your well-being?
Every day, if I have time, I do a real practice: meditation, breathing, a vinyasa or a yin then savasana and energetic alignment.
If I don't have all that time, a mini meditation/breathing just an anchoring. It doesn't even take 5 minutes and sun salutations. 5 A; 5B and small Savasana.
What is the ritual of your practice?
There is no ritual. I try to listen to my body, my head, my energy and what I need there, in the present moment.
What do you get out of it?
Balance. Obviously, like everyone else, I am sometimes off-center, but I quickly notice it and manage to correct it quickly.
What do you carry in your yoga bag?
A reusable water bottle, leggings, sweaters, and a t-shirt. My mat. A towel. A small eye pillow and essential oils.
What is your favorite object/accessory?
My Mala necklaces. Every day, I choose one, a stone that inspires me. An energy that I want to cultivate during the day and a meditation tool during my many journeys.
What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?
Be in the moment and find that balance between effort and comfort in your practice.
Where/how do you practice?
At home, in my studio, at the hotel, outside, at the beach...
Everywhere.
What is your mantra/favourite phrase?
The Gayatri Mantra
The Sanskrit word "GAYATRI" is formed by two words: "ganat" (or "ganayat"), which means "that which is sung" and "trayate", which means "that which delivers". In other words, the GAYATRI MANTRA is a song of deliverance. The GAYATRI MANTRA is one of the oldest mantras on this planet. Its origins are unknown. It is said that wisdom is contained within the powerful Sanskrit syllables of GAYATRI and that the entire knowledge of all worlds was born from this mantra.
Om bhur bhuva swaha
That savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yonah prachodayat
photo credits - for @Yoga Journal France @anakaphotos
