THE discipline of yoga has been around for more than 5 000 years. First introduced to the west in the late 1800s, it only really caught on in the 1980s, and today an estimated 300 million people worldwide enjoy the benefits of yoga practice.
Graaff-Reinet is lucky to have a few highly experienced yoga teachers, and recently Mid-Karoo Express correspondent ELSABÉ PIENAAR not only interviewed skilled yogi, Miranda Gouveia, but also attended her class.
How did you come to live in Graaff-Reinet?
Gouveia: I had had enough of living a fast-paced life within the corporate world of fashion and retail marketing at Woolworths, and decided to exchange Cape Town for Graaff-Reinet. I then chose to focus on my passion for yoga and studied a 500-hour teacher’s training programme under the expert guidance of Dr Elizabeth Morris.
When did you start teaching yoga?
Gouveia: Yoga House has been in existence since June 2017 and is the realisation of a 15-year long dream to have my own personal yoga practice. Having experienced the life-changing benefits of it both physically and mentally, I wanted to share this practice with others.
What kind of yoga do you facilitate?
Gouveia: I first completed the initial 200-hour basic training programme qualifying me as a yoga teacher.
The additional 300-hour training has allowed me to teach therapeutically, using the yoga practice to assist students with various ailments and injuries they may have.
In addition to the Hatha style of yoga, I teach Restorative yoga which is an “active relaxation” by which, through the support of the body with props, the body is stimulated and relaxed to move towards balance. I also teach Yin yoga, a slow, contemplative style that works into the connective tissues (fascia), joints and ligaments, and releases blockages allowing energy to flow better throughout the body.
Tell us about the benefits of yoga?
Gouveia: There are many physical and mental benefits to yoga. Incorporating it into your routine can help strengthen your immune system, increase strength and flexibility, reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety and improve the overall quality of life.
You also teach geriatric yogi’s?
Gouveia: Oh, yes! This form of exercise is so kind to the body. Of course it also improves balance, protecting older people against bad falls.
Mid-Karoo Express’s feedback on Miranda’s class.
Pienaar: I warned Miranda in advance that my lower back is not super flexible. However, she assured me that yoga meets each body where it is at. I found all the exercises do-able, yet challenging enough to leave me relaxed and re-energised at the end of a peaceful and rewarding hour that passed all too soon.
- To find out more about classes and times, contact Miranda Gouveia via Whatsapp on 082 493 7567.
