French Yoga Community

What is the yoga block used for?

It is a yoga accessory used during your practice to relieve your joints. If certain postures require too much flexibility or balance, it will be a base for your hands, feet and torso. It will help you maintain a certain stability and hold your asanas in order to reap the benefits.

The yoga brick can also be useful during meditation phases, placed under your buttocks, it will help you to have a straight back, good alignment and to be comfortable for optimal relaxation.

Much like the bolster, the yoga block is a key accessory for types of yoga like Iyengar , where alignment and technique are key.

It is important to take several criteria into account when choosing your yoga brick :

• Its height : here you have to take into account your height and your flexibility,
• Its density : choose a density based on your weight,
• Its material : bamboo, EVA foam or cork, it's up to you to make your choice. Note that the material will affect the grip of the yoga block . A bamboo brick will be more slippery than a foam (EVA) or cork brick ,
• Its shape : square or rounded edges which will provide greater comfort in handling.

Some examples of asanas with a yoga block

• Posture Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
• Asana Utthita Trikonasana

How to take care of your yoga brick?

The yoga brick made of cork or foam (EVA) is very easy to maintain. All you need to do is take a little soapy water and lightly rub your yoga accessory . For the bamboo brick it's even simpler! The material being smooth, dirt cannot infiltrate the material. A little soapy water is enough.

Yoga blocks available in the store

TAYRONA recycled foam yoga brick – €9.90

• Weight : 300 g
• Dimensions : 6.6cm x 11cm x 22cm

The yoga brick was made in Germany from high density EVA foam (cellular rubber). Its edges are rounded for better comfort and elegance. The foam yoga block is very resistant, firm, soft and above all very comfortable. A very non-slip yoga accessory . Available in purple, black, royal blue, green, petrol blue, orange and burgundy.

Discover the recycled foam yoga brick

TAYRONA Standard cork yoga brick – €13

• Weight : 380 g
• Dimensions : 23cm x 12.5cm x 7.5cm

This cork yoga brick is made of 100% sustainable cork for an ecological and eco-responsible material. With a weight of less than 400 g, it knows how to be forgotten in your hand. The structure of this yoga accessory is solid, resistant and very firm. The cork texture and dimensions offer an easy and comfortable grip.

Discover the cork yoga brick

YOGAMAD Eco-Friendly Bamboo Yoga Brick – €19.90

• Weight : 700 g
• Dimensions : 5" x 9" x 3"

These laminated bamboo yoga blocks are hollow to keep the body weight down. Bamboo is a lightweight, strong and highly durable material. That's why Yoga Mad selected it for their brand new eco-friendly and eco-friendly yoga block .

Discover the ecological yoga brick

Find all our yoga blocks on the Tayronalife.com website.

Yin Yoga is a gentle yoga that involves performing still postures held long enough to work the deep muscles of your body. This type of yoga promotes relaxation, letting go, flexibility and health of the body. It focuses mainly on the body, but more particularly on the skeleton and connective tissues such as ligaments, joints or cartilage. It is complementary to more intensive and dynamic yoga practices such as Ashtanga or Vinyasa .

What does “Yin Yoga” mean?

First, let's go back to the symbol of Yin and Yang . This symbol represents the two fundamental principles of Chinese philosophy . Yin and Yang are complementary and designate two extremes. Yin (in black on the symbol) corresponds to what is passive, lunar, night, interior, water or even feminine. Yin is associated with autumn and winter. Yang (in white on the symbol) is equivalent to its opposite, and therefore is masculine, active, solar, light, exterior, day or even fire. It joins summer and spring.

Yin Yoga offers nowadays the opportunity to be in the present moment. Indeed, our current lifestyle is particularly stressful. Everything is based on speed and efficiency. We do not take the time to take a break! Yin Yoga therefore helps to balance the scales which tend much more towards the Yang side.

Where did Yin Yoga originate from?

Yin Yoga is a recent yoga created about twenty years ago. It comes from Taoism and Chinese medicine . Despite explanations about its founder that tend to get mixed up, here is the most plausible information that emerges: it would be Paulie Zink (master of Monkey Kung Fu) who would be the recognized inventor of Yin Yoga.

But, it was Paul Grilley in the 1990s, who trained Paulie Zink in Taoist yoga , who would have developed it and made it known. He published in 2001 " Taoist Yoga " which was renamed " Yin Yoga ". Paul Grilley also trained in anatomy and studied the meridians and chakras. Currently, most teachers are trained in Yin Yoga transmitted by Paul Grilley.

Yin Yoga occupies a large place in yoga classes today. It is very successful despite being considered a complementary discipline.

The main principles of Yin yoga

In Yin Yoga , the principle is to hold yoga postures for as long as possible (3 to 5 minutes), but this can go up to twenty minutes in a row! Be careful, the goal is not to force, but on the contrary to always remain comfortable.

This aims to work your body, your heart and your mind in depth. You will literally learn to " let go "! In the same way as an acupressure session, Yin Yoga has benefits on your body and in particular on your lower body. It will "cleanse" the energy channels of your body. But, Yin Yoga remains different from restorative yoga . It is a therapeutic yoga , but also very relaxing.

Who is Yin Yoga for?

Yin Yoga is a gentle yoga . It is aimed at beginners as well as more experienced yogis and yoginis. It is a yoga accessible to all , no matter what level you have. It invites calm and relaxation and is particularly recommended for people with hip or back pain.

How does a Yin Yoga class take place?

A Yin Yoga class includes yoga asanas held over time, as well as long stretches. In addition, slow and deep breathing is to be done during the postures. A Yin Yoga class lasts about 1h30 where the student will only perform 8 to 10 positions.

Despite the intense sensations and asanas that can sometimes take a long time to hold, Yin Yoga also plays on the mind and its control. Consequently, an increase in concentration will be felt. More experienced Yogis will have no trouble staying in a position for 10 to 15 minutes. As for beginner yogis, they will start by holding the postures for 3 to 5 minutes. The maximum not to be exceeded is 20 minutes.

What is the ideal equipment for practicing Yin Yoga?

For Yin Yoga , the most important thing is to invest in an eco-friendly yoga mat . The ideal cushioning is 4 to 6 mm to ensure better comfort necessary for your Yin Yoga practice. It is a gentle Yoga where asanas are held between 3 to 5 minutes on average or more. This requires a dense and comfortable yoga mat so as not to hurt yourself.

The Chakra EQ Love yoga mat is perfect for Yin Yoga , or the Yoga Mad Evolution yoga mats , sold in 4 or 6 mm. Do you want a yoga mat with a lifetime guarantee for regular use? The Manduka PROlite mat will delight you! If you want to practice at home, the Manduka MatPRO yoga mat will provide you with all the comfort you need thanks to its 6 mm thickness. Like the PROlite yoga mat , it is also guaranteed for life! However, in Yin Yoga , the possibility of using accessories to help and support yourself in the postures is possible. Mainly bricks , straps , bolsters and blankets .

What are the benefits of Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga is a yoga with multiple benefits.

This is a gentle yoga that will initially promote release and relaxation. It will improve the overall flexibility of your body. It will play a major role in the health of your body (joints, internal organs, connective tissues, etc.). Due to the long-term holding of the postures, it will aim to reach the deep tissues. Finally, it will be an excellent complement to all other forms of dynamic Yoga or active sports.

However, if you want to take full advantage of all these benefits, there are a few principles you should follow:

• Don't try to exceed your limits (at the risk of injury),
• Take your time and stay as calm as possible, trying not to move (calming and controlling your mind which can wander),
• Finally, stay in the postures as long as you can!

Discover a Yin yoga session

To discover a Yin yoga session click here .

Of French-American origin, Erika has traveled extensively in the United States. It was during a stay in New York that she discovered yoga.

After 5 years of practice, her passion for this philosophy led her to Goa in India to be certified as a Yoga teacher by the Yoga Alliance (RYS 200H).

She now teaches as a private and corporate coach.

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 gaining weight, feeling slowed down and unwell in my body, I naturally told myself that I had to do something about it. That's when I took the plunge and decided to change my lifestyle.

What practice for your well-being?

Vinyasa Yoga to energize my body and mind.
Yin Yoga to reduce my stress and stretch.

What is the ritual of your practice?

In the morning I wake up, drink a large glass of water and unroll my mat:
I practice meditation to refocus on myself,
I control my breathing and its energy through Pranayama,
I become more flexible and reconnect with my body through Asanas,
I feel the benefits of my practice through Savasana.

What do you get out of it?

I feel free physically and emotionally. Then I am able to overcome anything!

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My yoga mat, a bottle of water, leggings, a sports bra and a top.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My travel yoga mat, for practicing all over the world.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

Once on the mat, refocus on yourself, don't compare yourself because each body is different.

First of all, listen to yourself and your body.

Where/how do you practice?

In Paris at Affordable Yoga, because the prices are affordable and the teachers are top notch.
At home or in a park, I love to feel the wind on my skin.
When I travel, I like to meet new studios to learn new techniques. I teach yoga, but I will always remain a student!

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

After getting started with yoga, you quickly realize that a yoga mat alone is not enough. Some other yoga accessories are essential for the proper practice of this discipline. Among them, straps , bricks , bolsters , yoga towels ... and many others will be your best allies to practice without forcing, without hurting yourself and acquire good balance. Perfect alignment in all asanas allows the mind, breath and body to harmonize.

It is true that yoga tools are more commonly used in gentle yoga, such as Iyengar or restorative , where alignment and technique are emphasized. However, all of these yoga objects are perfect to support you in your practice and they will help you hold postures in a more controlled alignment. Indeed, it is important to maintain the asana for a certain time to be able to benefit from its benefits.

Also, contrary to popular belief, yoga props aren't just for beginners. And just because you're using them doesn't mean you're not strong or flexible enough. Sometimes yoga poses are more difficult to achieve than others, and even more experienced yoginis can use them to support their asanas.

Tayronalife asked yoga teacher Bénédicte Peroz to tell us what she thinks about accessories…

The yoga brick

Made of cork, foam (EVA) or bamboo, the yoga brick becomes a support for your hands, feet and/or torso. It is often used during standing positions, forward stretches, twists or to support your coccyx in Setu Bandha Sarvāngāsana . With its 23 cm long, 16 cm wide and 10 cm thick, this yoga accessory will provide you with support during your postures, whether standing or lying down. The yoga block will help you perform your asanas if they require too much effort or flexibility.

Discover our yoga bricks

The yoga bolster

The yoga bolster can be round or rectangular and measure more than 1 m long and 23 cm in diameter. When this yoga object is newly purchased, it is well rounded. After several uses, it gradually flattens to become more comfortable. Generally, the yoga accessory is densely filled with kapok or spelt husks to help you perform your postures, such as Supta Vīrāsana or Shavāsana , in a correct and comfortable way. It is seen as a support for practice, just like the brick or the strap. It is advisable to be careful to buy a yoga bolster surrounded by a removable cover in order to be able to wash it regularly.

Discover our yoga bolsters

The yoga towel

With a dimension of approximately 172 cm in length by 60 cm in width, the yoga towel is thin, grippy and lightweight, which is why you will have no trouble carrying it everywhere with you. This yoga textile has three main functions:

• Non-slip, if your hands sweat during your practice,
• Cushioning, for your knees when bent,
• Protection, to keep your yoga mat clean.

Discover our yoga towels

The yoga strap

This yoga accessory , made of thick woven cotton, about 2.50 m long with a metal buckle, will help you progress in your practice and have good alignment during the most difficult postures. It also promotes all forward stretches if you are very stiff or allows you to extend your leg in balance positions. The yoga strap is well suited for people who are less flexible and for whom the bolster or brick is not enough.

Discover our yoga straps

The Yoga Wheel

The yoga wheel , approximately 33 cm in diameter and 13 cm in width, is a perfect tool when you start practicing yoga. The yoga wheel will help you gain confidence in more technical postures (for example, a back extension) and perform your asanas safely. For more experienced yoginis, it will allow them to go further in their practice and exercise their balance.

Discover our yoga wheels

The yoga blanket

Generally, 2 m long by 1.20 m wide, the yoga blanket is most often made of cotton or recycled wool. Present in the rest or meditation phases, at the end or beginning of class, this yoga textile has several uses:

• Wrap yourself up warm during meditation and cover yourself during Savasana so as not to be cold,
• Like a cushion for the meditation phase ( yoga accessory folded in four),
• As a support when performing several positions such as Sālamba Sarvāngāsana , Halāsana …,
• Folded as support during postures such as forward bends or twists. If possible, it is recommended to have three blankets in order to have enough thickness to properly support your body during asanas.

Discover our yoga blankets

Yoga socks and gloves

These two yoga accessories are useful to bring you more comfort and more grip during your yoga practice. Specially designed to be non-slip, yoga socks and gloves will ensure you have a safe session. They are also perfect for people who are sensitive to the cold and want to cover their hands and feet to avoid getting cold when the mercury drops.

Discover our yoga socks and gloves

The meditation cushion (zafu)

The meditation cushion can be found in different shapes: round, square or half-moon. Whether during meditation sessions or during your yoga practice, you will often be asked to hold yourself in the Lotus posture (cross-legged). The zafu , more comfortable than the brick, will allow you to enjoy this moment of plenitude without worrying about your buttocks suffering on a floor that is too hard.

Discover our meditation cushions

The yoga chair

This yoga object may surprise you and you may wonder what a yoga chair is for? It's simple, it is made on the one hand to support you during your asanas and on the other hand, it is used for a more regenerative yoga (Nidra or restorative) or in therapeutic yoga (Iyengar). This yoga accessory will be useful to you during your stretches. This chair will quickly become your best friend to progress in your postures and in your daily exercises.

To learn more about chair yoga , we recommend reading “ Iyengar Chair Yoga Practice ”

More than a yoga mat ...your ally that protects you!

Kundalini, Bikram, Ashtanga… that's it, you've started yoga! A very good initiative that brings you multiple benefits for the body and mind. But, you already know that. The only downside is that your session is currently done on the studio's yoga equipment or on an old gym mat found in the cellar. This quickly causes you inconveniences and your practice is not done in the joy and good humor it should be. The solution is to buy your yoga mat in order to have a clean, hygienic accessory that smells like fresh air.

Buy your yoga mat to practice at home

Practicing on the studio floor mat is good, but it stays there and you can't take it home. So, how can you do the exercises learned in class, at home, without having your own yoga accessory ? Be careful, on the hard floor, a fitness mat or on your bed, let's not even talk about it, it's not a solution. You can hurt yourself. This is why it is necessary to acquire your own equipment so as not to use your good old gym mat or even worse camping mat, because they are not suitable.

Choosing the right yoga mat for your practice

A yoga mat is not a Pilates mat, or even a camping mat. It is an accessory that has its own characteristics adapted to the practice so as not to injure you: size, thickness, grip, material, so many elements that come into play. This floor mat is thinner (on average 5 mm) compared to the Pilates mat. Why, you might ask? To be more easily connected to the ground and to feel it easily during the performance of postures. But, also this yoga equipment is longer, rubbery and non-slip so as not to slip during asanas, especially dynamic ones.

Invest in a more hygienic and good-smelling yoga mat

Postures on the hands, lying down or barefoot… I am sure that you do not want to put your hands and feet anywhere or even worse your face. In the studio, several yogis practice on the same yoga mat , which are sometimes not cleaned after each use. So, hello bad hygiene and unpleasant odor. With perspiration, bacteria nestle comfortably on the material leaving a yoga accessory that smells bad. After reading this you will not be a few euros away from owning a yoga mat .

Acquiring a yoga mat is symbolic and personal

The floor mat is not just a simple piece of inert material. It is also the symbol of your intimate space during the yoga session. A place of introspection and relaxation to find yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. So, as you will have understood, your accessory is quite personal, like your friend and the accomplice of your practice, because you will not want to use someone else's. And even less lend yours, which could be taken as a violation of your privacy.

Discover our buying guide to find out how to choose your yoga mat .

Discover all our yoga mats

An explorer at heart and fascinated by human potential, Sandra travels to the four corners of the world to experiment with different approaches that help find the path to harmony and fulfillment .
Nothing excites her more than sharing them in a modern way, adapted to today's world.

After seeking the sources of yoga in India during an initial training, she deepened her teaching with advanced training in “ashtanga” yoga in Thailand. She then had the privilege of spending 3 months in Hawaii alongside Norman Allen, a great spiritual master who was the first American to have studied with Pattabi Jois, founder of “ashtanga” yoga. She continued to explore this age-old discipline with training focused on the therapeutic aspect alongside Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine, then recently she immersed herself in Kundalini yoga. The different facets of yoga and meditation that she transmits today are based on an approach that takes into account the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of each person.

It is with this in mind that I have the pleasure of transmitting in different ways my global approach to health and well-being to all those who are looking for lasting and deep happiness: themed workshops, yoga retreats in France and abroad, hypnosis sessions and individual support, videos on YouTube, blog, publications in the press, and then more recently with the launch of my online coaching program #magicallyou as well as the release of my first book with Editions Hachette Bien-Être, "3 months to adopt a healthy life".

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?

I found myself as a computer engineer at La Défense, locked in a tower all day. I no longer saw any point in it, I was completely switched off, and my life was chaotic. One day I said to myself: "but how did I get here? It's not possible, this can't be (only) this life." I realized at that moment that I really had to take my life back in hand and that it was time to ask myself the right questions and stop pretending.

I then resigned quite abruptly to embark on this wonderful adventure that has brought me to where I am today.

What practice for your well-being?

I have a personal practice of kundalini yoga in the morning, and I also do vinyasa and yin. I also like to do my new moon rituals, my meditations, and I chant more and more mantras.

What is the ritual of your practice?

When I wake up I do my kundalini yoga practice (with mantras, kriyas, meditation, and relaxation) then I have a cold shower ritual (I have a youtube video about it; https://youtu.be/bNjUmrOKVq8) which consists of first doing a dry brushing, then putting oil all over my body (I love coconut oil), then going under cold water for about 5 min. It's a ritual that I never imagined I would be able to do one day, but now I love it! I come out with clear ideas, lots of energy, and a mind ready for anything. After that comes the reward, a breakfast full of nutrients and good things. And only after all that can my day begin J

What do you get out of it?

So many things! My practice is my pillar, my base. I draw my energy, my inspiration, my strength, my enthusiasm from it… I fill myself with gratitude, I open my heart, I cultivate hope. And also, my practice is my guide. Every time I have a decision to make, I rely on my practice.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

Not much, just a yoga mat.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

I really like crystals, malas, etc. but I don't really have a favorite object. I travel so much that I have learned to detach myself more and more from the material. I appreciate objects and accessories, but none are essential.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

Follow your intuition!

This is a sentence I hated hearing when I was completely lost (I thought "yes yes easy to say but it doesn't really help me"), and now it's my turn to say it. I truly believe that we all have the answers within us, and that we are guided at every moment. When we start to trust the messages of our body, our intuition and the "signs" of the Universe, we embark on a surprising adventure that exceeds anything we could have imagined!

Where/how do you practice?

Everywhere. With all the traveling I do, I find myself practicing anywhere. Mat or not, I adapt. In airports, hotel rooms, outdoors, etc… it's a great luxury when I practice in a room with a "real" yoga mat J

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

A little girl from the North, Mélanie comes from a village near Arras, surrounded by nature where everyone knows each other and where gossip is rife.
She grew up in one of those red brick houses, typical of the north. Passionate about travel, it is difficult for her to stay in one place, whether it is weekends here and there or a month of discovery while backpacking.

Of a somewhat contradictory nature, she likes rock sounds as well as melodious sounds, thriller books as well as those on personal development, red wine as well as detox juices, fantasy films as well as auteur films...

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?

Simply by becoming aware of the good that it brought to my body and my mind. We reap much more by taking the time to take care of ourselves.

What practice for your well-being?

For my well-being, I have a sample of practices. From yoga to massage to all kinds of treatments. Depending on my body's needs, I choose Yin when it is tired. Pranayama or Thai massage come to my aid when I lack vitality. Ashtanga or Vinyasa always accompanies me when I need to move my body. Relaxing massages and treatments are extras to make me feel good.

What is the ritual of your practice?

My practice changes a lot but I do have a habit. My day always starts with a morning ritual (tongue scraper and warm lemon juice) to wake me up properly, then followed by my practice, more or less long depending on the time I have (pranayama and asanas). The day continues with a delicious breakfast of fruit, muesli, peanut butter toast and green tea. In my opinion, the best meal of the day J So I take my time and get up early enough to enjoy this special moment!

What do you get out of it?

This little ritual with my practice gives me a gentle awakening and a nice energy to start the day. It brings me a lot to start by refocusing and giving my body what it needs. I am much more productive!

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

Nothing special! My Manduka mat, a towel, a bottle of water and often a book.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My favorite object is a piece of jewelry that I have had since my training in India. It is a silver necklace with the Tree of Life as a pendant.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

My advice would be to not have any goals or expectations through their practice, but simply to appreciate the flow as it is. It is easy to put pressure on yourself. With this approach I have had some very nice surprises, like entering a posture that was supposedly inaccessible to me.

Where/how do you practice?

I practice at home, according to my desires or with Yogaglo, which allows me to practice with great teachers. However, I am always looking for new classes in Paris to try and I jump on the classes and workshops of Parisian teachers that I respect and inspire me.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

When you want something, the whole universe conspires to make it happen – quote from a book by Paulo Coelho (an author I particularly like).

Don't hesitate to discover even more by subscribing to her Instagram page and visiting her blog .

After practicing rhythmic gymnastics for around twenty years, Coelia started yoga for physical and sporting reasons.

However, her interest in practice and philosophy quickly evolved and she quickly trained to become a yoga teacher.
Share by moving your body and freeing your mind thanks to fluid, dynamic sequences and in a relaxed atmosphere, these are the watchwords of Coelia's classes!

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 practicing Rhythmic Gymnastics very intensely for more than 15 years, and having stopped because of going abroad, my body and my mind wanted to find this feeling of fullness specific to each passion.

Yoga then imposed itself quite quickly. In addition, I was a flight attendant with a very busy schedule, so it had become almost natural for me to want to preserve my health by taking care of myself.

What practice for your well-being?

Yoga first and foremost. Being able to find myself on this mat moving without thinking too much gives me an indescribable good.

Listen to music.

Read

Always make time for little pleasures (a bath, a manicure, a massage, etc.)

Travel. For me it’s essential!

What is the ritual of your practice?

It's never really the same, since it depends on my schedule.

By becoming a Yoga teacher, I unfortunately no longer have as much time for my personal practice, but as soon as I find a free moment, I roll out my mat, with music that inspires me and I let my body express itself.

What do you get out of it?

For a few minutes, my mind calms down… I find myself far from this hectic Parisian pace. Far from this social pressure and these constant judgments. I find myself there, simply being myself. Without expectations…

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My Lululemon mat

My water bottle (I teach a lot at Yuj Yoga Studio in the heat, so I need to hydrate extra)

A massage oil to pamper my students.

A change of clothes (leggings, bra and crop top)

What is your favorite object/accessory?

Leggings! I think I have about forty of them :D

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

To take the plunge.

To try, despite the stereotypes, the looks of others, to propel yourself for at least 60 minutes into this bubble that a Yoga practice can represent.

Perhaps also try to find the type of Yoga that suits you, try it out and define your own tastes.

And remember that perfect postures do not exist, everyone has their own pace, and it is never the appearance of the asanas that counts but the path taken which is all the more important.

Where/how do you practice?

With my favorite teachers:
Tatiana and Alexander at YUJ YOGA STUDIO
Benoit at YOGA VILLAGE
Manon at SIMONE
Alix at BROMANCE
Alexandra at BANDHA YOGA

I also love Sabrina's Yin which allows me to approach a gentler, more comforting practice.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

"We travel around the world looking for something and we come home to find it - George Moore"
Gayatri Mantra, sung by Deva Premal

Don’t hesitate to find her on her Instagram and on her blog .

Photo taken by: Chloe Vollmer Lo

Born in the 80s in the paradise of Annecy, Xavier grew up among cows and bourgeois while going mountain climbing and managing to avoid associating with either.

It was only around 2015 that he finished with the validation of his CNAM engineering diploma, the peristyle of his open-mindedness. Thus, it was around these years that his real training began and the unveiling of his true mission on his life path.

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 come to take care of yourself? ?

I finally came to understand that I had to take care of myself after hitting two big walls, at the end of a long gradation that I was not necessarily aware of, that is to say following a traumatic event in me and one in front of my face. I first had a herniated disc while I was writing my thesis as a computer engineer in business, there I understood things about illusions and the signals that the universe was sending all the time in fact, and that pain is a marker that indicates very clearly that something is wrong. A year later, I saw my mother die in front of my eyes and there I understood that I had to decondition myself to stop wasting my time and letting myself be scattered between the different illusions of this world. In my opinion, deconditioning allows us to reconnect with who we really are and in this the practice of Yoga is really ideal. For me it goes well beyond a simple physical practice since I find there all the sometimes advanced spiritual concepts that I have seen up to now.

What practice for your well-being?

Satiam Yoga for my well-being, I started Yoga 3 or 4 years ago in Ashtanga and I continue this practice which interests me more and more, following my meeting with great Yogis.

What is the ritual of your practice?

The ritual is meditation and core strengthening, combined with good breathing techniques.

What do you get out of it?

I get incredible benefits from it and the connection aligned to something greater than myself.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

In my bag I have a mat and indigo shorts.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

My favorite accessory would be a 108 mala made from bodhi tree seeds (but I don't take it with me very often).

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

For Yoginis: enjoy doing what you want because you are beautiful no matter what. "Practice and all is coming".

Where/how do you practice?

I practice in an ashram or outdoors on my terrace, or in places that inspire me. I am very sensitive to energies. I practice alone or in a group, it depends on the law of attraction.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

My mantra is Gayatri om buhr buvah svaha tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dimahi diyo yona prachodayat. I have always found myself on this frequency.

Let me introduce you to Laure, the founder of YOGA Connect , the first online yoga class subscription platform in France!

She is 30 years old and has been practicing yoga for 10 years. To further her practice, she obtained her teacher's certificate a year ago.

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?

I started yoga when I was a student in Los Angeles: I immediately loved this practice, as soon as I left class I felt cleansed!

What practice for your well-being?

I practice vinyasa and yin: vinyasa when I need a boost, to tone up, to practice postures that challenge me… Yin is more in the evening or on the weekend: it's a moment of deep relaxation where I stretch and work on my patience (we hold the postures for several minutes)

I meditate every day: whether it's traditional meditation, or sometimes more simply by lighting a few candles and setting an intention for my day or to end it.

What is the ritual of your practice?

I don't really have a ritual: that's why I created YOGA Connect, because I love practicing at home, on vacation, whenever I want, for as long as I need. So my practice is quite variable! But I practice 3 to 5 times a week. My only ritual is to make sure that no one is going to disturb me!

What do you get out of it?

I always feel great afterwards: as if I had just taken a sea bath! Invigorated and clean from the inside.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

My yoga mat, my palmarosa essential oil (natural deodorant) and my water bottle for my herbal tea or lemon water depending on the season!

What is your favorite object/accessory?

I have jewelry that I never take off, “gri-gri” gifts with a strong sentimental value.

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

Practice a little every day, even just 5 minutes of breathing, you will see it become automatic, like brushing your teeth!

Where/how do you practice?

Everywhere, all the time, according to my needs, my desires, according to the time I have in front of me. My practice corresponds completely to YOGA Connect.

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

If you want to know more and/or get started with "online yoga", check out her website and Instagram page.

Let me introduce you to Ophélie, originally from Lyon. She works in communications and runs the blog Lotus & Bouche Cousue .

Her blog is the fruit of a passion for writing, better living and sharing. Her whole family comes from Lozère, a very rural department, which allowed her to grow up with the values ​​of a healthy lifestyle and natural food, ultimately organic before organic!

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 come to take care of yourself?

I had an education that was quite focused on others, mutual aid, open-mindedness and with a fairly psychological approach to human nature because my parents work in these fields. All mixed with the notions of a balanced and sensible diet (but with a little too much butter perhaps!). It is quite naturally that the philosophy "Mens sana in corpore sano" motivated my way of life.

What practice for your well-being?

I practice fitness very regularly, it frees me. I feel such lightness at the end of the session, such mental comfort that I could not do without it. I discovered Vinyasa Yoga this year thanks to Solenne, co-founder of Bulle Yoga in Lyon. I really fell in love with this practice which relies a lot on core strengthening, a practice that I particularly like because it is non-traumatic for the body and formidable against little love handles! In the end, I did not find fitness and vinyasa yoga so far apart...

What is the ritual of your practice?

It's quite simple: always have a sports bag ready in the trunk of my car so that I can always practice even on days that were not initially planned! So every night before going to bed I repack my bag.

What do you get out of it?

I get a physical and psychological well-being that are inseparable. I feel relieved of tensions, I feel in control of my life, which for me is very important and a source of comfort. Finally, I must recognize that having a body in which I feel comfortable is also a real happiness.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

Finally, my fitness bag and my yoga bag are identical! Except that for fitness I arm myself with a very motivating playlist. I am never without my water bottle that I force myself to empty at the end of the session.

What is your favorite object/accessory ?

Definitely a hair elastic! When I forget it I am in total distress!

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

I am still a beginner in yoga. But I would generally advise each of the Tayrona Yogis to stop having limiting beliefs. One day, someone told me "it is not reality that limits you, it is the idea that you have of it" and that allowed me to change the window through which I observed my life.

Where/how do you practice?

I practice yoga today at Bulle Yoga in Lyon, after a day of work.

What is your mantra/ favourite phrase?

Let me introduce you to Carole, a yoga teacher and blogger in her spare time.

Carole (aka Smootheries) is a thirty-something mom who runs the blog Smootheries . When she has a few hours to herself (which aren't very many, given that she likes to do a lot of activities!), she likes to update her blog around the themes of yoga and lifestyle. She teaches Vinyasa Yoga, as well as Yin Yoga in Paris. And since the beginning of 2018, she has chosen to leave her career in economic regulation and law to devote herself to her passion, teaching yoga.

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?

In 2008, I was starting my professional life and had just met my current partner, when, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, I was living on pizza and steak tartare, smoking a lot and drinking gallons of coffee and beer. During my chemotherapy treatment, which lasted 9 months, and especially at the end of it, I discovered yoga, stopped smoking, and began to take an interest in the effects of diet and physical exercise on my health, my body and my morale. 10 years later, I am a sports instructor, yoga teacher, vegan… and I still enjoy wine!

What practice for your well-being?

Yoga! I like to combine complementary practices: I like Vinyasa Yoga above all, for its fluidity, freedom, and movement (even if I practiced Ashtanga Yoga and Vinyasa alternately for years before turning more frankly to Vinyasa), but I make sure to maintain a physical practice that is not yoga, because I do not want "my yoga" to become "my sport". I really like Circuit Training for that (I also teach an intensity called HIIT Yoga, in which we exert ourselves, we laugh, we do inversions, to be able to return more peaceful and without this need for energy expenditure to our yoga practice). I also practice and teach Yin Yoga, which allows, in my opinion, to reconnect with stillness, with oneself, far from the distractions of movement, postures, and even breathing. And then meditation, too, is essential for me (even if it’s sometimes only 3 minutes a day!).

What is the ritual of your practice?

When I still had an office life, I was 100% “Morning Yoga”: I would wake up earlier than everyone else at home, put on a pair of leggings, go to my mat in the living room and do between 15 and 60 minutes of yoga, depending on the morning. It could be very gentle yoga, or Ashtanga, or a Vinyasa adapted to my energy of the day.

Now that I devote myself to teaching, the ritual is harder to find: I regularly leave home at 6:45 am, regularly come home after 9 pm and my schedule is different every day of the week… so I don't have much of a ritual anymore, but I practice whenever I can! Some days, it's at 10 am between two classes, in a studio, others, after my daughter goes to bed at 8:30 pm in my living room, some still, 30 minutes at the end of the afternoon… I have tried to detach myself from the ritual, because unless I get up at 5 am (non-negotiable!) it is no longer possible for me, and I have to seize every opportunity to practice, when it presents itself!

What do you get out of it?

Without wanting to exaggerate, yoga has completely changed my life! I was an insomniac, not in great health, super anxious and Madame Impatience. Over the years, these characteristics obviously remain, they are part of me, but I feel much calmer, serene, composed, I never take more than 15 minutes to fall asleep and I just feel like I find fulfillment in everyday life, which I had trouble finding before.

What do you carry in your yoga bag?

A Yuj mat, a roll-on with essential oils, a bottle with water for after practice. And for teaching: my notebook, a small speaker for music, my phone for playlists.

What is your favorite object/accessory?

I am less and less attached to objects... but I don't practice without a clean, non-slip yoga mat (that is to say, I only use my mats, and never the ones on loan where I go, that's my manic side!).

What would be your advice for Tayrona Yoginis?

Take the time to find YOUR own practice: far from dogmas, standards, just do what feels good on your mat (or elsewhere). Not doing yoga because you feel like if you haven't done 1h30, it's useless, is a trap that we all succumb to one day, or because it's too hard, we're not flexible enough, or we're bored... By testing lots of things, we realize that we can all find what suits us in yoga, and get the well-being and joy it can provide.

Where/how do you practice?

When I can, where I can! I try to go to the studio to practice once or twice a week: letting someone else guide me, without thinking, for a whole hour, is enriching and continues to nourish my practice (and my teaching!). The rest of the time, it's often 10 to 30 minutes, here and there, when I have a little gap in my schedule, but I try to make it happen at least once a day!

What is your mantra/favourite phrase?

"How Soon Is Now?"

This title of the Smiths song, printed on a yoga t-shirt that I have had for years and love, reminds me to focus on the present moment, me who has this tendency to anticipate and get impatient!

Find her on her blog Smoothies and on her Instagram page