Portrait of a Yogini: Anne-Sophie Richard, specialist in massages and Ayurvedic treatments

I met Anne-Sophie at a girls' dinner organized by my yoga teacher. That day, she was wearing a loose yellow sweater and this color was the image of what she radiated; a sun. Anne-Sophie is one of those people who are described as sunny and sweet. Her voice is calm, the attention and listening she gives you immediately engulfs you in a universe of well-being and trust. I was immediately charmed and very quickly, I went to consult her for an Ayurvedic treatment.

She determined my Ayurvedic profile through a list of questions and I immediately appreciated the care she gave me during my first massage which aimed to balance my doshas. Today, I consult her regularly and these are real moments of happiness.

Very curious, I asked her a few personal questions about her well-being recipe that I am sharing with you today.

How did you get into taking care of yourself?

In 2008, my body reminded me of the order, I had my first attack of periarthritis (calcification on the tendons of the shoulders). I had just experienced my first human disappointment in 2007: It was a disastrous professional association with a specialist in moral harassment. A storm experienced like a message in a bottle... Anger against injustice and powerlessness invaded me, my Pitta climbed to its peak, my tissues
dried up and my tendons became inflamed…a classic scenario. My doctor suggested that I practice yoga regularly to regain flexibility and re-open my body. From then on, I knew that I had met a beautiful person, “Yoga”, a practice that never leaves you alone, that restores your confidence and allows your body to regain a harmonious vital energy.

What practice for your well-being?

My practice is as varied as a painter's palette. It varies according to the seasons, my mood, my discoveries, my aspirations. The practice can be anchored, encompassing and low in the fall, active vertical and warming in the heart of winter, refreshing and internalized in summer, etc.

What is the ritual of your practice?

I always start my day with my self-habyanga (5 minutes of self-massage), then with the oil doing its job, I do 15 minutes of asanas to evacuate toxins and loosen the body, and 10 minutes of mantra and meditation, finally I always finish with 5 minutes of Pranic practice (to prepare myself for the massage).

What do you get out of it?

The oil grounds me and makes me supple, the asanas wake me up and cleanse me, the mantras and the Pranic practice calm my mind…I feel good, ready to experience everything I have to experience……

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My music and a barrette. And a Manduka Ekolite Yoga mat made of natural rubber.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

The warm shawl my son brought me back from Mexico…
What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?
“do little if you want, but every day” a regular ritual brings freedom, contrary to popular belief…

Where/how do you practice?

I practice everywhere... in my living room, by the lake, at the top of a mountain, and I love taking advantage of a class from my colleagues to take my place as a student again and learn, always understanding new sensations.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

The Gayatri Mantra recharges me like a battery. I keep repeating it to myself

"do your best and be happy"

If you want to know more, check out his FB Page Yan Bija

And his site: Yan Bija