Martine BOUNET

That being said, I do not have any religious education. But then religion and spirituality are different subjects.

When it comes to Yoga, it was when living in Chicago, USA that I attended my first Yoga (postural) class. I felt so good at the end of the session.

Once in London, UK, my interest for Yoga grew tremendously. I remember going to some Satsangs (Yogic chants) and meditation sessions at the Sivananda center which led me to becoming extremely fascinated. I then participated for many years in an Indian based spiritual organisation. An organisation that promotes self-development and spiritual consciousness. At the same time I  regularly attending Iyengar Yoga classes… which involved some serious cycling everyday  after work, which I did not mind, as  I felt so empowered by the end of each class.

The years I spent  going to the Maide Vale Iyengar center in London helped me understand the fundamentals of proper body alignment and establishing a rigorous practice. Nonetheless, my voracious curious nature led me to branch out and explore other styles of yoga (Sivananda, Asthanga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Accro Yoga, Yoga for Children). No doubt these different styles introduced me to the concept of creativity in my own yoga teaching.

I am extremely  grateful to all the wonderful and inspiring persons and teachers I had the  pleasure to meet during my many travels, workshops, and training on all the subjects I am interested in (e.g Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra, Méditation, Pleine Conscience, Naturopathie, Chakras,  Therapeutic Yoga, Gemstones Indian Head Massage). Those encounters helped me deepen my knowledge and fill my « Yoga tool box » which I refer to with respect when sharing my experiences.

I strongly believe in freedom of expression, so much so that I thus opted for a traditional Hatha Yoga certification. Hatha Yoga is recognised as being the mother of all yoga respecting the holistic tradition of Yoga.

Whilst teaching I appreciate that we are all unique and being so it is for me to help the student express his/her own physical and inner potential.

A typical class will include time for breathing (pranayama), practical posture (asana) and a final relaxation/meditation. Various techniques exist to support one’s overall well-being. Techniques which for most are easily adaptable to our lifestyle. As one of my Swami meditation teacher once told me « to experience meditation one needs to continue living normally, using meditation to face life’s challenges. »

Why Yoga Kids?  I have always admired how kids manage to express themselves so naturally. I find it so refreshing; a lovely source of creativity alongside inspiring joy that adults ought to encourage.

When it comes to meditation, it is I feel too presumptuous to pretend to teach someone how to meditate. It is such a personal experience. Who am I to really know what is happening in someone’s mind.

That being said, my certification and personal experiences offer me various approaches to help calm and focus the mind (this “Monkey mind » as we like to call it in Yoga) a first step towards a meditative state. The learning process in itself is usually a source of profound and satisfying change.

Learning to breathe better is one step towards focusing the mind and eventually leads towards meditation. It also contributes to invaluable mental and physical benefits.

Having the privilege to teach Yoga allows me to share my many experiences and passion to of this discipline with the aim of making it accessible to everyone.

Yoga is the expression of the self in its global form; a means to respect oneself and others.  Yoga provides different techniques and tools to allow you to reveal and express yourself to the best of your ability.