My Yoga Journey
with Monja Svec
Monja Svec is a yoga teacher and an Ayurvedic beauty therapist in Novi Sad, Serbia. In this interview with Ayurooms, she shares her yoga journey and offers inspiration and motivation to practice yoga.
I remember when I first started practicing yoga, how much I tried to achieve certain results. It only caused frustration and more mind games. It took me few years to work on the basics, just to realize this underlying human need for confirmation of any kind. The more I have healed, the more new challenges I experience. But now, with yoga, I have more clarity and understanding. It is a life practice. I love it.
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Interview with Monja Svec
What does yoga mean to you?To me, yoga is the ultimate guide. This guide slowly awakens our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual potential. It is sacred knowledge that everyone can apply and develop to increase one's capacity for well-being. Yoga doesn’t know separation in human beings, only the mind does. Yoga unites all layers of our being while at the same time focuses on cleaning the subconscious programs that we need to remove from our body and mind. This is a must if we want to progress on our path.
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When did you first start practicing yoga and why?
It was 2007 in my city (Novi Sad). I had an amazing teacher, who was a pioneer in teaching yoga in my country (Serbia). I started to practice because I felt this “calling” since I was a little girl, when I read a book from Swami Yogananda, “Autobiography of a Yogi”. That book opened up my interest for further exploration for yoga and spiritual teachings.
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Were you ever resistant to learn yoga?I had a major resistance to meditate. My mind was very fast and curious, and I remember I couldn’t practice a simple breath to calm down, since I always wanted to know why I am practicing something. That would put me in the condition of overthinking instead of just relaxing and observing. It took me two years just to learn to observe the breath but something started to shift. I became less restless, more focused and present. The moment I gained a more relaxed observation and understanding of my mind's patterns, naturally meditation came easily to me. Above all, meditation is our natural state. Haha.
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How has yoga impacted your life?Practicing yoga and Ayurveda has helped me to become more open, present and observant, as well as healthier in the mind and body. This may sound easy, but it is a practice that never stops. Once you step into this, there is no going back. Everyday I experience some new challenge and programs of the mind that needs true dedication to be seen and healed, and THAT is the most important key to yoga. I remember when I first started practicing yoga, how much I tried to achieve certain results. It only caused frustration and more mind games. It took me few years to work on the basics, just to realize this underlying human NEED for confirmation of any kind. The more I have healed, the more new challenges I experience. But now, with yoga, I have more clarity and understanding. It is a life practice. I love it.
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Why should someone practice yoga?
First, everyone can practice yoga. It depends only if the person has this inner call to start implementing this knowledge in his/her life. I wouldn’t recommend to start just because someone told you or because it’s popular. Try to feel from where this calling is coming from within you, and why this calling is there. It’s important to be clear with this starting point because, from there, all future practice will depend. If you know why, then you will know how to heal bigger challenges on your path. It is great if you have a teacher, guru or anyone who has experienced these teachings and living these practices in everyday life. This person can always help you.
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What are your favourite asanas and why?I love all asanas. Yoga is amazing because it can help you understand your body and mind, and tell you exactly what you have to work on that day. I do yoga intuitively, always listening to my body and its shiftings. Also, I teach others this way: “Listen, feel, trust and implement.” I do a combination of Sattva and Yoga because it offers many healing techniques combined with asanas, kriyas, pranayama, and meditation. It’s an integrative practice that heals deeply.
Follow Monja on Instagram or visit her website. |
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