The yogini: Julianne Andrews
The pose: One-legged King Pigeon (aka Eki Pada Raja Kapotanasana)
The location: Nairobi, Kenya
The benefits: This pose requires concentration and focus on the breath. King Pigeon gives you a beautiful back bend and it is also a heart opener. You can feel a release of energy from the heart chakra as well as the grounding emotion from the root chakra, while you find stability through the opening of the hips. This posture also helps to release sciatic nerve tension and ease chronic lower back pain.
Where’s home?
I am American, from a smaller city in California called Bakersfield. Now, I’m moving to Nairobi in Kenya.
When did your yoga journey begin?
I have been practicing yoga on and off for around 13 years. I have always been in touch with my artistic and spiritual side too. Then about three years ago, after having a career as a freelance make-up artist, and having my daughter, then one day while I was exercising I had a vivid vision flash through my mind – it was of me teaching yoga so I decided to listen to my heart, take a course and see where it leads me.
What kind of yoga do you teach?
I first took a Vinyasa course as well as a 200 hour PranaVayu course with the fantastic, David Magone. PranaVayu is a Buddhist based, structured approach to Vinyasa, combining pranayama with unique skeletal alignment principles and at least 15 minutes of guided, relaxing savasana. The idea behind PranaVayu is to change the body and free the mind.
Yoga transforms, but what is the biggest change you have seen in yourself on this path?
I think it’s the way I now see the world. Yoga has helped me to accept whatever comes along and to walk this planet with an open heart and mind, taking each day as an adventure. It also helps me to lessen any pent up fear and I feel that my balancing poses have helped me most with this. I embraced the fear of falling and learnt how to fall correctly and I take these lessons off the mat. These days, I listen to my soul and trust my inner instincts.
Besides yoga, what are your passions in life?
Well I studied fine art and fashion design. And art is a huge part of my life – when I paint I get lost in it, for me it’s a form of meditation. Then there is my beautiful daughter and loving husband. I love adventure of any kind, making memories, dancing, goofing off with friends and metaphysical stuff. In fact, I once dreamt of being a TV show host; travelling the world looking for ghosts and cryptozoological creatures!
What’s your go-to snack?
I love a piece of fibrous or protein toast with avocado, harissa and alfalfa sprouts.
What makes you lose your Zen?
Arguing with my four year old. People littering or being disrespectful to the planet or to any living being.
What makes you happiest?
Dancing, going home to a clean house and listening to my music (especially 80s New Wave and Indie) and a good glass of Californian red wine.
What’s your mantra in life?
I have a few, although I love this one: The greatest thing in you will ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.
What are your future dreams?
To build a beautiful house in the purity of nature. To find my awakening and to contribute to the Universe in the best I can by being a loving radiant being, and setting a path for my daughter to follow.
