The Yoga Formula

14/02/2024

We all, to some extent, live in an illusory world…

In childhood, our psyche simply cannot cope with certain situations, so it has no choice but to come up with a defence mechanism. Unfortunately, as we adulting, these mechanisms start working against us.

But facing reality is painful, and a person can live in illusion for a very long time…If the illusion wasn’t too profound, coming back would probably feel like realising Santa Claus doesn’t exist. But if the illusion was complex and deep, then breaking free from it would feel more like being pushed off a cliff….

The soul came to experience reality, and avoiding it is cheating, so life will hint and push you towards reality in various ways 👁️

It’s good if you can hear the nudge while it’s gentle, because if not, life will still push you, only each time the push will be harder.

How many stories have you heard of people changing their lives only when they hit rock bottom, got sick or lost something or someone dear?

There’s no point in waiting; go where the fear is, because beyond fear lies freedom.

Freedom from illusion.

And the greatest illusion of all is that illusion is better than reality.

19/01/2024

So, I ran a marathon... how was it? Well, bet you expected a story about how I overcame the biggest challenge in my life, conquered my fears, and returned a new human being. Well, not to upset you, but that’s not my story. I had to think a lot about why it wasn’t hard and why it felt… normal? And we’re gonna skip the topic of self-underappreciation here and move straight to how the mind works.

I didn’t know how it feels to run 42km; I didn’t train a lot and didn’t read a lot. Thus, I had no expectations, no deep contemplation about its meaning – my mind was just not wired for such things. I tried to follow my friend’s advice to ponder why I am doing it and hit a dead end; there was no profound reason. I simply wanted to run, and I wanted it to be easy because, let’s be honest, I don’t like hard things. No, I don’t believe in hard things.

So, at 5:45 am, I woke up, got ready, and just went…
(Swipe left ⬆️)

21/12/2023

Dad 🤍

05/12/2023

Inversions are tricky! Not only do they require a significant amount of balance and strength, but they are also simply scary! I mean, how natural is it for us to be upside down? I get it! And on top of that, you need to breathe and get the alignment right! But one thing I love about yoga is that you can start small, and then you won't even notice how fast your body adapts to doing things that seemed so scary just a moment ago. Here are the tips on how to overcome the fear of inversions:

1. Strengthen core, shoulders, arms, and back first
2. Practice balancing poses
3. Use props and wall support
4. Listen to your body
5. Practice regularly

22/11/2023

I've always believed that in a world with so many options, you need to return to the basics, to the origins. That's why yoga, that’s why raw diet.

Yoga, originating in ancient India over 5,000 years ago, represents for me the essence of spiritual and ascetic practices. The same principle applies to food: what did we eat when there was nothing else? What is the most natural diet for us? Fruits, leaves, roots, nuts - these are the basics I focus on.

14/11/2023

So, let me introduce myself...
I'm Kristina, and for as long as I can remember, I've been into eating healthier, boosting my brain's performance, and staying fit. Believe me, I've tried nearly everything out there. Not all of it was healthy, though... but that's a story for another post…

Soooo... who am I? I'm a holistic wellness instructor who firmly believes that being healthy is both easy and fun and I am here to show you how. It's not just a passing trend; it's a way to respect yourself, look awesome, and stay sane in this insane world. So, here I am, finally deciding to share all the knowledge I've gathered through more than 15 years of self-trials.

01/11/2023

With my regulars, I often teach meditations/mindfulness sessions in a state of flow, so the direction can be unpredictable.

At times, it's sparked by the client's words, sometimes by events in my life. Yet, there are instances when the subject emerges so spontaneously that even I have to ask myself how did we get there…Funny enough, the client often has the answer.

You see, meditation is your way to get the answers, and the instructor is merely a conduit. So even if I might not understand why a particular piece of information arises, it's usually clear to the client.

20/09/2023

20/09/2023

20/09/2023

15/09/2023

One of my clients raised an interesting concern today regarding the apprehension of sharing personal experiences and being vulnerable during yoga or meditation classes, especially when the teacher also instructs individuals from the same workplace.

That made me think and kind of sad as this concern likely stems from past experiences where trust may have been broken. 💔

So, let's get one thing crystal clear: Privacy and intimacy in 1-1 yoga or meditation sessions are ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL! Your journey of self-discovery deserves a space where you can be completely free, without the shadow of apprehension. Your journey of self-discovery deserves a space where you can be completely free, without the shadow of apprehension. The sessions are a sanctuary for personal growth and healing. It's the job of a teacher to create an environment that nurtures your personal journey. And it’s your right to expect confidentiality.

Sometimes, as teachers, it becomes necessary to reiterate certain fundamental rights to our clients, particularly beginners. This not only ensures they receive the treatment they deserve in our sessions but also empowers them to know what to expect should they choose to attend other sessions elsewhere.

….

23/07/2023

I like how Kabbalah explains the ego as a constant battle between our higher spiritual aspirations and the ego's negative inclinations.

It's a profound reminder of the inner journey towards self-awareness and spiritual growth.

Embracing the Divine Image within us allows us to transcend the ego's limitations, opening doors to a deeper connection with the divine and a greater sense of unity with the world around us.

22/06/2023

I ASSUME TOO MUCH 🤯

This is my new mantra.

🤷🏼‍♀️ You see, our mind needs it! It seeks closure and coherence in the face of uncertainty. Assumptions provide a quick way to fill in gaps and make sense of incomplete information. It's our brain's way of creating a cohesive narrative.

▫️Our brains are wired to take mental shortcuts, leading to cognitive biases. These biases can influence our perceptions and interpretations, causing us to jump to conclusions based on preconceived notions or stereotypes.

Control your mind, control your limitations-> 🧘🏼‍♀️

17/06/2023

I stopped eating red meat when I was 14 y.o.

I remember that day clearly: I was at my friend’s and we came across a video of animals being slaughtered at meat processing plants. It was before YouTube time, so watching videos online was somewhat special and they made a completely different impression.

I loved animals and just couldn’t believe that somewhere out there people treat them that way. Nothing of what I saw felt right…it made me angry, I guess.

So we decided that we would no longer eat red meat. Yeah, just like that 🤷🏼‍♀️

I remember coming to school the next day and one of my friends saying we wouldn't last a month....Well...if before this commment my will was based solely on compassion for animals, then after my decision was fully reinforced by youthful maximalism 💪🏼 Never underestimate a teenager's willingness to prove something…

So that was it - the end of my meat consumption history and the beginning of years of research into human nutrition, social stigma, and the active interest in human health 🌱