Initially, slowing down can feel like we're delaying that progress, but what it does is it changes the quality of how we are moving. When we move slowly or simply enough to pay attention, we create the conditions in which movement can actually change —

"Listening to the body" can sound vague. For me it has become something quite concrete. It means learning to notice differences. What does something actually feel like? When does it happen? What happened before it? What happens when I change something? Does rest help? What kind of rest? Does movement make it worse, or does a particular kind of movement make it better? What happens if I eat before going somewhere, dress more warmly or sit instead of stand? Over time, this produces information.

This has made me increasingly interested in the difference between being capable of performing a movement and understanding how movement works. I want strength, mobility and a large movement vocabulary. But I also want to know how to use them.

My response is the same one I give in the studio. Start with curiosity, not knowledge. What catches your attention? What does it remind you of? What happens if you give it another minute? Once the curiosity is there, the knowledge grows around it on its own.

How to make arm balances feel lighter and more controlled

Arm balances are often treated primarily as a test of strength. When people struggle to lift their feet from the floor, the obvious conclusion is that their arms, shoulders or abdominal muscles are not yet strong enough.

Alexandra Meffert & Lavinia Dames (Foto Credits Klaudia Taday)

Retreat for the Senses is not simply a yoga retreat; it is a journey into the art of living fully. It integrates functional movement, stress management, and mindfulness with cultural and sensory delights.