Yoga teacher: SARAH FLORANCE
Yoga style: Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Strala
Teacher training: Vinyasa Flow, Strala, Ashtanga
Yoga guru(s): I have many teachers who have inspired me along my yoga path. These include Sri Pattabhi Jois and his son Manju Jois, Twee Merrigan, Simon Park, Dharma Mittra, Tara Stiles, Andrei Ram, Ligeya Garza, Eva Oller and the list could go on and on.
Where do you teach: IYogaone, Barcelona
Future retreats: 21-23 April 2017 en Vilada, Berga
Web page: I know it may sound ridiculous but I don’t have a web page YET!
– COFFEE OR TEA?
Come on, I am a Brit. Tea, of course…I absolutely love Yogi Teas, all of them. I love the little message you get with each one – something to reflect upon every day. The other day I tried their Choco tea and it was lovely! Otherwise I am a Chai girl.
– WHICH ASANA DO YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US TODAY AND WHY
Hanumanasana. This is one of my favourite postures and the story behind it is amazing. Hanuman, king of the monkeys (said to be son of the wind). He represents the qualities of physical strength, bravery and spiritual devotion. He was known for his great leaps, jumping from India to Sri Lanka to comfort SITA who ahd been taken captive. Hanumanasana represents a jump of faith and when I started practicing Yoga I thought it would be impossible for me to get there. It takes practice to find comfort and ease here. But as soon as you find it, you can fully surrender to the pose and meditate there. It’s a long way but enjoy the ride!
– WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT TEACHING (BESIDES WHATCHING US SUFFER)?
People suffering? No way… My practice is all about finding your natural movement. Yoga for me means connection, both to ourselves and to others to our surroundings and all beings. Through my teaching I am able to connect to my students and help them connect to themselves – I invite them to observe themselves and identify the times when they are pushing too hard or forcing themselves and I help them to relax and connect to their natural movement. I like to create a trusting space where we all share our energy and feel safe and protected. It is through this trust and safeness that my students can advance.
– WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am inspired by people who follow their dreams and are true to themselves. I am surrounded by many people who are living the dream! I myself am so fortunate to be able to do what I love and love what I do. It is so hard to get out of the rat race and really follow your hearts desire.
– A MOVIE/BOOK THAT MOVED YOU
A Monster Calls (movie). Uff, I cried so much during that one. I am sooooo sensitive and cry really easily. I used to cry at Lassie when I was little because I felt for that poor dog. Now I am a mum, I really connect to any movie related to losing parents or children with problems and it gets me every time. I was actually on the train when I watched this one and had earphones in but was crying my eyes out and making comments like “Oh no”. “This is terrible”.
– WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR MOST SPECIAL TRIP AND WHY?
Last year we travelled to Costa Rica and I immediately felt a connection to the country! Nature at its best. I really would go around hugging trees (I know it sounds crazy). The beaches that we stumbled upon were totally deserted and it felt like paradise. the wildlife is spectacular and I really felt that I just wanted to stay there and not come home. This happens to me quite a lot though. I am quite the travelling bean. So many places to visit and hopefully we will get to them all.
– ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN? AND IF YOU ARE, DO YOU MISS BACON?
I eat fish but not very often. I always prefer the veggie option! I can’t imagine myself eating a steak now…
– WHICH IS THE MEAL YOU ARE ALWAYS IN THE MOOD FOR?
Pasta or a huge salad with all of the trimmings. I eat salad by the truckload and I always have. I try to eat as healthy as possible although I must say that I like to break the rules at times, specially when we go out to a restaurant and I order things that I don’t usually eat at home. That said, I prefer home cooking.
– IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHICH WOULD YOU BE?
Some kind of cat.. A tiger, puma, or a loving domesticated cat. Cats are elegant creatures. I love to curl up on the sofa and have my hair stroked! I probably was a cat at some point because that is probably where I feel safest.
– IF YOU WERE A TREE, WHICH WOULD YOU BE?
Bamboo without a doubt.. they bend and bend and never break. A true example of strength and flexibility. Exactly what we are looking for with our yoga practice, to find a balance. Strong but supple, that’s me.
– WHAT DRIVES YOU CRAZY OR MAKES YOU GO INSANE?
People who are disrepectful drive me crazy as I believe there is absolutely no need to be unkind to others. One of the Yamas (social conduct) in yoga is AHIMSA – Non violence and I think that it is something that is lacking in our society today. People are harsh with their words, with their thoughts and their actions. We can all learn something.
– SHARE A QUOTE WITH US
“Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend” Bruce Lee
– WHAT OR WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD?
James Corden makes me laugh out load every time. I first watched him singing along with Adele in his car and I thought he was amazing. He connects straighaway with the celebrities on a one to one level. The “diva” disappears and we see them having fun. He has great fun! I think one of the first ones he did was with George Michael and I saw that on the day he died. Down to earth George. I like to see the real person, not the showman.
– A MAGICAL PLACE TO PRACTICE YOGA WOULD BE…
Always with the sound of the waves and in Costa Rica, of course!
– TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CURRENT PROJECTS OR DREAMS
Dreams. I am constantly dreaming about what I could do. I have high aspirations but it takes me a while to get kick started. There is something in the pipeline but I prefer to tell you about that some other time! Keep you guessing…
– WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Happy and free.
– IF YOU COULD START AGAIN, WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING?
Australia has always been on my travel list. I wish I had gone when I was younger. There are times when you think, If i had done this and that but in general everything is as it should be.
– LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHICH TIP CAN YOU SHARE WITH US, THE LEARNING YOGIS
Don’t ever push yourself! Accept things as they are and little by little the fruits will flourish. Enjoy the ride!
NAMASTÉ SARAH!