As my teacher says: "where there is life, there is yoga". Ever since I discovered the teachings of yoga I have been completely fascinated by it.

When I started learning yoga I was in my mid teenage years, already suffering from back pains. Yoga guided me in finding more understanding of my physical and energetic body, acting as therapy for my physical pains and mental wellness. As I dived deeper into the path of yoga I encountered the system called Ashtanga Yoga and found myself fully immersed in a practice full of knowledge and wisdom. It helped me cure many pains in my body, and allowed me to keep a loving and humble attitude towards myself, nature and life.

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I feel blessed to have been exposed to various cultures and beliefs, having a Lebanese father and Korean mother, and being born in Iran. I learnt to keep an open mind, a gentle heart and to cultivate kindness, patience and compassion. Having lived in various countries I have noticed that regardless of our nationalities, religion, or belief, we all have something in common, and that is to have faith. To have faith in ourselves, to make the effort required, and to surrender to the outcome. To have faith that this universe will catch us if we fall. And Ashtanga Yoga is not different, it is not only about making shapes with the body, but it is a tool for us to come back to our center. In fact, most of the teachings of yoga are not new to us, they are merely a reminder of what we already know but have somehow managed to forget. 

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Before I started to teach yoga I was working as producer in an advertising agency for about 10 years and couldn't be more grateful to have had that experience as it allowed me to build an understanding of many aspects of the life we are living in the present moment. Being exposed to the challenges of a relatively intense industry opened my eyes to the reality of most of us in this world today and has helped shape the person I am now.

 

When I was introduced to Ashtanga, the connection was instant, and haven't stopped practicing and learning ever since. With about 20 years of dedicated daily practice, I started teaching yoga since 2012. It was a natural step forward to travel to Mysore to deepen my studies with R. Sharath Jois at the Shri K.Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, and have been going back ever since to visit my teacher at the Sharath Yoga Centre.

I am very humbled and grateful to be the first Lebanese practitioner to have received the blessings from my dear teacher R. Sharath Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga. 

Yoga has been a part of my life since I can remember, and my practice has helped me grow stronger and at the same time maintain a forgiving attitude. Yoga inspires me to live each moment more mindfully to the fullest.​

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It is an honor to share my love and passion for yoga. I am forever grateful to my Guru.

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Nathalie Daou

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For the list of authorized teachers please check this link:

https://sharathyogacentre.com/asia/

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Nathalie Daou

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