Ask Ariadna - 'Meet the Teacher' Interview
Yoga runs through Ariadna’s genes. After 20 years of practicing Ayurveda, this interview shows how lucky we are to have as part of our Academy’ Team.
Ariadna is an Ayurvedic Medicine practitioner, teacher and writer. She teaches Ayurveda History & Philosophy on our 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course.
Why and when did you decide to train as a yoga teacher/trainer?
Yoga has been part of my life since I was born thanks to my amazing mother who was a Yoga teacher. In 2003 I graduated with the College of Ayurveda in London and travelled to India to complete my internship. Once there I ended up spending two years training with Dr Liladhar Gupta, an invaluable experience. In 2005 I pursued further academic qualification and completed my Bachelors in Ayurvedic medicine from Manipal University.
It was clear to me then that health education is essential to create well-being and prevent disease. I met many wonderful people during the nine years of training who instilled in me a sense of responsibility to share the ancient wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda.
What is your favourite style of Yoga?
Yoga means navigating day to day with equilibrium, wisdom, a higher purpose and connection. My favourite part of Yoga is pointing its lens onto my relationships, decisions and activities. From what to eat, how to engage with others and how to work. I think this is the best "type of Yoga" as it offers the highest benefits for the mental and spiritual crisis we're seeing today.
What aspirations do you have for your students?
My hope is that students will cultivate an authentic and lifelong Yogic way of living. This will naturally enrich their lives and those of their community.
What aspirations do you have for your graduates’ students?
For them to continue to deeply study and live the true meaning of traditional Yoga and Ayurveda. I also hope they can develop qualities and skills to create a positive impact in the world.
What aspirations do you have for the Academy?
For the Academy to be a hub that provides great training and resources for the wonderful people of Bath and beyond. Being an example of how Yoga can be practised in the West as it has been in India for thousands of years.
What do your graduates go on to do after completing the course?
Some graduates become yoga teachers themselves and others continue to develop their personal practice. All of them report the transformative and life changing effect that learning Yoga and Ayurveda has on every level of their life whether professionally or personally.
Why do people choose to train at the AFYT?
They expect to receive great quality training with a team of professionals, in a great location.
What courses do you teach at AFYT?
Ayurveda and Yoga Philosophy. Particularly I teach a branch of Ayurveda called Swastha Vritta, that focuses on how we can better understand our individual bodies and minds, and thereby employ food, lifestyle and environment to achieve optimal health and balance. I also love teaching Yoga philosophy which is an extraordinary tool for nourishing the heart and soul.
How does AFYT positively impact the community?
If just one person can be a beacon of vitality it creates a positive ripple effect on everyone around them. Similar to when we throw a pebble on a lake and the waves expand many fold.
Which charities do you support and why?
I support several organisations in India where the people are 100% dedicated to community welfare, providing meals and education far and wide. I'm currently supporting Jay Shetty who is running the "Help India breathe campaign", with the current in India every penny makes a big difference. please do contribute if you can! https://www.facebook.com/donate/471073180772113/
Who inspires you?
My teachers and students. I've had the great fortune of learning from true masters that daily inspire me in the path of holistic healthcare. It's equally inspiring to see students develop their own skills by integrating Ayurvedic principles into their lives.
What have your learned from the pandemic?
Slowing down is the best thing in the world.
What have you learned about yourself due to the pandemic?
There's a huge amount of house DIY I can do from painting to fixing floors :-)
What drives you?
Great quality foods and delicious meals, all vegetarian of course!!
What do you love?
Always India, it's people, its arts, its culture and colourful tradition.
What do you dislike?
Arguments and fights.
What is the hardest lesson you have had to learn?
I can't do everything and be everywhere at the same time, and that's ok.
What makes you proud?
My husband. He's one of the most extraordinary people I know. A genius brain with the capacity to solve any problems and make all technology work. His love, wisdom and support mean the world to me.
What makes you have a proper belly laugh?
Undoubtedly my friends, especially when I go to Spain where puns and jokes are the daily bread and butter.
What is your favourite music?
Kirtan and classical music. I'm a great fan of Jahnavi Harrison and Hauser, the cello player.
What is your favourite film?
Dances with wolves
What is your favourite asana?
Padma Asana, Lotus pose
What is your favourite food?
Having trained as an Ayurvedic cook that's a hard question to answer, there's unlimited number of recipes I love. A seasonal veggie stew with coconut, lime and coriander plus chappati bread and sweet rice would be one of them.
What food do you most dislike?
I'm not a fussy eater at all, I truly love all Vegetarian food.
Favourite item of clothing?
Jogging pants and sweatshirt
Favourite Yoga outfit?
The baggiest cotton fitting clothes - hate tight lycra.
Favourite hobby?
Walking on the countryside
Favourite book?
I'm a book worm so it's hard to pick one. My friend Simon Haass has written "Yoga and the dark night of the soul" which is a fantastic read I highly recommend.
Share a lesser known fact about you.
I love to Ski as I grew up in Granada very close to the Sierra Nevada mountains. Skiing is a type of Yoga for me that I always try to get away to, the higher the mountain the better, being close to the sky above the clouds is my passion.
Want to benefit from Ariadna’s teaching? Consider joining our next 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course.
Online or In Person and with a Yoga Alliance Professionals Certification - we guarantee you will graduate with integrity, strength and focus and ready to teach your first course.