The practice of yoga is deep rooted in history and is thought to have first developed over 5,000 years ago in northern India. Now popular around the globe there are many different types of yoga practiced, many of which you can experience with us here at The Sarojin, which all offer incredible health benefits for the body, mind and soul.
One of the most popular forms of yoga, particularly in the west, is Hatha yoga which is an umbrella term for all styles of yoga that are grounded in a physical practice. This style is best for beginners as it’s usually slower paced than other more complex forms. Another common style and one that is a particular favourite of Justine Capdevielle, our expert yoga teacher here at The Sarojin, is Vinyasa yoga. It’s often considered one of the most athletic yoga disciplines and was adapted from Ashtanga yoga in the late 80’s. During this practice, the changing positions of the body are carefully coordinated with the breath and flow of movement between poses.
Whatever yoga style you choose, it’s likely your practice will go hand in hand with some mindful meditation techniques. At The Sarojin our classes always finish with a soothing cool down for the mind which sets you up ready for the day ahead. Most of our sessions last 90-minutes and take place in the luscious green gardens of the resort or besides our tranquil pool.
Here, Justine tells us a little more about her experience with yoga and meditation and what makes a class at The Sarojin so special…
“For me, yoga and meditation is an essential part of my daily life and it’s something I think we should all practice on a regular basis. I first discovered yoga many years ago when I emigrated from my home country of Uruguay to London. I was struggling with such an enormous change in my life and needed to find a way to feel safe and secure in my new home – for me it was yoga that provided that comfort. I can still remember all of the sensations and emotions I felt in that very first session, I cried during the mantras and knew immediately that this was something I needed to incorporate into my life in a big way.
My yoga guru in London was so wise and her teachings have served me throughout my life, in the many different countries that I have lived, both in times of difficulty and in times of pure joy and happiness. This is the beauty of yoga, it can help you in all aspects of your life and provide an incredibly powerful insight into your inner feelings and emotions – I always say that the mat is my mirror and how I perform, move, react and breathe on it reflects where I am in my life.
After 15 years of being a yoga student myself I truly discovered the practice on a deeper level and it was then that I realised just how important it was in helping me deal with all of the anxiety and stress I had previously experienced. With that I decided to leave my job in tourism and dedicated myself to spreading yoga around the world.
I’m certified in both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, which is predominantly what I teach at The Sarojin. I am also a student of Kundalini yoga myself, so often incorporate some of these techniques into my sessions – particularly into the meditations. I believe that meditation and yoga go hand-in-hand, as all of the asanas and sequences I teach in my classes are designed to open and balance the body and mind in preparation for meditation. At the end of a yoga class, the body is in the perfect condition to meditate before ‘shavasana’ (deep relaxation) where the body, mind and soul are truly aligned.
The Sarojin’s yoga classes are held in the resort’s picturesque grounds which are the ideal location for deep relaxation. Shaded by an abundance of tropical trees in the resort’s garden, you can also hear the gentle soothing sounds of the sea coming from The Sarojin’s secluded stretch of white sand beach during the sessions. Classes are suitable for any skill or fitness level as I adapt the postures to whoever attends, so whether you’re a first timer to the practice or a fully fledged yogi the classes will be perfect for you. I am also certified in prenatal/ postnatal yoga and Rainbow Kids yoga which I teach with family groups, so all ages can get involved.”
Speak to our team about booking a yoga and meditation class with Justine at the resort. Classes are available from 1,000 THB per person (approx. £25). For further yoga inspiration ahead of your stay, check out Justine’s social channels here: Instagram @justineinyoga/ Facebook @yogaKhaolak/ YouTube – Justine capdevielle Just in Yoga.
