Full Story
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Three languages and four countries that shaped me
Russia 1984
I grew up in one of the most beautiful regions in the world during the Soviet Era. Altai – a place of enormous energetic power in Asia . It was my home for 17 years and it ingrained the importance of nature and the need for a safe secluded place in the wilderness.
Altai is also called a “Power Place” because things happen that are impossible to explain in scientific terminology.
It is one of the most ecologically clean places on our planet. In 1998, UNESCO included several natural sites of Altai Mountains to the World Heritage List under the common name “Altai – the Golden Mountains”. Growing up, it was very common for us to share tall tales and stories about yeti in the mountains and spirits that live on Belukha mountain. All these stories were mystical and intriguing.
Traditional rites and beliefs, Shamanism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity (Old Believers and Orthodoxy), various spiritual practices – all these can be found in Altai Mountains.
One of the most powerful places is the Belukha mountain. And just like Kailash mountain in Tibet, Belukha has never been conquered or climbed. Some get injured while climbing, some get frightened and return.
I grew up knowing that there are things out there that humanity can not explain. This alone opened up my world. I realized that the world is much vaster than any of our perceptions of it.
I am so lucky I call Altai my soul home. It gave me my family, my lifelong friends, education and this strong resilience to overcome so many difficulties. I was born with an overpowering sense of curiosity that helped me adventurously move through life and build homes in three countries.
China 2008
The luck of fate brought me to my second home of 8 years – Shanghai.
The city is so large and international, a rumbling giant, one of the most prosperous business hubs in Asia. Shanghai was my teacher, strict at times yet fair.
This country has gradually led me to explore Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I tried all sorts of healing techniques (acupuncture, Tuina massage, cupping, scraping, moxibustion, herbal treatments, QiGong etc.) done by TCM doctors, medical assistants and massage technicians. This knowledge helped me realize that our bodies have a capacity to heal naturally, without any chemical or external help.
When by chance I walked into a Yin Yoga class after biking to the gym for 6 km, I remember my mind racing, ¨I am late for class!¨, “How do I sneak into the yoga room unnoticed?”. It took 1 hour and 15 minutes for this feeling of hurry and urgency to dissipate. I SLOWLY walked out of the classroom with this new unfamiliar ¨Walking on water” sensations all over me and empty-headedness. Back then I subconsciously knew that this new discovery is going to be with me for life. The Theory of Meridians started to make sense.
I also met my husband, the love of my life in China.
This country gave me my knowledge, my job, my love and people I hold dear to my heart.
Nepal 2014
Right before moving to California, my then fiance and I decided that I would quickly fly to Nepal to get my yoga teaching certification. This sounded like a great idea: it was safe, cheap, close to China.
I made it to the heart of wisdom and adventure – Pokhara. My expectations were soon broken – IT WAS NOT AS EASY AS I THOUGHT. We had to get up at 4 am every day for a month, we vigorously practiced Ashtanga, learned the basics of yoga, chanted mantras, sat in circle meditations, had space to be vulnerable, helped each other with challenging asanas, studied Sanskrit names, participated in group vomiting to cleanse digestive tract, and so much more.
The life of discipline brought some good fruits.
Experience in Pokhara was my first true spiritual lesson. It taught humility, discipline, dropping off egocentric mind, courage and purity of body and mind.
It gave me international friends who share my love of yoga. I was filled with meaningful conversations that reveal the soul. It gave me foundation and courage to give a helping hand, teaching me that every life matters.
USA 2015
Then my husband introduced me to my third home – California. Place where things happen, a place with beautiful landscapes and free-spirited people. Freedom, openness, fresh air, breathtaking views that heighten my spirit. I have been teaching pretty much my whole life, polishing the teaching skills in elementary schools, high schools, giving private classes to teenagers, acting as a foreign instructor of Geography and Aviation. Teaching IS my calling, I have practiced this one for quite a bit.
California opened up with new opportunities! I was a part time yoga teacher and a full time elementary school teacher. I even got to teach Math and Science which I enjoyed. I was so excited to show my little students a different world. I talked about world cultures, nationalities, and geography. It was so rewarding. I was fortunate to be under guidance of wonderful kind teachers and the principal – Mr. V you will always have a very special place in my heart, I am so grateful.
In 2019 a miracle happened in our family, our son was born. This miracle has changed my world. Another life lesson: sacrifice, unconditional love, so many emotions…
These emotions drew me towards investing more time and effort into the knowledge of self-healing. I found myself reading about Western approach to wellbeing- brain functions, neuroscience, cognitive psychology and Eastern approach – Meridian theory, QiGong movements, Tendon Nei Kung, I was locating acupoints for anxiety, depression and extreme fatigue, curiously researching QiGong movements and shapes.
I slowly was integrating my findings into Yin Yoga series.
This massage-like meditative practice has helped my yoga students cope with anxiety, depression, prolonged muscle and joint pain and better sleep.
Yin Yoga has improved the quality of my breath, my energy, my sleep; it helped building stronger connections with my friends and family.
Global pandemics 2020
2020 was my year of Rat. I felt I could make the change. The desire to combine my calling Teaching with the passion for Yoga, TCM and Qi practices created the project – AllYinYoga – during Covid 19, times of major transformation, uncertainty and unrest. It started as a virtual platform for those who need emotional/mental/spiritual support and guidance in times of pandemics as well as charity project to help our communities (ACT OF GIVING).
My students and I managed to support local and international charity groups like Dorophy’s Place, Door to Hope (Salinas), Monterey Food Bank, Jacob’s Heart Children Cancer Services, Mid Coast Fire Brigade, UNICEF.
I believe that the world is changing for the better, people learn to appreciate leisure time, time outdoors, away from work and duties. As human race, we become more aware, more alive!