NATHALIE
DAOU
MY
Story
Get to Know ME
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.
My journey with yoga began in my mid-teenage years when I was already experiencing back pains. Yoga became my guiding light, offering me a deeper understanding of my physical and energetic body. It acted as therapy for my physical pains and contributed to my mental wellness. As I delved deeper into the path of yoga, I encountered the system called Ashtanga Yoga and found myself fully immersed in a practice rich with knowledge and wisdom. It not only helped me alleviate physical pains but also fostered a loving and humble attitude towards myself, nature, and life.
I feel blessed to have been exposed to various cultures and beliefs, being born to a Lebanese father and Korean mother in Iran. This upbringing taught me to keep an open mind, a gentle heart, and to cultivate kindness, patience, and compassion. Living in different countries revealed a common thread among us, regardless of nationality, religion, or belief – the importance of faith. Faith in ourselves, the effort required, and surrendering to the outcome. Faith that the universe will catch us if we fall. Ashtanga Yoga, too, is not just about shaping the body; it is a tool for us to return to our center. In fact, most of the teachings of yoga are not new; they are reminders of what we already know but have somehow managed to forget.
Before I started teaching yoga, I worked as a producer in a production house for about 8 years. I am grateful for that experience as it allowed me to understand various aspects of our present life. Exposure to the challenges of an intense industry opened my eyes to the reality faced by many in today's world and played a significant role in shaping the person I am today.
When introduced to Ashtanga, the connection was instant, and I haven't stopped practicing and learning since. With about 20 years of dedicated daily practice, I began teaching yoga in 2012.
Traveling to Mysore to deepen my studies with R. Sharath Jois at the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute was a natural step forward, and I have been returning ever since to visit my teacher at the Sharath Yoga Centre.
I am humbled and grateful to be the first Lebanese practitioner to have received blessings from my dear teacher R. Sharath Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga.
Yoga has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and my practice has helped me grow stronger while maintaining a forgiving attitude. It inspires me to live each moment mindfully and to the fullest.
It is an honor to share my love and passion for yoga. I am forever grateful to my Guru.
Nathalie Daou
For the list of authorized teachers please check the link:
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 20 TO MAY 3
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.