Hilla
My journey with yoga began when I was 16 years old, at an introduction workshop taught by a friend’s mother. I immediately fell in love with it—without really knowing what that magic was. Over the years, I practiced more or less regularly, exploring different kinds of yoga.
About 13 years ago, I joined an Iyengar yoga studio in my neighborhood that a friend had recommended. There, many aspects of yoga practice started to come together for me, especially the connection between body and mind. At that time, I was working in a hi-tech company and would go straight from the office to class. After each session, I felt blissful and calm—walking out in a completely different state of mind.
Through Iyengar yoga, I began to truly understand the postures and their effects. I learned how stretching the hamstrings can ease lower back pain after long hours of sitting, and how strengthening the upper back can open the chest and relieve tension in the upper back and neck. In Iyengar yoga, we focus on alignment, balance between the sides, strengthening what is weak, and lengthening what is tight or rigid. This resonated deeply with my Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine practice.
With asana practice, we move from the outer, physical layer gradually into the inner core of ourselves. This work is endless—through asanas, pranayama, and also through our relationships with our children, partner, friends, and family. It is a life-guiding path toward health and balance, kindness, and love—for ourselves and for others.