I’m so excited to share today an interview with a divine yogi who is very close to my heart. Adriana Cortazzo is a shining example of how a lifelong yoga practice can open your spirit and move you closer to your intuition. My own journey in yoga has been influenced by the many years I spent with Adriana as my teacher. I can honestly say that her inspiration continues to impact on how I practice and how I teach today.
Adriana is running two very special retreats in the coming weeks and months. A week long yoga retreat in Fiji in August and a One-Day Yoga Adventure in the Royal National Park in Sydney on Sunday 25 May.
I had the chance to speak to Adriana about these retreats and more.You’ll also find some great insight and inspiration whether you are a beginner or more experienced yogi. This profile is the first of a series of profiles on powerful women here on the blog. Adriana is joined by two amazing women on the One-Day Yoga Adventure at Burning Palms in the Royal National Park – herbal genius and founder of ‘liquid consciousness’ Sophia Martha and health warrior Poppy Manoussakis. I’m thrilled to be able to speak to them and share their experiences here on the Sundara blog with you over the coming days.
Sandra: It’s obvious yoga is a large part of your life. Can you share how specifically yoga impacts your day to day life?
Adriana: Yoga is part of my life everyday, as it has been now for nearly 30 years. The asanas help me to create space and support my day-to-day living. I have to meditate, even just five minutes.I bring my breath into focus, settle my mind into the moment and it helps me to simplify my life. Just taking the simple techniques of moving, breathing, sitting, being silent. These elements of Asana, Pranayama, Dhyana are my practice daily.
S: You say you are an intuitive yoga teacher, can you elaborate on that?
A: I have completed three formal teacher training programs and I’ve learned three different systems of yoga thought. Within that 30 year span I’ve spent time sitting in silence and have listened to my inner voice speaking. This I have done in solitude as well as part of a circle, as part of my mediumship training, therefore I’ve been tuning my connection to spirit and making sense of how to work with my gut feelings (intuition). When a student comes to class, I tune into them, using my knowledge from my experience in yoga and as well as understanding how to decode my intuition/psychic eye. It starts off with a general feeling then as I focus more I get more info on how to proceed with the class. The aim is always the same: To uplift and elevate… to support and respect!
I’ve had great confirmation from my students, teaching in this way.
S: It must be liberating to teach in that way.
A: It is liberating and it is scary too. I don’t know straight away what will be the contents of a class I am teaching. I am led by whomever is in front of me and suddenly a word will spring to mind. Or it might take off from something someone has said.
Recently I’ve gone back to teaching a bit of Ashtanga, and I’ve enjoyed teaching it, and I’ve enjoyed a break from it. The practice was there when I needed to be in a practice that was very formulaic and in no need to think too much. It worked for me because my work and my personal life was so busy, then when I stopped working, I had time to explore different aspects of myself and different styles. To practice something that is a system, it is very secure. To maintain a regime can work very well when time is limited both mentally and physically. However, it’s fun and creative to break free from a routine. I guess the point for me is that it’s more important to listen to what your soul yearns for… everything is about supporting and respecting where we’re at a any given time. Then the possibility of reaching Bliss becomes that much closer.
With Winter approaching, routine is very stabilising. No matter how rattling the weather the ‘routine’ practice is comforting. Give meditation a go through this time. Spring and Summer is about new growth and glorious sunshine. These are the times for exploring and being more playful with your practice. Try taking it outside and shape your practice according to how nature is stirring. I was doing a balancing pose, reaching my arms upward and I had two birds try and swoop me off balance… the winged ones have a wicked sense of humour!
S: How has your yoga practice evolved over the years from being a beginner, to a teacher to someone who has practiced for a significant period of time?
A: It’s been about how to incorporate a discipline into my life and lifestyle. My life journey has been what has directed me as a teacher. Having children, or going through crisis and having injury. Working through limitations has helped me as a student, to pull back and not to be ambitious. And as a teacher, it has opened my heart to compassion.
S: Tell me about your upcoming one day retreat? What can people expect?
A: The One-day retreat is really exciting. I’ve called it a “Yoga Adventure” because it will be an adventure. We will meet at the top of the mountain. I’ve been guided as to why I’m meeting everyone there. This part of the forest is so magical every time I’ve visited this area my insight has been ripped apart with magic. It is filled with history and you can just feel the ancestors alive there. The adventure is we meet at the mountain and we start with the Yoga Sutras as we journey down the mountain. For a beginner or for a more experienced practitioner, they will experience a journey going down the mountain with this philosophy as the backdrop. The energy of the area will be what guides us in our meditation. This gentle acknowledgement through the Yoga Sutras will bring awareness of the philosophy behind the yoga.
At the yoga room, we will be met by, Sophia Martha, a Shaman who has done much work in Peru and has worked with herself for a long time. She is truly an open spirit. She will open and close the day for us.
After the opening will be a 2 hr practice followed by a break for lunch.
In the afternoon I have a truly exciting guest that will blow your mind with her extensive knowledge on health and healing. Poppy is what I would term a ‘ health warrior’. Powered by her own miracle healing stories of curing her self from blindness and paralysis. She has researched and studied many health modalities, including homeopathy and nutrition, driven by her two children, one who is autistic. She constantly inspires and excites me, she has knowledge and information on so many subjects. She will really inspire people in their every day lives and give them something tangible to take home, whether it is about your pantry or your beauty regime it’ll be 100% natural.
Following the talk, there will be more yoga… exploring our inward landscape!
We will then make our journey back up the mountain, usually floating by this stage.
S: You were in Fiji last year and are leading a retreat there again this year. Can you tell me more about what people can expect from that sort of immersion in yoga?
A: Always relaxing to be in retreat situation for the 5-6 days we are there. Even though we are in the resort style of living we get the opportunity to be absorbed in the yoga bubble. The yoga room is probably the most stunning I’ve ever had the privilege of being in. It overlooks the ocean with one of those 180 degree views. It’s really more of a platform with no doors or windows. wow!! In this environment big shifts can be made on personal levels. Practicing yoga two times a day is enough to get things moving in your physical, mental and spiritual state. Being around your teacher for that length of time is nutrition in itself. Being on holidays means we can be more luxurious with our practice and relaxed with our timeframe. Time to go deep!
Even though it is a retreat, I will still work with people at an intuitive level and what unfolds all depends on who will be there.
It is ultimately about lifting the vibration. When a person presents before me, it’s about honouring where they have come from and gently empowering them to grasp BLISS. It’s about opening up to the greater source and ‘ feeling’, ’touching’ and experiencing a positive state of being. The retreat environment means we get to do it over and over again in an intense period time so that it’s more deeply felt. Everyone should experience a yoga retreat at least once in their lifetime… super healing!
S: What advice would you give people starting out with their practice?
A: 5000 years have gone before you, it’s a tried, tested and researched powerful practice. Immerse yourself in it and receive all the blessings and healing that are 5000 years lived!
Email Adriana for all bookings and enquiries:
adriana@sunmoonyoga.com.au
One-Day Yoga Adventure at Burning Palms Royal National Park
Sunday 25 May 2014
$245 / 210 Concession
Yoga in Fiji at Daku Resort
2-9 August 2014
Sundara Yoga 