Downward Facing Blog

Perfectionism is a mask of shame

Mindfulness | Thursday 7th September 2023

Today's a fire day and I'm teaching a yin class tonight. As always, I try to reflect and think about which message I want to convey during my class. I use the discipline of my students - showing up on the mat - to help them practice intentional self-reflection. Fire is associated to the 3rd chakra - Manipura chakra. This is the seat of the ego and it invites us to reflect on our sense of power and self-worth. Our capacity to overcome obstacles and our sense of purpose. A lot of emotions can get in the way of feeling empowered and driven. Shame is without a doubt the most damaging of all. In my 20's, I used to feel like I had to be and beh...

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Mindfulness | Tuesday 21st March 2023

How to Find Balance

For several years now, every time I set an intention for my practice, I set the intention of finding balance. Because I’ve learned that this is the only sustainable state that allows me to be at peace, enjoy life and properly take care of myself and my community. That may sound selfish and self-centered, but if experience taught me one thing, it’s that you can’t pour from an empty cup. I have way more positive impact around me when I am, myself, in a good place. P...

Mindfulness | Wednesday 24th March 2021

Adapting is our nature

If yoga taught me anything it's that balance is key. If you take your body for instance: it always adapts to get back to a balance state. It adapts its temperature when climate changes, it adapt its vision when the light varies, it adapts its muscles when it's put through an effort... Adapting is surviving. Some of these changes take place without us consciously making it happen. Some others require focus and first and foremost accepting the idea of change. Adaptation isn't only happenin...

Mindfulness | Monday 1st June 2020

Quarantine reads

Personally, I love to read. There are few things I enjoy more than some quality time alone with a good book. It’s a great way to expose yourself to new ideas, learn about something that interests you, or just get lost in a compelling story. And, given that most of us are self-isolating at the moment and might have more free time than usual, now is a great time to get stuck into some new titles. In the words of Frederick Douglas, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” So, wit...

Mindfulness | Friday 1st May 2020

Home practice: create your yoga space in 5 steps

Since I became a yoga teacher, I started practicing at home way more than I used to. I guess this happened for a couple of reasons: I’ve learned how to make my own sequences - which means that I won’t be randomly throwing postures without warming ...

Mindfulness | Saturday 11th April 2020

Looking after your mental wellbeing on lockdown

With everything that’s going on at the moment, I’m finding myself with a lot more free time. Many of the things I used to do to distract myself are no longer options, and I’m spending a lot more time with my own thoughts. This can be really diffic...