"Yoga is the best teacher for me"
Feb 03, 2021
With yoga, Ruta battled her anxiety disorders, multiple panic attacks and brain fog. Read now in the following interview how she could overcome herself for yoga and why the yoga practice is her best teacher .
How long have you been doing yoga and how did you get into it?
I've been doing yoga for about 5 years now. It first appeared in my life when I went to Scotland to study. After some time I found out that my university offered free yoga classes for students twice a week. After some time I was able to motivate myself to try yoga and see what exactly yoga was, as I had never done it before. At the time, I was struggling a lot with an anxiety disorder and multiple panic attacks & brain fog that committed shortly after my 18th birthday. I sought therapy and tried many different "self-help" and "self-care" tools such as meditation, breathing techniques and so on. After finally taking the plunge to try yoga, I remember the immediate relief I felt after my first few classes. I was never an "athletic" kid, but I enjoyed going for a run or doing some exercises in between. I knew how important physical exercise could be for the mind as well. I attended the free university classes whenever I could and later decided to give "hot" yoga a try, which I had heard many positive experiences about. I signed up at a nearby yoga studio for 30 days and got hooked! I slept better, felt better and even noticed some initial physical progress. Afterwards, I decided to volunteer at the yoga studio (to clean the mats and floors) so I could get free yoga classes at the studio - this allowed me to continue my yoga journey as this was quite difficult financially as a student. I became addicted to yoga and gradually started incorporating it into my daily life. My anxiety and panic attacks didn't disappear overnight, I continued to struggle with them for about three more years. The combination of yoga, meditation, self-help / self-love books and podcasts help me build confidence and love for myself and my body and learn to manage my anxiety on a daily basis. In the meantime, when I notice I'm getting anxious, I have all the tools to stop it in its early stages without it overwhelming me. It feels great to finally be able to control it! I will forever be grateful to the yoga practice for teaching me the tools to connect my body, mind and breathing.
What forms of yoga have you already tried?
I have tried many different types of yoga: Bikram, Aerial, Power, Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and many more! There are so many great ways to practice yoga and I think it's important to try different styles to find out which one you like best - I especially recommend this for beginners.
My favorite style is vinyasa flows because I like the creative side of it and that each flow is different. I love to let my body decide what it needs in the present moment and let it "flow out". In the summer months, I sometimes like to practice Ashtanga (I did my yoga teacher training at a Vinyasa/ Ashtanga focused school).
Lately, though, especially in the winter months, I've fallen in love with slow yoga practice, which does wonders for increasing flexibility and also relaxation.
How often do you practice yoga?
I practice yoga every day, except when I can't because I'm travelling etc.. My favorite practice is in the morning to set me up for the day.
What fascinates you about yoga?
The connection of mind, body and breath. For me, it is the time when I am most connected to my body and mind. Yoga is the best teacher for me and I am more mindful of how my body, mind or breathing is throughout the day. It helps me be more present, grateful and content. Aside from that, my body always feels so great after practice! I think the combination of all these points keep me coming back to yoga - on the good days as well as the bad.
Has yoga changed your outlook on life?
Absolutely. Yoga teaches me something new every day. First, yoga helped me build more confidence and love for myself. It taught me that "I am ENOUGH", which was one of my biggest doubts for many years. Second, it taught me to be more connected to my body and my mind. Because I used to struggle so much with anxiety, connecting mind and body was very difficult for me and it felt like the two were living separate lives that I couldn't control. Yoga was one of the greatest teachers for me, which helped me feel that connection and take control. Eventually yoga taught me to become more gentle, empathetic and overall a better and happier person. Since yoga helped me with my own journey, I now want to educate the world about the many benefits of yoga and also help others change their lives with yoga.
When did you do your yoga teacher training?
I did my yoga teacher training in India / Rishikesh in October 2019. After graduating from Scotland and moving to Malta, I started my first full time job in finance. However, this was a real cramp for me as I didn't enjoy my job and felt I couldn't develop myself there. After three months I quit again and decided to book the yoga school. I was so happy and proud of myself that I trusted in myself and followed my dream! It was one of the best decisions I have made so far, because the whole experience was incredible!
Do you work as a yoga teacher or do you have another profession?
I currently have a full time job in marketing / events and teach yoga classes 3-4 times a week. However, I hope to teach more one day.
How did you come to use Instagram more actively for your yoga practice?
When I started practicing yoga more regularly, I took photos of my progress. After some time, I started sharing them on Instagram as well. Many of my friends were interested in my yoga journey and started asking me for yoga tips. This is how my account slowly started to grow.
Is there a life motto that accompanies you and you would like to tell us?
"Be the change you want to see in the world." This quote by Mahatma Ghandi, has been with me since I first heard it about 10 years ago. The powerful quote is an important reminder to me that change begins within yourself, while the world is the reflection of that change.
My tip for beginners and those who are interested: That's why I recommend you to start with yoga...
Just start doing it! Go to class, watch YouTube videos and see how it will benefit your body and mind. I'm sure once you try it - you'll know yourself! ;) If you need any tips or recommendations, feel free to reach out!