Yoga Instructor Tatiana Podolskaya: The Transformative Power of Yoga in Every Moment

The history of yoga is as ancient as the history of human civilization itself. Originating from the East, yoga has been a beacon of wisdom, emphasizing the harmony between mind and body long before the advent of written language. Tatiana Podolskaya, a dedicated yoga instructor, has been deeply immersed in this practice and shares her insights on why yoga is an excellent alternative to fitness and the key philosophical pillars to enhance your practice.

The Journey from Student to Teacher

Tatiana Podolskaya has been teaching yoga to adults, children, pregnant women, and professional athletes for over six years. She organizes yoga events, master classes on healthy eating, and meditative painting sessions focused on yoga philosophy.

The Boundary Between Student and Teacher

The journey into yoga begins with an impulse and a desire to practice. The reasons can vary widely:

Health improvement
Increased endurance and flexibility
Body detoxification
Physical fitness

These initial intentions shape the actions that eventually lead the practitioner (sadhaka or yogi) to their desired results.

Stages of Yoga Practice

The process of yoga practice is unique for each individual. Some may aim to achieve specific poses like the Hanumanasana (splits), while others focus on enhancing their meditation practice to strengthen their body and maintain a straight spine in the lotus position.

Personal Experiences in Yoga

Tatiana shares her incredible and pleasant transformations in both body and mind through yoga. Her journey led her to teaching, driven by a love for people and a desire to help them. Understanding anatomy, proper alignment of asanas, and the psychological and physical impacts of yoga on individuals is crucial for any yoga instructor.

Yoga vs. Fitness and Amateur Sports

Yoga is an ancient philosophical system that includes bodywork and breathing exercises. Hatha yoga, a branch focused on body purification and asanas, involves static poses that lead to isometric muscle contractions. This practice regulates body tone, internal organ function, and restores harmony within the body’s systems.

Key Differences from Sports

Unlike dynamic sports that increase muscle fiber thickness, static yoga exercises group myofibrils into bundles, enhancing their number. Practitioners of Hatha yoga develop endurance, plasticity, and body relief without increasing muscle mass. Breathing exercises in yoga uniquely influence the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, offering benefits unmatched by fitness and sports.

Examples of Yoga in Fitness

Many fitness and dance routines incorporate yogic asanas performed with weights or dynamically. The popular “vacuum” exercise for the abdomen is derived from yoga, representing an initial level of working with internal abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and breath. Yoga practice inherently promotes relaxation, with the body producing hormones that alleviate psychological stress and foster a union of mind and body.

Modern Influences on Yoga

Yoga continues to evolve with new and innovative directions. A recent trend in Minsk is SUP yoga (Stand-Up Paddleboard yoga), which takes practice from the studio to the water. This form of yoga is more challenging as it requires maintaining balance on a paddleboard, engaging all muscle groups, and enhancing the cardio aspect. The buoyancy of water makes flexibility and stretching exercises easier.

Essential Eastern Philosophy for Yoga Practitioners

To maximize the benefits of yoga, it’s important to understand key philosophical principles:

Yama and Niyama: Moral and ethical principles.
Ayurveda: An ancient science for body cleansing, care, balanced nutrition, and healing.
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Guidance for practice and direction.
Vedas: Ancient sacred texts containing comprehensive knowledge.
Buddhism: A more modern teaching that may be easier to understand and accept.

Individual Approach in Yoga

Yoga practice is highly individual, as it is an introspective journey. Each person’s experience and technique can vary significantly, even within the same class. The practice is tailored to the unique needs and goals of each individual.

For more information, you can follow Tatiana Podolskaya on Instagram.