Nivo's official Yoga coach
Not so long ago, we talked about how Yoga is an effective sport that complements Golf movements helping you to increase your flexibility and improve concentration. Read here.
Nivo takes it to the next level and gives you online classes with our new ambassador: Amy Elkhoury.
A certified yoga teacher from Yoga Alliance and accredited by Federation Francophone de Yoga, Amy is Nivo’s official yoga coach!
She will be giving 2 classes per month exclusively for you via our Youtube Channel and Facebook Fan Page.
Amy Elkhoury
What kind of Yoga do you teach?
I teach Vinyasa flow yoga classes with a focus on body alignment (Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement). I also teach gentle yoga classes when working with some of my private clients. I adapt my classes to each individual to allow them to get the most of the practice.
How long have you been giving yoga classes for?
I have been teaching for over 4 years. Time flies when you really enjoy what you're doing!
How did you start and what inspired you?
I've always been fascinated by the human body and the movement since I was kid. I have taken ballet classes for years. Wanting to connect with my spiritual side I tried Tai Chi, meditation and yoga. Practicing yoga allowed me to meditate while flowing from a posture to the other. It's pure happiness!
Why is Yoga so important for both the mind and the body?
Yoga, which means union, is an ancient science that unites body, mind, and spirit. When practicing yoga one can benefit on a physical level by strengthening the body, improving flexibility and increasing respiratory endurance. On the emotional level, yoga promotes balance, concentration and increases positive mental states.
75 scientific trials published on yoga in major medical journals have reported that people practicing yoga had higher sense of alertness and awareness of themselves, greater level of optimism and less physical complaints and illness.
What advice would you give to a new yoga student?
Listen to your body and connect with your breath in each posture, never hold your breath to do a posture and don't take yourself too seriously, enjoy the moment!
How does practicing Yoga benefit for Golfers?
Golfers can benefit from yoga on different levels: as they work on their flexibility they will have fewer injuries, less low back problem and increase distance in their shots. As yoga helps on concentration, they can benefit on the golf course as they connect with the breath to let go of anything else, focus on the ball, on their movement and improve precision. Also, since golfers swing on one side, they end up strengthening one side only. Yoga can work on symmetry by strengthening the opposite side and stretching the original side. Yoga is a tool of realigning and balancing the body. Golfers can improve their distance, flow and precision.
What do you like best about the Nivo apparel?
Nivo apparel is comfortable, high quality and fashionable clothing for women.
The clothes are designed in Montreal so what's not to like about that?
Do you have any funny stories?
It always makes me laugh when people tell me that they would love to practice yoga but they are not flexible, it's like telling someone I can't take cooking classes I'm not a great cook. But seriously, no one should be too hard on oneself.
Get started, do the best you can and the rest will follow!
You can also find Amy at: www.sauchayoga.com