Franco

The first time I did a ballet class I experienced a subtle awakening. Although I had been very sporty until that very moment, sixteen almost seventeen years old, standing in first position plié, I didn’t realize the pleasure and joy to be found in slow, controlled, and repetitive movement. Instantly hooked I returned to ballet, finding a place of safety, security, and exhilaration. In a very real way ballet became my north star with my body the ship to take me there. I went on to dance professionally for 10 years. However, in all my time as a dancer I never learnt to truly listen to my body. It was a tool, an object to be pushed beyond its limits, an object of expression, of movements, to be played, like a musical instrument without care or concern.

After ballet I completed a degree in architecture. Shifting my focus to the mind and the exploration of creativity. I forgot about my body until one day when, as is most often the case, it called out to me through pain. The pathology rang clear and loud, you have forgotten about me, my body cried.

And so, very slowly, still with the perspective of a dancer I began to explore yoga. At first all I wanted was to gain strength and fitness. Yet, time after time, my body would revolt in pain, as if it was saying, no, you need to go slower, you can’t push me like a dancer anymore.

So after exploring mainly Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga I found Yoga Synergy and a calm conscious way of moving and exploring the body. Described as being dynamic and meditative, Synergy brought a harmony to my practice, initiating a resonance between asana, vinyasa and pranayama. Currently my practice is an active dialogue, a fluid meeting of spirit and matter in the exhilarating moment of the present.