How did you discover Yoga?
I started to take yoga classes back in 2006, because I had
severe lower back pain and stiffness in the neck, and overall stress. I had
done sports before (basketball, training at the gym ...). After like a month or
so, I knew that yoga was really working. I felt better about myself and felt my
blood circulation improved, stiffness was gone and back and neck pain slowly
disappeared. With the practice (which started as once per week but evolved to 3
times per week in one year), the positive change which I was experiencing on
the physical level spread to all aspects of my life: mentally, psychologically
and spiritually. My first years of practice were in Beirut, in centers like
Houna, SoulSpa and Yoga House.
What made you decide to teach it? Where did you do your
training?
When I saw and experienced all the positive changes that
happened with me and how my quality of life was improving, which was mostly
attributed to my persevere yoga practice, I decided to take it to the next
level. I went to India in October 2010 to learn more about the yoga philosophy
and to deepen my practice. I did my 300 hr yoga teacher training at a nice
ashram in South India, where we stayed for almost a month, studying yoga
theory, discovering how each breath works and each muscle stretches. For me, it
was a personal endeavor, which resulted in a calmer mind, an open heart and a
stronger will to live. Of course, I returned to Lebanon with my certificate to
teach yoga. I feel I have a mission to spread the essence of yoga, and help
people enjoy its benefits, which I had personally experienced, at least.
Do you talk about the spiritual aspect of Yoga in your
classes or do you only teach asanas?
Oftentimes, I talk about the spiritual aspects of yoga
during my classes. Referring the asanas to the energy centers in the body,
explaining Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga, description of Raja yoga and other
types, emphasis on Prana and why we do Pranayama, the meaning of AUM and other
chants, how the mind works and what is meditation,.. these are few examples.
Some people, especially those who have been practicing for a while, ask
questions regarding this stuff; beginners don’t really get interested.
Can a yoga teacher live out of his work in Lebanon?
Yes and No. It’s a pretty much trend now; yoga is spreading.
So, yes there are many work opportunities for a yoga instructor; however, the
holistic field, in Lebanon, is not yet mature, and legally-speaking not very
clear on some issues. There are few full-time yoga instructors in Lebanon, who
seem to be managing J, maybe you should ask them. I work in the marketing business;
I’m also a health coach and have 4-5 yoga classes per week plus few more
private sessions. For me, as long as it is not the main source of income, yoga
is a passion and kind of a mission that gives me satisfaction.
Who are your students (age average, having lived abroad?)?
Those who come to yoga are mostly females, though there is
an increasing number of men showing up, aged anywhere between 16 and 55. Young
women (20’s-30’s) are the dominant group, followed by older ladies and men. I
don’t see the connection between yoga and having lived abroad; yoga is in the
mainstream now, on TV, radio, magazines, everywhere,.. and a large portion of
people are trying out yoga, at least once, for stress reduction, better sleep,
relaxation, flexibility or as a gentle fix for their back pain. I have had some
people who went on talking about how yoga is in Europe or the United States,
how different it is, the types and the instructors.
How do you perceive the expansion of Yoga in Lebanon over
the last few years?
It is a very positive expansion. The media is playing the
main role of bringing yoga to the front and getting people to know what yoga
is. Although, I have to admit, that there are some misconceptions still about
yoga. I think with time, people will have a better understanding. When someone
asks me what is yoga, I always say “the right answer lies in the experience,
come and try it for yourself, and observe what you get out of it”.
Contact:
Mona Nasreddeen
Certified Yoga Instructor
Holistic Health Coach
00961 3 594589
