NATHALIE DAOU
As my teacher says, 'Where there is life, there is yoga.' Ever since I discovered the teachings of yoga, I have been completely fascinated by it.
My journey with yoga began in my mid-teenage years when I was already experiencing back pains. Yoga became my guiding light, offering me a deeper understanding of my physical and energetic body. It acted as therapy for my physical pains and contributed to my mental wellness. As I delved deeper into the path of yoga, I encountered the system called Ashtanga Yoga and found myself fully immersed in a practice rich with knowledge and wisdom. It not only helped me alleviate physical pains but also fostered a loving and humble attitude towards myself, nature, and life.
I feel blessed to have been exposed to various cultures and beliefs, being born to a Lebanese father and Korean mother in Iran. This upbringing taught me to keep an open mind, a gentle heart, and to cultivate kindness, patience, and compassion. Living in different countries revealed a common thread among us, regardless of nationality, religion, or belief – the importance of faith. Faith in ourselves, the effort required, and surrendering to the outcome. Faith that the universe will catch us if we fall. Ashtanga Yoga, too, is not just about shaping the body; it is a tool for us to return to our center. In fact, most of the teachings of yoga are not new; they are reminders of what we already know but have somehow managed to forget.
Before I started teaching yoga, I worked as a producer in a production house for about 8 years. I am grateful for that experience as it allowed me to understand various aspects of our present life. Exposure to the challenges of an intense industry opened my eyes to the reality faced by many in today's world and played a significant role in shaping the person I am today.
When introduced to Ashtanga, the connection was instant, and I haven't stopped practicing and learning since. With about 20 years of dedicated daily practice, I began teaching yoga in 2012.
Traveling to Mysore to deepen my studies with R. Sharath Jois at the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute was a natural step forward, and I had been returning ever since to visit my teacher at the Sharath Yoga Centre up to his passing in November 2024.
I am humbled and grateful to be the first Lebanese practitioner to have received blessings from my dear teacher R. Sharath Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga.
Yoga has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and my practice has helped me grow stronger while maintaining a forgiving attitude. It inspires me to live each moment mindfully and to the fullest.
It is an honor to share my love and passion for yoga. I am forever grateful to my Guru. His teachings have shaped not only my practice but also the way I share this beautiful tradition with all of you.
Let us honor his legacy by continuing to step onto our mats with intention, humility, and gratitude.
Nathalie Daou
For the list of authorized teachers please check this link:
https://sharathyogacentre.com/asia/
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ASSISTANT TEACHERS
YARA EL HAYEK
I commenced my regular yoga practice in 2019, balancing it with a demanding corporate job to enhance my overall well-being.
The profound sense of bliss experienced in Savasana consistently drew me back to the practice. Witnessing the positive transformations in my body and the therapeutic effects of yoga, I decided to deepen my journey as a yogi by undergoing Yoga teacher training. I was immediately captivated by the philosophy and spiritual aspects of Yoga. Since then, my path has been dedicated to understanding the intricate connection between the body and mind, providing me with a profound sense of contentment.
As I continued to learn and grow as a yogi, my passion shifted towards sharing the joy of yoga and the profound sense of bliss with those around me. Immersing myself in the Ashtanga method, I became a regular practitioner at
The Shala Dubai, where I also assist Nathalie Daou. My dedication lead me to study at the source of Ashtanga Yoga, the Sharath Yoga Center.
My goal is to disseminate the practice and lifestyle of yoga, offering people the opportunity to experience the life-changing benefits that I have personally embraced.
PARISA ABAD
Parisa has been teaching yoga in Iran for the past 6 years and has recently moved to Dubai. For her, practicing the Ashtanga Yoga method gives her a sense of ease, contentment and discipline.
No wonder she lives to share her passion for yoga with others.
In 2016, she embarked on an epic journey to India where she discovered she was entirely immersed in the tradition method of Ashtanga Yoga. Parisa's practice doesn't come from a place of achieving postures, but from a place of genuinely wanting to discover herself and become who she believes she is meant to become: brave and authentic to her values.
Parisa has been a regular practitioner at The Shala Dubai since she moved to Dubai and is currently assisting Nathalie Daou in the morning mysore classes.
AGOSTINA FRESNO
Agostina is a dedicated practitioner, passionate about yoga and she has been assisting Nathalie Daou The Shala Dubai. she is teaching the morning mysore classes at Dubai Internet city branch. Here is a little message from her:
"I discovered the Ashtanga practice six years ago during a challenging period in my life. Within a few months of starting the practice, things began to take a different direction. Since then, the practice has been my faithful companion, a lifestyle. The most significant revelation for me was not achieving impressive asanas and postures (which constitute just one anga of the eight steps of Ashtanga).
I truly grasped that there is something beyond the physical body; we are purusha (soul), akin to an eternal light that never goes out. Ashtanga, for me, is a path in constant construction—physically, spiritually, and mentally. It transforms your life for the better. At least, this practice has changed my life, and for that, I'm eternally grateful.
In my younger days, I was a dancer and later began teaching dance classes. When I started practicing yoga, a few years later, I felt the need to share what this practice brought me.
I believe I was born with a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge. It's a privilege and an honor to help others. Sharing this practice brings me immense joy!"