This week, we're featuring an interview with the lovely and talented yoga teacher, Chloe Bovay, a former guest of Suncokret's who we've invited to teach in our space this summer.
Tell us a little about yourself; what else do you do besides teach yoga?
I love to walk in nature or in town, especially in a city I don’t know or barely, and to take photographs... And I’m fond of music, I am listening to a lot of music (jazz, classical, world, pop rock...).
How did you get into yoga?
I went in my first class of yoga in 2007 and it was love at the first sight : I knew that I had just found something that was about to help me and change my life, that it was exactly what I needed : to be grounded in my body and to quiet my mind.
What was your life like before yoga?
I was working with children and in a restaurant as a waitress, and studying music and singing: I was actually dreaming of being a singer!
What would you say is the one best thing about yoga?
As said, the first thing that was obvious for me with yoga is that it grounds me in my body and quiets my mind. But also, that through this connection with something deep and quiet in myself, it connects me with something bigger than myself too, and finally with other people.
I would also note the fact that it helps me to accept myself as I am, exactly as I am in the present moment. (And things as they are too, of course.) It is all about being able to see the beauty and perfection of the present moment.
What was your best class teaching / group event experience?
My class every Friday morning at the moment... I teach most of my classes in the afternoon or in the evening, and I enjoy the energy of the morning, and the presence of the people is quite different too. They are very happy and receptive too.
What was your favorite thing about coming to Suncokret as retreat guest?
It's hard to say! The yoga, the wonderful and quiet place, the people and the fact that it allowed me to connect deeply with myself and my yoga practice.
What do you hope guests will gain by attending your event at Suncokret?
I’d like to offer them the same I just described above, mixed with my own sensitivity to yoga, while helping them to find their own sensitivity to yoga.
How did you come up with the "precision and flow" event theme you are leading at Suncokret?
I was trained in vinyasa yoga, and I love the energy of vinyasa yoga. But I find also very usefull and grounding to work on the asanas in a more « static » way, in order to have the time to work on the alignment (Iyengar-style) and feel things in a more subtle way. That’s why I like to alternate these two approaches.
Is there any ideal way retreat participants can better prepare themselves for their retreat time with you?
A regular practice once per week during a few months before would be a good preparation.
At the end of the event week, what is the one thing you hope retreat participants will walk away feeling?
To feel connected with themselves and the Universe, to feel relaxed in their body, alive and confident in their heart, and to feel confident about who they are and their place in the world.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing as an exclusive events teacher at Suncokret?
To have time to work a bit deeper with the students than in a weekly class, and I’m sure I’ll be in the best place in the world to do that.
What advice would you give to aspiring yoga teachers who would like to lead retreats?
A teacher of mine (Rachel Zinman) once told us during the teacher training to teach what WE need in order to be more balanced... And it will attract the right people. I think it’s the best advice. And also, of course, to be authentic and trust yourself. Even when you’re not sure about what you’re going to tell in the class. It happened to me many times, and then I just sit in front of my students, take a few breaths and the right words always come. It’s magic!