Portrait of a gourmet yogini and author of the Yoga CookBook: Garlone Bardel

Let me introduce you to Garlone Bardel, she has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaches Yoga Nidra. But not only that, she is also a food stylist and author of the Yoga CookBook. I had the chance to meet her and join the launch of her new project: a reference book on Yogic nutrition.

This beautiful book takes up the ancestral principles of the yogi's diet, adapted to our Western lifestyle. A comprehensive, synthetic and in-depth collection that presents 108 recipes brought up to date, each more appetizing than the last, and 12-minute yoga sessions for harmony in yogic daily life. A real gem for all gourmet yogis and to experiment with yogic food principles.

It was only natural that I asked Garlone to take our little questionnaire so that she could share her well-being secrets with you.

How did you get into taking care of yourself?

Most certainly in reaction to the harshness of life, its frenetic pace, its immense demands and its sometimes difficult obstacles.

I saw that there were, in equal situations, the happy and the complainers, the enthusiasts and the eternal complainers. Those who see in gray and those who always see the spark and are amazed by it. So I looked for the instructions. Yoga gives it! For thousands of years, the yogis of ancient times have known how the body and the mind work. All adjustments are possible. The tools are there, available. You just have to use them!

I only hope for one thing: the day when we teach this to children as we teach them to read and count.

What practice for your well-being?

My sadhana (personal practice) is the same every day, defined for a specific duration and which has a previously defined objective (it can be physical, mental or spiritual).

For example for 3 months, then afterwards, an assessment... So, I pursue or redefine an objective.

It's good to have a great teacher to define your sadhana.

It is 12 minutes long: short and effective. 12 minutes is not much, and yet…every day…

Repetition marks destiny with a strong imprint.

Test it out….yoga can only be understood through experience.

To this I add two 21-minute meditation times.

Morning and evening, on an empty stomach. I have nothing but wonders to say about it. But above all, do it and see.

And every day, whenever I can, I do yoga nidra. I can't even imagine living without it! Yoga nidra relaxes and strengthens by eliminating all physical and mental tensions.

What is the ritual of your practice?

For my sadhana: same time every day, it includes asanas, pranayamas and meditation.

I precede this with some yogic cleansing (jala ​​neti, oil pulling….) All this is specified in the Yoga cookbook!

What do you get out of it?

Mental CLARITY, a body freed from too much tension, and an ability to cope whether the sea is calm or stormy!

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My Ekolite Manduka yoga mat…which I call my flying carpet! AND always, everywhere a yoga nidra that I can listen to wherever I am.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My mat! and maybe also my stole/dauthi which wraps me up for meditation times.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

Practice! “An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory”

Where/how do you practice?

Wherever I am, in the morning on an empty stomach, before the house gets busy! And in the evening, an airlock before dinner, then some mental practices before falling asleep.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

My personal mantra was given to me by an Indian Swami. It is not said!

But, my favorite phrase is a phrase from Gandhi, which basically says:

“I meditate 1 hour a day, but if I have too much work, I meditate 2 hours”