Let me introduce you to Maria Blinova, certified in naturopathy and passionate about ecology.

Her favorite color is orange and she collects everything that makes her feel good. It was Saint-Exupéry who taught her to answer this rather banal presentation question, in a different and unexpected way. Maria has her head a little in the stars, she is also optimistic and dreamy, but at the same time she is very perfectionist and rigorous in her life projects. Regular physical activity, a diet adapted to her needs and beliefs, healthy relaxation and sleep, a fulfilling family life allow her to maintain the inner balance between these sometimes contradictory character traits.

Recently certified in Naturopathy, she was finally able to lay scientific foundations for her knowledge and practices present since her early childhood. Their 4-month-old daughter and their installation project with her husband who is a specialist in permaculture occupy them today on a daily basis.

Next year they would like to open a place of ecological education, a place of welcome and sharing, of well-being and connection to nature in the Grenoble region. But before realizing it they will do a little road by electric bike in France to meet the actors of the ecological transition, to be inspired, learn and exchange on the subjects of well-being, health, alternative education, agroforestry and permaculture.

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 to take care of yourself?

For me it's a question of education. My parents taught me to listen to myself and keep the connection with nature. I hope to be able to pass on this knowledge of living to my daughter and many others.

What practice for your well-being?

Good food hygiene. But not only when it comes to nutrition. It is also the supply of pure air, clean water, inspiring social contacts…

Regular physical activity: yoga is something I started practicing especially during pregnancy and that's how I discovered its wonderful benefits.

It was a time when I had to give up my favorite activities like running, mountain hiking, cycling and diving.

What is the ritual of your practice?

Right now it's my favorite time. In Corsica! Sun salutations at 6:30 in the morning, before my daughter wakes up and while my husband prepares our breakfast. On the wooden terrace, by the sea, overlooking the waves, the sun at my back, on my new Manduka Superlite yoga mat.

What do you get out of it?

I have noticed that with this ritual I approach my day in a much more relaxed way. The projects that we have at the moment with my partner demand a lot of time and energy, in addition to breastfeeding and sleep that I have not yet completely found since the birth of our daughter. So it is a ritual that allows me to remain calm and pleasant in front of myself and my environment, to keep my optimism and the energy to continue our path and explore new ones.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

Manduka Superlite yoga mat, Hydrapak water bladder. (Made of biodegradable materials, odorless and tasteless)

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My mat! I spent a lot of time choosing it and got advice from Mathilde, a Naturopath and Yoga teacher friend, as well as Patricia.

There were many points to take into account in order to meet my requirements: lightness (because we are on the move a lot and I really like to do my sun salutations in unusual places), perfect adhesion, materials that are not harmful to the environment or to health, a pleasant color, a certain finesse in order to maintain the energetic connection to the ground.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

I hope that Tayrona Yoginis do not practice Yoga as a weekly physical activity, as stress management or as a means of weight loss following an inappropriate diet.

For me it is a more global philosophy of life that goes hand in hand with our way of consuming, of interacting with our environment, of taking responsibility for our actions and non-actions... It is a way of reconnecting with our surroundings and with ourselves, therefore listening to it, respecting it, caring for it and preserving it.

Where/how do you practice?

During pregnancy I practiced it in a small ^9m2 room in the morning and evening. After giving birth it was mainly a morning activity, after running in our apartment. Now it is mainly a special moment that replaces other physical activities of the day. I alternate with running, cycling, hiking and swimming. This summer I will practice it in the gardens of permaculture farms all over France!

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

Find out about their adventures and the opening of their place on their Facebook page: Educologîte Tour 2018