Imagine a style of yoga that allows you to be who you are, feel like you and move how it feels good for you. A style of yoga that has self care at its core, allowing you to move in a way that is just right for your body, your mood, your mobility. This is Strala.
I happened upon Strala Yoga in 2013, in the search for a new yoga class, when I moved to Paris with my family. I found an inclusive, welcoming online community and a style of movement that felt intuitive. It allowed me to follow my breath, soften in my body and find happiness and ease on the mat and in life. By chance, Tara Stiles, founder of Strala came to Paris a couple of months later and I was lucky enough to experience the magic of Strala first hand.
Strala is a style that was created in response to the exclusivity of yoga, where the focus is on perfecting the visual aspect of a pose, the use of Sanskrit and chanting, and a number of yoga gurus with massive egos. Personally, as soon as I see evidence of an inflated ego in a yoga teacher, I never come back. In Strala, teachers are called guides; there is no hierarchy. We all practice together. Instead of a lineage, which idolises a leader, we are inspired by each other and the wisdom of natural movement.
Strala combines the movement and healing wisdom of yoga, tai chi, qigong, and embodies the wisdom of Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, to help people dissolve stress, move easily through challenge, and live radiantly inspiring lives.
Another thing that is special about Strala is that it is truly global. Training takes place all over the world. So this means that you can find a guide who speaks your language and discover a Strala community wherever you are in the world.
Recently, a guide that I met on the advanced training in New York in 2018 had the misfortune of slipping over in her new flip-flops and fractured her wrist. We got on really well and kept in touch, and she invited me to cover her online classes at Jenny Ella Yoga through the Summer. We did a nice combo of yoga followed by meditation. Jenny is also a soul-based life coach - check out her coaching website, Jenny Ella Coaching. I really value keeping the connections going in our Strala community. I also guided some seasonal yoga classes at another Strala partner online studio last year called NOJAM Yoga - they offer classes in different languages as well as qigong.
I hope you enjoy how Strala makes you feel, and connecting with fellow yogis in your class. Maybe one day you'll become a Strala Guide too :)