Todays guest interview is with Delamay Devi, a yoga teacher I met whilst studying with Shiva Rea. Her retreats are high up on my wishlist… Bali anyone? This girl is full of heart, if you get the opportunity to practice with her, grab it! Interviewing Delamay has woken up my wanderlust and reignited a desire to dedicate more time to my yoga mat… enjoy!
1.Tell us a little about yourself
I love anything to do with creativity and self expression! Born and raised in Byron Bay Australia, from a very young age all I wanted to do was dance and be involved in community events. Over the years I have worked with a full spectrum of people from rural Aboriginal community’s to dressing up as Madonna and performing in clubs in London. Travel has always been a huge part of my life, my mum traveled around India and South East Asia with me when I was 4 and 5 then again when I was 10. Then literally days after my 19 birthday I left my little beach town and flew to Europe where I ended up being based for 11 years! Now fast forward 7 years I have been living out of my suitcase, following the sun and offering yoga workshops, trainings and retreats in many beautiful parts of the world. Continuing to nourish my gypsy adventurous soul!
2. Everyone who has ended up on a yoga mat raising their arms in their first sun salutation has a story of what led them there. What’s yours?
Dance. Dance has been my saving grace and during the many trainings and courses I have taken over the years yoga has always been there to support my journey. I admire the dedication and transformation that yoga brings into my daily life. Each round of a sun salutation may be very similar but each time we fold forward the mind has a different story to tell. The body releases a little deeper and the breath reveals so much more about our true nature.
3. What keeps you returning to your yoga mat?
The feel good after glow feeling! Because I travel so much, I know unrolling my mat not only helps me ground into the new environment but also unwinds the tightness in my hips from sitting for long hours and stretches out my hamstrings again. My time on the mat also reminds me to connect with gratitude, gratitude for this life, for this moment and for the opportunities which continuously represent themselves.
4. How has your yoga practice filtered through to your every day life?
I am so much more conscious of my breath, my posture and my attitude to the “stuff” which comes up in daily life.
5. What is your favorite yoga pose, breathing practice or mantra?
I love the So Ham mantra and do this a lot during almost any pranayama practice and favorite yoga pose would be anything which challenges me and requires me to be totally present to embody it fully.
6. What advice do you have for those just starting out on their yoga journey?
Listen to the wisdom of your body, be your own teacher and if you don’t find a class which suits your needs keep looking as there is a yoga style for everyone!
7. How has your yoga practice evolved over time?
My practice changes daily, monthly, yearly and as my body gets older. Some days I need more restoration and other days more fire. I like to practice with the cycles of the moon and the seasons. I go through different stages of working on one particular asana then change it up.
Being a highly creative person I find it hard to stick to one particular way of practicing so there is a constant flow of evolution on my mat.
8. What are you loving right now?
Here in Bali I have the perfect practice space in my garden with a platform surrounded by bamboo and frangipani flowers. It is a highly creative space and I receive so much inspiration when I practice here
under the blue sky.
9. How do you nurture yourself?
Listen to my needs, rest when I need too, follow my creative spark, receive a massage, hang out with close friends, dance, shake and go for a walk in nature.
10. What wisdom has your yoga practice revealed to you that you’d like to share with us?
You are more then just your physical embodiment.
Thank you Delamay!
Be sure to take a look at Delamay’s website to learn more about her amazing retreats and mentorship offering.
Bio
With a background in dance it was a natural progression to teaching yoga and delve deeper into the rhythm of the breath, the natural flow of the body and the formlessness of meditation. Originally from Byron Bay, Delamay now divides her time between Australia, Europe and Asia, following the sun and sharing themed workshops and intensives, master classes and retreats in many beautiful parts of the world. Her intention is to create a safe space for personal empowerment that allows you to embody the true essence of your authentic self. Delamay has over 1000 hours of yoga training which includes a 500 hour Prana Flow® certification. She makes regular trips to LA to continue her studies with Shiva Rea, the creator of Prana Flow® Energetic Vinyasa and is deeply honoured to be part of the global assistance program for the Prana Flow tribe. Delamay caters for all levels of practitioners, helping the more advanced yogis to deepen their mind /body connection and loves to gently guide beginners through their first few steps on the mat. Delamay believes there is a yoga style for everybody, depending on what you deeply resonate with and what serves your body in that moment.
Here is how you can connect with Delamay:
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