The Art of Balance: Alexia’s Approach to Yoga and Well-Being

Instagram @alexiaceyoga

Q: What inspired you to begin your journey into yoga and well-being?

As someone deeply fascinated by the art of movement as a form of expression and creativity, primarily through dance, yoga always intrigued me as a way to maintain flexibility, nurture my body, and complement my dance practice. When I transitioned out of school, dance became less accessible, and I grew curious about how yoga could support my physical needs. Initially, my yoga practice was purely physical, a way to stretch and help my body recover from more strenuous exercise. However, it wasn’t until I trained as a teacher that I realised how much yoga was already shaping my sense of purpose, mental health, and emotional balance.

Q: How do you define ‘balance’ in the context of yoga?

In the context of yoga, balance goes beyond physical postures; it’s a way of living. It’s about finding harmony between giving to ourselves and giving to others, resting the body while honouring discipline, and respecting mental health through routine while embracing spontaneity and playfulness. For me, balance means being honest with myself - listening to my body and mind's signals for rest and nourishment. The eight limbs of yoga offer guidance, and I strive to integrate them in a balanced way. This might mean stepping back from physical practice for a week to focus on pranayama (breath control) or dhyana (meditation). Having a history of pushing my body to its limits, I now prioritise nurturing ahimsa (loving-kindness), ensuring my thoughts, actions, and motivations are kind to both myself and others. As I transition from practicing yoga to teaching it, I’m learning the importance of self-care to fill my tank and show up as a teacher with the capacity to give fully.

Q: What are the core principles of your approach to yoga?

My physical practice centres around beginning and ending each session with moments of stillness and meditation. These check-ins allow me to tune into my body, noticing any signals I might overlook in daily life. A slow, steady warm-up is essential, helping myself and my students connect breath to movement through vinyasa early on. I use a structured yet creative class sequence, incorporating intuitive movement influenced by my dance background. This somatic exploration helps me process emotions, release unhelpful narratives, and feel fully embodied. I also prioritise a slow cool-down with backbends, inversions, and plenty of time for savasana to close the practice.

Q: How do you integrate mindfulness into your yoga practice?

Mindfulness is woven into my practice, starting with an awareness of breath at the beginning of class. I guide myself gently back to the present moment throughout the session by focusing on the sensations of my body and using my breath as an anchor. This approach fosters a sense of presence, compassion, and attentiveness.

Q: How does yoga contribute to both physical and mental well-being?

Yoga strengthens the body, enhances flexibility and range of motion, and improves balance. For instance, balancing poses help with physical stability, hip openers release emotional tension, backbends energise and open the heart space, and inversions improve circulation. The discipline of physical practice fosters a sense of achievement and purpose, which supports mental well-being. Incorporating mindfulness into yoga also helps regulate the nervous system, providing tools to manage everyday stress beyond the mat.

Q: How do you incorporate breathing techniques into your practice?

My breathing techniques vary depending on the type of yoga I’m practicing and what my body and mind need. At the start, I bring gentle awareness to my breath in a meditative way without trying to control it too much. During asana practice, I use vinyasa breathing - synchronising one movement with one breath, and redirect my attention to my breath if it wanders. For energy, I might use techniques like bhastrika or kapalabhati, particularly in the morning or during a strong flow. At the end of practice, I slow my breathing with methods like box breathing to relax my system before savasana.

Q: How do you maintain balance in your daily life outside of yoga?

Balance is a daily learning process. When I think I’ve found it, moments of burnout remind me to reassess. As a natural introvert, I need time alone to recharge, especially since teaching and being in the wellness space require sharing energy with others. Balance means blending teaching with my own self-care practices, ensuring I have enough rest and time disconnected from external influences. I aim to nurture my physical body by eating well but also embracing flexibility, finding peace with both nourishing and indulgent choices. The same applies to lifestyle: balance is working hard while also prioritising fun, like enjoying live music or dancing.

Q: How do you stay motivated to stay consistent while incorporating periods of rest?

Consistency is built through balance, and rest is a vital part of that equation. Rest doesn’t always mean stopping entirely; it can look like pausing dynamic movement for gentle stretching or restorative yoga. Mental rest is equally important, which might involve being mindful of what I consume - whether that’s social media, people’s energy, or my own self-talk. Taking breaks from social media is especially helpful when I feel mentally or emotionally drained, as it can be deceptively exhausting.

Q: What are some holistic wellness habits you swear by?

I rely on the basics: adequate sleep, nourishing meals, and hydration. My self-care rituals include journaling, singing, dancing, breath work, infrared saunas, sound baths, hot baths, acupuncture, skincare, cranial massages, and deep tissue or lymphatic drainage massages.

Q: How do you implement these habits into your everyday life?

Rest and nourishment are my foundation. I prioritise eight hours of quality sleep and ensure I eat three balanced meals daily, with snacks to sustain my energy. A nighttime skincare routine paired with journaling or reading helps me wind down after busy days. This foundation allows me to fully benefit from additional self-care rituals.

Q: Do you follow any specific rituals or routines to stay grounded?

I aim for slow morning and evening routines. In the morning, I might tidy my space, light a candle, play music, and take my time with skincare and breakfast. When mornings are rushed due to teaching, my evenings become my grounding time. A hot shower, restorative yoga, breathing techniques, and journaling my thoughts help me decompress and prepare for restful sleep.

Q: What simple daily practices that you recommend for cultivating balance?

Everyone’s path to balance is unique, so I recommend experimenting with curiosity. However, the essentials are: adequate rest, nourishing food, hydration, and reconnecting with your breath are universal. Taking a moment to pause, check in with yourself, and address your physical and mental needs can lead to the regulation and balance you’re seeking.