Meet Szilvia. Another fellow expat living in Abu Dhabi. Szilvia joined us in March as a participant in our 30 Day Anniversary Month Challenge. As soon as she joined, she quickly became a familiar face with her ever-present bright smile. Szilvia was so committed to her practice that she showed up to classes at 5am and ended her day with the 9pm classes. (She’s also known as the last survivor of our 10 minute Community Meditation Sessions).
Szilvia and Alex met at a local studio where Alex used to teach yoga part time before quitting her daytime school teaching job. After parting ways with that studio, the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown and the creation of the MLPC; the two reconnected again when Szilvia decided to try the Sober Curious path with Alex.
Since Alex started offering live and in person yoga here in Abu Dhabi (soon all over the world), I had the pleasure to meet Szilvia in person and she’s just as lovely as in Zoom. The All-Stars and our guest on the blog for the week honored us with her response to our community interview... enjoy
So Szilvia, tell us what inspired you to start practicing yoga?
Szilvia: I went for a week long fitness camp in Thailand where I took my first yoga class. I did 3-4 classes a day and I thought I can close the day with a yoga and give it a go! I still remember how hard it was - it was impossible for me to have 5 breath in downward dog position - couldn’t control my breathing and it is much harder than it looks. So there was plenty of room for improvement.
Have you ever had any experience with yoga before joining the MLPC?
Szilvia: Yes I practiced for quite a while - slowly but surely.
What’s your connection to the MLPC?
Szilvia: I joined the Sober Curious Yoga (formerly known as Sober Girls Yoga) group in March 2021, I was curious about sobriety and I thought I give it a go. I met so many lovely people there and it also helped with my yoga practice, meditation and self reflection.
How did you end up being so committed to yoga?
Szilvia: I really enjoy the challenges which yoga brings along. I am committed to do just a bit better every day. Yoga brings me peace, challenges, balance not only in my body but also in my mind.
Did you face any challenges during the month of April?
Szilvia: Since the pandemic started my life is just a rollercoaster. I have never experienced so many ups and downs in my life in such a short period. Now I am making peace that my life is entering in a different stage, and I am leaving Abu Dhabi behind which I called home for the last 13 years.
What are the biggest benefits you’ve reaped from your yoga practice?
Szilvia: With a regular yoga practice I became better and better in all part of my life. Even if I fall, I just keep on trying, and I feel that I am already so much better at it when I started. I transfer this feeling in any other part of my life, and I keep on practicing until I get things right.
“I really enjoy the challenges which yoga brings along. I am committed to do just a bit better every day. Yoga brings me peace, challenges, balance not only in my body but also in my mind.”
Szilvia
What’s your favorite posture?
Szilvia: I love Warrior 3, Half moon or Tree pose - those balancing poses require your full attention and grounding.
What’s your most difficult posture?
Szilvia: I believe it’s the Crow - but one day I’ll get there.
What is your favorite type(s) of yoga? And why?
Szilvia: Recently I really enjoy Vin and Yin classes, it’s a great combination of a bit of vinyasa and yin yoga, so I get a good movement and stretch for my body.
Any words of wisdom to those just starting out?
Szilvia: It is a beautiful journey, all you need to do just to keep showing up.
Thank you Szilvia for taking the time to answer our interview questions and for being part of this community! Good luck on you life journey ahead.
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May you all be safe, happy, healthy, and free.
Yasir