Slow & Deep Yoga. A reflection on pace, presence, and practice

A moment from my own slow and deliberate yoga practice.

As I was planning content for the next few weeks and scrolling through my phone, I came across a text I had written almost two years ago. I can still remember exactly where I was when I wrote it.

I was on a family holiday in Mallorca, and after a run along the beautiful coastline, I sat down on a low stone wall facing the sea. I remember staying there for a while, because during that run I had a moment of real clarity that felt almost like a revelation.

I’ve said this many times before, and it still holds true: my best ideas come during my runs.

Running under the warm spring sun, with the sea glimmering next to me, my thoughts drifted to yoga. More specifically, to what I’m really about as a yoga teacher, and what I want my students to experience and receive in my classes. That’s when the text I’m about to share with you was born. It came through clearly and loudly.

This is the place where I sat down to write down all the thoughts that came up to me during my run in Mallorca.

Over the past few years, I’ve been quietly reinventing myself — both as a yoga teacher and as a student. I’ve felt lost many times, but through those harder moments and countless hours of reflection and self-study, my thoughts and ideas have slowly settled and become clearer.

I almost feel like I’ve been reborn — or at least like I’ve stepped out of a cave and into the daylight — as a teacher, a student, and a human being.

I now know what yoga is for me. Not what I thought it should be, or what others told me it should be, but what it truly feels like.
Or maybe I already knew.

Because when I look at the text I wrote on April 1st, 2024, it’s clear that this understanding was already there. I just wasn’t confident enough to fully trust it. The text stayed tucked away as a draft in my phone’s notes — until today.

Finding it again, I realized that it doesn’t just still resonate with me. It captures exactly what I’ve known all along, but didn’t yet have the strength or clarity to believe in myself.

So, without further ado, here is the text that captures the essence of what I teach — and what I live by — as a yogi.

Slow & Deep Yoga
Written on April 1st, 2024

My yoga classes invite you to slow down, offering a sanctuary from the fast pace of your daily life. Here, you’re encouraged to mindfully challenge yourself — not only physically, by slowing down and delving deeper, but also by being still enough to watch how you respond to difficulty and challenge both on and off the mat.

A practice that emphasizes presence, breath, and unhurried movement.

As we move, we synchronize the poses and transitions with our breath, creating a harmonious connection between body and mind. These classes may not be for everyone, yet I firmly believe they hold immense value, particularly for those ensnared in the hustle and bustle of an active, full life.

The slow and mindful approach we adopt allows you to tune into your body's sensations, the myriad of thoughts swirling in your mind, and the subtle shifts in your breathing. At first, this heightened awareness might seem daunting, but I urge you to view any discomfort as a window into aspects of yourself that might be influencing other areas of your life. Embrace this revelation with gratitude, not criticism.

On the mat, I allow time to slow down — not to do less, but to feel more.

For me, yoga is a counterbalance to the dynamism and excitement of running, and to the lively pace of family life. When I step onto my mat, I seek a practice where I can truly connect with myself — moving, breathing, and contemplating at a deliberately slow pace. It’s not about rushing through poses; it’s about experiencing them, navigating challenges and occasional discomfort, and learning to release and let go.

On my mat, time stands still. It’s a space where I anchor myself in the present, undistracted by past worries or future uncertainties. Join me on this journey to discover the power of moving slowly and mindfully, where every posture, every breath, and every moment is an invitation to be fully engaged and present, helping you to feel more at home in your body.

I wrote the words above almost two years ago. Since then, they’ve slowly shaped the way I practice, teach, and understand yoga today. And also the way I integrate yoga into my own life.

I teach yoga for people who want to stay active and strong, and who are looking for a more sustainable way to move and a better way to recover. My classes emphasize balance, awareness, and practices that support a calmer nervous system so that movement feels supportive rather than draining.

Strong bodies need calm nervous systems.