Yoganida

~Yog’Art~
Among the first standing poses yogis typically come across aside from the warriors, they'll most likely encounter extended triangle pose, aka utthita trikonasana (where kona means angle). While it may be considered as "basic" by some, it's certainly not easy to do and there are numerous ways to spice things up ;)
We love it as it keeps the spine healthy, strengthens the back, stretches the hamstrings & inner thighs, and opens the shoulders, chest and hips. Besides, it also stimulates the abdominal organs.
How to?
*From a standing position at the top of your mat, take a big step back with the right foot
*As you make sure not to cross the heels, bring your back foot at a 90 degree angle
*Keeping both feet grounded and both legs straight, with the arms extended parallel to the ground, the chest open and the abs engaged, tilt forward from your hips (not your waist), and bring your front hand to your front leg
*Gently press the back of your hand onto the inside of your leg as you revolve your chest towards the ceiling
*Bring your shoulderblades closer to one another as you align the top arm with the bottom one, engaging the fingers of both hands
*Reach from the back foot to the crown of your head, maintaining the head in line with the rest of your spine and cultivating length on both flanks
*Stay for several breaths before coming out & repeating on the other side
If you'd like to explore a deeper version of the pose:
1. Adjust the position of your hands/fingers, e.g. grabbing your big toe
2. Bring both arms by the ears and feel the side abs firing up
3. Gaze sideways or upwards (cfr drawing of , it'll make it a lot more challenging for your balance ;)
NB: We don't like placing the hand onto the front leg as it may create tension/hyperextension onto the back of the knee.

~ La minute Marie-Laure ~ 🌺
As Yoganida’s next chapter is getting more and more concrete every day, and while I know deep down that both consulting and yoga are part of my balance, one of the questions I'm dealing with these days is how much space do I want to give to each professional side of me.
Without the financial & mental pressure of the physical space which hosted Yoganida for over 3 years and the freedom to operate it creates, I do wonder: how many classes a week do I want to teach? Which types of classes? More privates or more group classes? When? Do I want to keep my weekends entirely free from teaching moving forward? How many evenings a week do I want to dedicate to teaching, if any? Etc. Etc. Etc.
I don’t have final answers to all these questions just yet, but soon enough, I’ll get there. And till then, I’m very much enjoying the process of starting from a blank sheet of paper, and focusing on my very own needs, desires and aspirations. And no one else’s.
Because yoga, just like pretty much anything in life, starts from the self.

C.L.U.T.T.E.R.
Usually when we’re moving out of a given place, we sort things out, we throw away or donate some items, but most of our belongings simply follow us.
As I’m letting go of Yoganida’s first home and won’t be needing most of these items for the very next chapter of the Yoganida adventure, I’m also letting go of most of what’s inside this home away from home I’ve built from scratch a little over 3 years ago. And I have to say that the fact that it feels weird is an understatement. As I put a lot of effort back then into finding what best embodied Yoganida’s philosophy and really wanted the space to feel warm, joyful, cosy and caring, seeing all these things go is somehow heartbreaking. On the other hand though, just like I created our ‘yoga nest’ repurposing and upcycling existing material, what does really fill my heart with joy is knowing that this very first Yoganida studio will live on in other people’s homes. Next to receiving compliments on my choices of course ;) And while I do want to keep 1-2 small things from this first chapter, most of what I want to keep are memories within me.
And no matter how ‘saddening’ decluttering may feel, it also does feel truly liberating as well ;)
Letting go of what’s holding me back somehow.
Creating space for what’s to come.
And moving on.