Portrait of a yogi with a passion for cooking: Marie Wittock

Her passions for cooking and yoga have always guided Marie: yoga is what first awakened in her the appetite for better nutrition.

After living in an ashram for 3 months, her daily life changed completely! Apart from daily meditations and regular practice of postures, healthy eating is an aspect of yogic life that she was able to discover. Alongside the greats of living cuisine (Martine Fallon in Belgium and Matthew Kenney in the United States), Marie developed her skills and knowledge in this area. At 23, Marie is the founder of the blog La Meilleure Part , a yoga teacher at the Yoga Room and is behind the stoves of the Tero restaurant in Brussels.

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?

After my ashram experience, I pursued a "sattvic" lifestyle, or "healthy"/"conscious" lifestyle, specific to yoga. At only 18 years old, I paid great attention to my lifestyle, taking care of my diet, ritualizing my mornings with meditation and breathing exercises, and practicing yoga daily.

What practice for your well-being?

Hatha yoga, and in all its forms! Postures and breathing exercises are just two of the many techniques of hatha yoga. Meditation, as well as the moral and ethical philosophy of hatha yoga, are just as important as the physical aspect of the discipline. Hatha yoga begins with the physical body, and then moves on to the mind. By taking control of the physical, we gain control of the mind, and therefore of thoughts and emotions.

What is the ritual of your practice?

I practice Sivananda yoga (a form of hatha yoga named after its founder, Swami Sivananda). A session usually begins with an initial relaxation. Then come breathing exercises (pranayamas: Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma), to allow the mind to sink into a state of calm and concentration; then, the sun salutation (Surya Namaskar), to warm up the body before entering stable postures (asanas). The session consists of about 12 asanas and ends with a final relaxation.

What do you get out of it?

Practicing yoga gives me a real presence to myself, to my environment and to others. After taking or giving a yoga session, my mind is much clearer, my thoughts go to the essential and my emotions are completely stabilized. I feel energized physically and mentally, which gives me a very powerful feeling of being able to do anything!

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My mat, of course! But above all, I never go anywhere without my water bottle. To quench my thirst and not waste plastic, I always carry this perfect stainless steel container, from the Qwetch brand, 100% healthy and sustainable. I even customized it by dressing it with Yoga Room bracelets.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

Can I say "my gourd"?

Besides that, my new Amazonite stone bracelet (on sale at Nasoha), offered by my lover. In addition to being a sentimental object, this crystal jewel strengthens the energies of freedom, expression, communication and creativity. Ideal for teaching or practicing!

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

A quote from the Upanishads: “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch you words, they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your clothes; they become your character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny. »*

* translation: “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your personality. Watch your personality; it shapes your destiny.”

Where/how do you practice?

I practice at the Yoga Room and at home. My practice at the studio is more rooted in a process of receptivity, evolution and learning, while my practice at home is more meditative, introspective and therapeutic. In both cases, I practice in a state of mindfulness.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

“Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha”, the mantra of Ganesh, which earned me the spiritual name “Uma”, during my initiation into a personal mantra. This mantra is known to overcome obstacles encountered in life and brings success.