1. As a woman, a mother and a yoga practitioner, tell me what do you find the most important teaching you’ve discovered from this practice and what would you share to those who are on this path?
Practice teaches me truth. Teaches me to listen and to trust. To go deeper and overcome my fears. Practice teaches me about the truth within myself. Reflects back to me how I am at the moment, how I live my life. You can’t hide, you can’t pretend. You show up and you create space to listen to your body. It has taught me to trust myself. It has taught me to be discipline and grateful.
2. What is Feminism to you? How do you feel women can support each other?
Being able to listen and trust your instincts truthfully. Being able to open and be vulnerable among women. Support each other and promote a space where there is no judgment, just listening.
3. In ashtanga practice, how do you feel we can keep the community strong and supportive for one another?
Honoring the lineage and taking the practice off the mat. Let it fuse and permeate into our lives. 24 hours’ practice. Set our intentions to be and compassionate.
4. With this practice we are constantly challenging ourselves both mind and body. This requires a lot of self discipline, focus and consistency in our daily routine. In this moments we are opening ourselves up, we are vulnerable and processing whatever emotions that rises. What would be your advise in these situations? What did you find helpful to you?
Being kind with ourselves. Showing up and going back to breath. Keeping ourselves present and focused on our breathing will help dissolve any other challenges. Stay focus on breath and explore deeper within it. We might be able to realize better where we are at the moment.
5. In this modern world we are surrounded by distractions, whether it’s the constant stream of negative news, social media and the perfectly manufactured image of how to liveness life, our appearance and body shaming. It has the power to knock us off balance. How do we nourish ourselves? How do we find acceptance?
It is a real challenge for me to find a healthy balance within this main stream society. Being able to navigate within it without compromising my own values. Practice has given me more clarity of what I need. Having a likeminded community has helped me to trust myself. Having a quiet time to set my intentions for the day during my morning practice helps me stay focused and allows me to soften and adjust to the requirements of the ongoing world without losing myself.
Fostering community is so important. That is something I always look for or work towards. Having likeminded, kind souls surrounding you, will always keep you nourished and support your more natural, non-judgmental lifestyle. They will allow you to be yourself.
6. Who are the women that inspire you, who are the women that you admire?
I admire all moms and all free wild women out there who trust and follow their instincts. I am inspired by how Fiona Stang and Sharmila Desai are truth to their believes on and off the mat.
7. What are some of your daily/monthly/annual rituals and routines that you feel ground you?
At the moment, cuddling in bed with Satya Luna, my 10 months old daughter. My morning yoga practice. Walking in the forests of Squamish. Skinny dipping in the cold lakes with Satya.
8. What makes you feel safe and secure?
Being close to nature. Being close to my loving partner & my little one.
9. Which element of nature do you feel most connected to?
Cold water (lakes or ocean) and earth.
10. Our energy is always shifting in our monthly practice, as female practitioners when we receive our ladies holiday, whether its a seasonal change or when we travel to different climates. How can we find a balance and a grounding when we feel these changes happen?
Sit before practicing or starting your day to create space to listen. Trust and do as you know will be best for you at that moment. Give yourself time to rest. Aim for a good restful night and if this doesn’t happen let yourself have a 5 min or 2 hours’ nap, or just lay down and close your eyes for a few minutes along your day. Anything that will resource and recharge you. I find it so resourceful to find time for quality time sleeping.
Natalia’s yoga journey video
Satya Luna & Natalia
All rights (c) Natalia Correa & Justyna Jaworska
Please don’t use pictures without permission.