The yogini: Brie Lakeman
The location: The Maldives
The pose: Standing head to knee (aka dandayamana janushirasana)
The benefits: This posture isn’t easy – it requires concentration, commitment and persistence. When you curl inwards placing your forehead on your knee, you’re immediately strengthening and flexing all your leg muscles, core and your spine. This posture boosts your sense of balance and floods your reproductive organs with fresh oxygen and nutrients. You’re reminded of humility, patience and surrender.
About the yogini:
Brie is a 31-year-old Bikram Yoga teacher who lives with her boyfriend of four years, Du Jubber, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Her yoga journey began when she was 23 and living in the Gold Coast, Australia. “I tried out Shiatsu yoga (a combo of traditional yoga moves and energy flow). At the time I was working in a demanding corporate job yet discovered what I call yoga meditation – a way of calming my mind and connecting to my soul.”
Soon afterwards, Brie moved to Dubai and fell in love with Bikram (aka hot yoga) She credits her teacher (Tasha Hawkins Meiring) for being such an incredible mentor. “Tasha was a real inspiration. She told me I needed to be in the front row with the regulars. Back then, I wasn’t bendy but I was persistent. I couldn’t believe how amazing I felt after sweating for 90 minutes!”
Earlier this year Brie qualified as a Bikram Yoga Teacher in LA. Besides teaching Bikram and doing asanas on the beach, Brie loves eating avocados, interior decorating and travelling. “One day, I’d like to be involved with animal conservation, particularly in Africa and Asia.” This yogini also aspires to open her own yoga studio in Zimbabwe although as per her mantra: “Everything in its right place and time”.
