How did you choose your mala? Were you drawn to a particular gemstone or was there a certain intention you were looking to bring into your life?
When I first saw the malas I was drawn to the turquoise stone right away. As I narrowed down my field of favorites to just a few I keep coming back to the Surf Girl Mala. I loved the big turquoise stone combined with the delicate a feminine look of the Rudrani.
As both a yogi and a teacher I feel like I am on one huge wave continually moving, changing, learning and growing. The idea of having a mala that would protect me as I swim out into the every changing 'swell of life was one I couldn't pass up.
When did you start your yoga and meditation practices?
Yoga came into my life over 8 years ago when I practiced at a few different studios in Sydney, Australia. The meditation component of the practice really grabbed me (and stuck with me) during quiet a few years of travel. It wasn't until I found myself living in Thailand practicing yoga everyday that my body started to love it too!
After returning to Australia I knew I had no choice — this yoga thing made me feel so darn good! In these years I've developed a dedicated practice, taught thousands of classes, met hundreds of teachers, loads of amazing bodies have been seen, and I have one very full heart. Because of this practice I am standing here, comfortably in my own skin, following my heart and inviting this life in.
"The idea of having a mala that would protect me as I swim out into the every changing 'swell of life was one I couldn't pass up."
What is your current favorite yoga pose - why?
Any backbend — I love all asana that opens the heart! They leave me feeling grateful for the body that I have, the relationships that surround me, and the ability to be vulnerable and show my strength all at the same time.
I am currently working on all my scorpion variations (handstand and forearm balance) to really find the balance between my bendy spine, strong centre and courageous mind.
Do you have a favorite mantra or intention to meditate with?
My go to mantra is “so hum”. It is simple and quickly brings me into a place of focus. This mantra is not only a reflection of the sound of the breath but it also carries a contemplative meaning: “I am that” (so = “I am” and hum = “that”).
This contemplation meditation I find is an opportunity to sit, observer and get back to the moment just to 'be'. It gets me out of places of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.
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Rhyanna is an experienced yoga instructor based in Perth, Western Australia. Her passion is bringing balance, clarity, strength and joy to the day-to-day lives of everybody through the practice of yoga. Drawing on her strong anatomical knowledge and experience of yoga philosophy, her aim is to provide a safe place for students to discover their strength and flexibility both on and off the mat. She believes in sharing yoga not only as a series of movements, but as a philosophy and a way of life. |
