She’ll leave you in suspense Beatrix Montanile
Photo credit: VIRGINIA MACDONALD
Beatrix Montanile is the Director of The Flying Yogi studio in Toronto. She has been a yoga practitioner for over 30 years and holds certifications in Ashtanga Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Thai Yoga Massage and Ayurvedic Massage.
She first discovered the benefits of integrating suspension into yoga practice through the use of ropes in India. How remarkable the practice made her spine feel became her inspiration to developing a methodology that would make suspending comfortable and accessible to anyone. In 2011, The Flying Yogi, a studio specializing in classes and teacher trainings in Suspension Yoga™ was born. Beatrix remains committed to improving people’s lives through Suspension Yoga™ one spine at a time. theflyingyogi.ca
Any exciting inventions in mind for 2018?
My brain is always imagining new movement possibilities for the suspension classes. I am creating a series of online classes as well as planning a special 5 minute full body work-out in video format using the YogiGym®. Eventually I think it would be really cool to be able to offer a Suspension Yoga™ Teacher Training online as well.
Most inspiring student story.. .
I had a student who was feeling very disempowered by her life circumstances and not seeing any possibilities available for her to be able to afford to complete her training and become a professional yoga instructor. We decided to create a structure together to set goals for what she wanted to accomplish, along with regular coaching calls. As soon as she did that, everything began to shift in her life! Family members became more supportive and friends offered to assist her financially so that she could complete her training. It was truly thrilling to observe the transformation in her as she began to step into her own power. I love witnessing such miracles.
What current yoga trends are baffling you?
Yoga has become so popular that the word has, in my opinion, become very misused and it seems like you can attach it to just about anything like drinking beer or smoking marijuana while practicing yoga. I have nothing against wanting to get intoxicated but there is something intrinsically off about that.
Also the over emphasis on physical appearances diminishes the true intention of yoga which quite simply is a system to restore peace and balance (sthira, sukham) to the body and more importantly the mind. When students enrol in my teacher trainings they are quite surprised to discover how deep and rich the philosophy of yoga truly is. They thought that it was only about getting the poses right.
The most important wisdom you wish to impart to aspiring yogis?
Take care of your body and use the practice to know and accept yourself …. what’s right for one person may not necessarily be right for you.
What inspires you?
What really inspires me is my 1 hr meditations when I first wake up in the mornings. It’s a ritual I cannot live without and my best ideas come to me during that time.
What is your favourite quote?
My most favourite quote, the one that has influenced me more than anything else I’ve read and that I love to share with my students is by a fellow German, philosopher and one of the world’s greatest thinker’s, Johann Wolfgang Goethe. It is rather lengthy but it can be condensed to the final 2 lines:
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
How do you aspire to influence your students’ lives, via your teaching?
I am strongly committed in supporting my students to achieve their goals and create the life of their dreams. I see Suspension Yoga as a powerful vehicle for that and for the community in general because it is so unique and makes yoga accessible for many bodies that may normally never attempt yoga otherwise.
If money was no object, what would you do differently with your teaching and why?
If money was no object all my classes would be free! Seriously, I have never used money as a reason for doing or not doing something. Sometimes there’s money and sometimes there’s not. It’s never really affected my choices one way or the other. I’m comfortable with what I have achieved so far with my life and for that I am extremely grateful.
The greatest lesson you’ve learned in the studio setting?
Running a studio is like being a mother – it’s a 24/7 commitment. My single most greatest lesson was when I discovered that I could not be effective by doing everything on my own. If it weren’t for the support of the wonderful team of teachers and students that surround me and contribute to The Flying Yogi studio, I would have burned out a long time ago. The other great lesson I learned is that all adversity can be transformed into opportunity.
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