I have dedicated my life to discovering new ways of connecting to Spirit. Before trying out Yoga I used to do martial arts and then dance. And both art forms helped me establish a better link with myself. But when I discovered yoga, I accessed my true nature viscerally, mentally and emotionally. Every time I brought my awareness to the breath my whole body attuned to a frequency that vibrated with the whole Universe.

As I immersed into the practical and theoretical knowledge of the ancient practice, I found myriads of ways to tune to this higher octave. Whether I did asana, chanted, gazed at yantras, performed rituals or simply meditated I felt in resonance with nature and all living beings. At first I was very attached to my daily mat practice. I would wake up at 4:30 a.m. to greet the dawn and would crush by 10 pm. I did not miss a single day of practice, and if in the morning I would oversleep, I would make up for it in the afternoon. I simply cancelled everything just to keep up with the strict routine.

With time I realized that such a military regime was unnecessary and that instead of connecting me to a place of higher wisdom, it robbed me of the opportunity to live life, to meet with friends, to enjoy a walk in the park. I had no time for anything but the three-hour daily practice and then work. It turned into a self-created dungeon that disconnected me from everyone and everything. But I went on with this craze for a good twelve years. Every time a friend would invite me out for dinner, I had to make up stories why I couldn’t go. And that made me lie and be untrue to myself. Because I had turned yoga into an obsession it had gotten counterproductive and instead of growing spiritually I regressed humanely. I had turned into a fanatic who was doing yoga and reading the scriptures all the time. But was I actually living Yoga?

It took an awful injury and total sleep deprivation for me to figure out that something was off. With a severe lower back and knee injury I was forced to cut down on the asana, and to focus more on the internal aspects of the practice. I started to meditate longer and began to research into other yogic ways of tapping the Source.

I stumbled on Sufi practices. I explored a bunch of of holistic techniques. I took creative writing and calligraphy. I even tried voice lessons. And miraculously discovered that all these creative outlets led me closer to my essence. Once I opened to the world, the world let in. I was no longer guilty to spend time with friends, to stroll through the park and thank the trees, to dedicate time to others and even sacrifice my yoga practice. My dance and theatre training became my kinetic meditation. Even a mindful ride on the bus while radiating love towards everyone served like the best Bhakti Yoga practice.

I did “sevas” or community service much more and experienced what real karma yogis feel. Sometimes cooking for my loved ones and bringing them joy made me appreciate the secrets of culinary yoga and conscious eating. I could taste the whole diversity and instead of fixating my mind on just one approach, I embraced all. This helped me transform every ordinary moment into an extraordinary experience. I was no longer patterned and hooked to a single way of connecting to source, but experienced the unity in plurality that was inherent in all of life’s creation. I had become a liberated yogini, not a blinded disciple.

And my life opened in so many new ways. I was no longer grasping for things. Things just came to me, because I had matured enough to attract them, unattached. I felt connected to the Universe, myself, others and integral part of society. Every new encounter, experience or revelation opened new dimensions in my mind, new channels through my body.

Today I still do my yoga practice every day, but it varies. It is the not the same routine, the meditations differ by the day and I let myself be guided as what’s appropriate every moment. This attitude of openness has helped me be an open and caring teacher, always nurturing my students to connect to their ultimate self. I find that a lot of yoga teachers and holistic healers are trying to control people’s life and to navigate their choices.

I truly believe that as a spiritual teacher you should provide people with the right tools for their growth, but not necessarily give them concrete tips how to run their life. It is up to them how they utilize the broad reservoir of knowledge and techniques, and it depends on the level of their frequency when they would feel ready to embrace them. So I have found teaching, and not preaching to be the best portal to opening people’s hearts and to helping them connect to their innermost self. And it can be through music, a hike up the mountain, a delectable dinner or quality time with friends. Everything works when it comes from the heart.

As someone who does “Yoga of Heart” I practice non-attachment and gratitude every day and am always curious to tap the source in the most unimaginable way. Because, all ways lead to the “hive”.

Yogea Meditation and Mudra Practice: Tap The Source

This Yogea breathing and mudra practice helps students connect to their divine account. It blends hand gestures from the ancient Egyptian alchemical manual “Hebet en Ba” (The Mystery of Rites) with movements from sacred dance and Dervish whirling. The special fanning of the hands and contracting of the lower abdomen opens up the heart and navel centers. The spiraling movements awaken the code latent in our DNA and help us live up to our highest potential. As we open the third eye, we unlock the faculty of “clear sight” and we pierce through the veil of illusion to encounter our truth. The mudras curve to initiate us into the hermetic principle “as above, so below” and to show that all ways lead to the source. An inspiring meditation allows us to tap the source and receive the illumination of immediate insight and open heart.