TEACHERS
PAOLA MAYU NICOLE AMI ANDREA ROBERTO  

 

Paola

I was born and raised in Milano, Italy. As A little girl I was very flexible in my hips and legs. I used to climb on trees in our backyard and my family used to call me “little monkey”. At age 6 I started figure roller skating which I continued until I got to compete in the regional championship. After that I switched to ice skating. At 8 I also started swimming pretty consistently.

It is at 10 that I had my first encounter with Yoga. I used to watch my mom dressed in long black leotards doing stretching poses with a book in front of her. I asked her what it was and she said “It’s Yoga. It’s good for your body and your mind”. Looking back, I can see that she was exploring new things and she was ahead of her time. Back than, in Italy, Yoga was still a foreign concept.

As I moved to the US in the late 80’ I came across Yoga again and I included it permanently in my life. I was living in San Francisco and several types of Yoga were available. I mainly practiced Iyengar style with some Ashatanga and Shivananda classes here and there. I continued for about a decade until in the late 90’ my brother introduced me to Bikram Yoga. Since than, I practiced only Bikram Yoga until I decided to become a Bikram Yoga Teacher.

After a couple of years spent teaching for others, I moved to Los Angeles with my brother and we opened the Bikram Yoga Redondo studio in May 2004.

Before I started Bikram Yoga I used to have lower back pain and within a year or so into this practice, by doing so many backward bending and abdominal muscle strengthening, the pain completely disappeared. Also, I used to have a slow digestion process which, with the practice, improved tremendously. Besides the obvious physical benefits, Bikram Yoga gave a lot of mental strength and focus. It brought clarity.

As I walk in a Yoga class as a teacher or as a student, I do my very best to leave any problems or concerns behind and focus on the present moment. It does not come easy. The key for me is will, discipline and constant effort.

My goal as a teacher is to bring to my students some of the same benefits I was able to experience.

My passion for the practice is reflected in my teaching. I pay attention first and foremost on proper breathing and body’s alignment. When I teach the class, I am 100% “in the moment”, body and mind.

As you come to my class, please have a positive attitude. Try to leave your worries behind and be a great listener.

I hope to see you soon in class.

Namaste…………..Paola.

Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man During those instants when his mind is calm……….. The goal of yoga science is to calm the mind, That without distortion it may hear the infallible counsel of the Inner Voice.