My journey into the world of yoga started at the age of four, 20 years ago now. My mum (Nicole Leliaert) taught me all too promptly the importance of a healthy relationship between physical and mental well-being. Performing all kinds of postures – sometimes in the strangest positions – was and still is a fun challenge for me. We spent hours on the yoga mat together, which only increased my interest in the fascinating world of yoga. I took my first steps as a yoga teacher in my teens at Yoga Nirmla, where I gave weekly children’s yoga classes.

The many challenging postures also whetted my interest in the human body, which led me to opt for a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy after secondary school. This degree – which I have since earned cum laude – has increased further my knowledge of anatomical structures, movement patterns and understanding of the human body, which is a great asset when teaching and building up yoga classes correctly. The two-year yoga teacher training in Critical Alignment also opened up a whole new world of interesting insights to me.

For me, yoga is a journey of constant change. A yoga pose is more than just a few movements; you learn to know your own body and its limits in an intensive way, and you increase your own body awareness, by combining relaxation with willpower. The Critical Alignment yoga style – which unites physical and emotional strength – also fits in seamlessly with this and distinguishes itself from other yoga styles by focusing on the mobility of the spine, where the balance of the entire body resides. The smallest movement can already have a major impact on the position of the spine and therefore on the body as a whole.

I can draw on my knowledge of the anatomy and functioning of the human body to introduce you to this unique style of yoga. Whether it’s an intensive class about backbends or a relaxing class about leg stretches, I am always ready to advise and guide you through the different asanas (=postures) with a lot of passion and delight. And afterwards, you can always count on that feeling of satisfaction and peace — an ideal way to tackle everyday stress and physical ailments such as neck pain and lower back complaints. In a word, the way to improve your fitness, health and inner balance.

I hope that my mother and I can inspire you with Yoga Nirmla to take time for your body and mind.

Hope to see you soon!