NATHALIE
DAOU
MY
JOURNEY
As my teacher says: "where there is life, there is yoga". Ever since I discovered the teachings of yoga I have been completely fascinated by it.
When I started learning yoga I was in my mid teenage years, already suffering from back pains. Yoga guided me in finding more understanding of my physical and energetic body, acting as therapy for my physical pains and mental wellness.As I dived deeper into the path of yoga I encountered the system called Ashtanga Yoga and found myself fully immersed in this practice is full of knowledge and wisdom. It helped me cure many pains in my body including back pains, and allowed me to keep a loving and humble attitude towards myself, nature and life.
I feel blessed to have been exposed to various cultures and beliefs, having a Lebanese father and Korean mother, born in Iran. I learnt to keep an open mind, an open heart and to cultivate kindness, patience, compassion. Having lived in various countries I have noticed that regardless of our nationalities, religion, or belief, we all have something in common, and that is to have faith. To have faith in ourselves, to make the effort required, and to surrender to the outcome. To have faith that this universe will catch us if we fall. And Ashtanga Yoga is not different, it is not only about making shapes with the body, but it is a tool for us to come back to our center. In fact, most of the teachings of yoga are not new to us, they are merely a reminder of what we already know but have somehow managed to forget.
Before I started to teach yoga I was working as producer in an advertising agency for over 8 years and couldn't be more grateful to have had that experience as it allowed me to build an understanding of many aspects of the life we are living in the present moment. Being exposed to the challenges of a relatively intense industry opened my eyes to the reality of most of us in this world today and has shaped the person I am now.
When I was introduced to Ashtanga, the connection was instant, and haven't stopped practicing and learning ever since. After over 15 years of dedicated daily practice, I started teaching yoga since 2012. It was a natural step forward to travel to Mysore to deepen my studies with R. Sharath Jois at the Shri K.Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, and have been going back ever since to visit my teacher at the Sharath Yoga Centre.
I am very humbled and grateful to be the first and only Lebanese practitioner to have received the blessings from my dear teacher R. Sharath Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga.
Yoga has been a part of my life since I can remember, and my practice has helped me grow stronger and at the same time maintain a forgiving attitude. Yoga inspires me to live each moment more mindfully to the fullest.
It is an honor to share my love and passion for this practice. I am forever grateful to my teacher.
Nathalie Daou
For the list of authorized teachers please check the link:
TURKEY RETREAT - MAY 14 TO MAY 20
Cesmekoy is a sustainable life project. Its boutique and rustic accommodations are nestled in the hills overlooking the Aegean Sea and surrounded by forest, homegrown and locally sourced produce, a wonderful setting to disconnect from the buzz of the city. This is a perfect opportunity to refresh and calm your mind and body fully balanced week of Ashtanga yoga practice, healthy eating, meditating, exploring but also time to relax.
ABOUT
ASHTANGA YOGA
The oldest remaining specific text was written by Patanjali, who summarised Ashtanga Yoga in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali’s teachings embraced the eight limbs of yoga.
The modern history of Ashtanga Yoga comes to us through Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who learned the practice from his teacher Rama Mohan Brahmachari, who lived in the Himalayan Mountains near Lake Manasarovar. Krishnamacharya was also able to track down an old copy of a document known as the Yoga Korunta in the old National Archives of India in Calcutta, which detailed philosophies, asanas, bandhas and many other elements of Ashtanga yoga. This was passed down to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who spent many years studying and teaching under him.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is widely regarded as having popularised modern Ashtanga Yoga, establishing the Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, KPJAYI. and devoting his life to the practice before passing away in 2009. The teaching was then passed down to his grandson, my teacher R. Sharath Jois who is currently in India/Mysore. Sharath Jois opened the Sharath Yoga Centre in 2019 and continues to spread the teachings of yoga.
This method of yoga involves synchronising the breath with a progressive series of postures, a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. The traditional teaching form is called Mysore Style. It is named after the town of Mysore, located in the South of India.
For more information on Ashtanga Yoga please visit www.sharathyogacentre.com
2 - WEEKS BEGINNERS COURSE - APRIL 8 TO APRIL 21
In this 2-week beginners course, we will dive into the practice of the Ashtanga Yoga method, exploring mostly asanas, breathing as well as some basic philosophical aspects of the practice.
You will learn and move step by step through the fundamental postures of the Ashtanga Yoga primary series sequence, with detailed instructions, experiencing the traditional way of learning the Ashtanga Yoga method.