The yogi: Michelle Roberts
The pose: Downward-Facing Dog (aka Adho Mukha Svanasana)
The location: Courmayeur in Italy
The benefits: Downward Dog is a highly restorative posture. It is said to boost the immune system, treating everything from fatigue to mild depression and back pain. BKS Iyengar says that this pose stretches the whole body, building strength in the arms, legs, abs and feet and it also calms the mind and lifts the spirits. So never dismiss Downward Dog as just a basic posture, it is incredibly rejuvenating.
About the yogi:
Michelle was into figure skating in her teens and discovered yoga in 2002 as a way of regaining flexibility and muscle tone. She fell in love with the practice and is now a qualified Hatha Yoga instructor, having trained with several teachers including Yoga Six founder Katie Brauer in Kerala, India. “Yoga has helped me to understand the circle of life. As human beings we often try to cling on to things and people to remain in comfort. Everything has a cycle though: plants, animals, relationships and jobs/businesses and practising non-attachment and accepting things we cannot change allows us to move away from our own suffering.” Besides teaching yoga, Michelle is also is a flight attendant on private planes. “In Ayurvedic doshas I have a strong Vatha element – movement, the need to be on the go. I love to travel and discover the big world out there. Private flying gives me the element of the unknown as I never know where I will be from one day to the next. I’m lucky enough to be able to roll out my mat at yoga classes with guest teachers all over the world.” Michelle loves being in the fresh air in sunny mountains and is particularly passionate about what is known as skiga – a blend of yoga and skiing. “I find nothing more serene than heading out for the first run of the day in the silence of the mountain. Skiga blends the mindfulness of yoga with the dynamism of skiing. The chair lift is the perfect opportunity for meditation and pranayama (breathing) techniques. And at the end of the day, there is nothing like stretching out into a downward-facing dog to relieve any tension still remaining in the body.”
