Background

YTT Ashtanga | Vinyasa

Hi! My name is CristinA!

My aim is to guide holistic movement in the community through the power of yoga! As an avenue for everyone to find fluidity.

Thanks for taking a moment to learn about my story:

Since I could remember, I have been practicing yoga in whatever form I could. As kids we learn to play and move through our innate instincts in that moment. Hanging upside down, running a random sprint, doing a backbend, etc. As a kid, I remember hitting a pose whenever I could sneak one in! I would attempt to stretch into scorpion pose in the middle of the grocery store, not aware of the theory and deliberate method behind the famous scorpion pose.

Through yoga, we create that same space when we show up on the mat.

From childhood and onwards, Yoga has served as a refuge and tool for me in more trivial times in my life. After a car accident that left me with a severe TBI ,followed by years of on and off again nervous system imbalance, yoga always allowed me to see the world from a holistic lens with so much to offer whether through movement, through the philosophy that guides our minds, or through the lifestyle that honors our interconnectedness to the environment. To this day, I have seen time and time again, my community finding so much freedom of the body and mind through yogic practices. At Respira events, theres a session for each style and for each mindset!

Receiving my YTT Ashtanga /Vinyasa in Indonesia was a dream come true! Each lesson I have learnt as a student I bring forth into each movement, each asana, & each intention. I design my sessions to cover a broad range of styles and frequencies. Our bodies speak to us in different tones throughout the days, weeks, and years. Some flows are designed as up-beat, high output flows that incorporate ashtanga & vinyasa style. Other’s are designed to sink into the present moment and relax into the now using sound healing, Yin Yoga, and deep pranayama-backed sequences.

All in all, as yogis, were all students of life with an openness to keep evolving and learning.

Join me and i’ll Catch you on the mat!

The Method:

The meditative practice of Breathwork has existed across cultures and healing institutions for centuries. At its core, breathwork utilizes intentional, synchronized breathing to channel energy in and out of our bodies and consequently bringing us to a state of clear awareness.

In China——it’s essential to Qi Gong practice.

In India—Prana energy is channeled through breathwork.

In Christianity—-Breath Prayers have been practiced by monks & Celtics.

In Shamanism--Intentional breathing is a core of sweat lodge ceremonies to detoxify and balance the energy centers of the body.

Breathwork serves as a moment to come to a pure state of presence with yourself, allowing for inner-reflection to come to fruition and channeling our innate inner power and light.

If you, like I do, believe that our bodies are vessels of discovery and creation—then the SCIENCE that backs breathwork will amaze you and hopefully interest you in realizing the potential of this practice:

Cerebral Effects

Nervous System Shift: Deep breathing activates the vagus nerve, stimulating the parasympathetic system and sympathetic nervous systems. Our nervous systems influence all our 6 senses, memory capacity, sleep, & healing.

Brainwave Regulation: Promotes alpha and theta waves (relaxation/learning) while reducing stress-related beta waves, enhancing calm and focus.
Neurotransmitter & Hormone Balance: Reduces cortisol and emits dopamine/serotonin which influence neural circuits that regulate emotional states, lowering anxiety and depression.

Body Effects

Metabolic: Can improve blood glucose levels and reduce lactic acid buildup.
Oxygenation: Balances oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, improving overall cellular function & loading your brain cells with more oxygen.