Dynamic Duo

They promise to get your heart beating and your blood racing with yoga techniques that will help you breathe easy,soak in the fresh air and good health. Hilary Paris and Elsie Gonzalis came to India some summers back from the US to do volunteer work here,“fell in love with India and yoga’’ and never went back! Having started a youth group in Dharamshala which focused on community development,the two are now moving to Chandigarh to set up a yoga studio,having already started yoga classes in the city,catering to various age groups and sensibilities. Currently,their classes are on at the Golf Club,and they’re getting the feel and pulse of the place and people. Hilary,who’s spent much of her life in California has been practicing yoga for about six years and has studied various forms of yoga with internationally recognized teachers and is a certified yoga instructor. “For us,it’s not just about the right technique,but making the class fun,dynamic,engaging and incorporating meditation,breathing exercises,asanas and observing students’ positive physical,mental,and spiritual progression over time,’’ explains Hilary.

Elsie,who too has been learning and teaching yoga for years,talks how their classes move from gentle to dynamic,with the mellow flow yoga including pranayam,meditation and a slower,basic yoga,ideal for beginners and senior citizens. “Our dynamic flow yoga is terrific for all ages,shapes and sizes and gets you into the groove,for we move to the beats of Bollywood and Panjabi music hits and it’s topped with detailed instructions and lots of fun,’’ smiles Elsie,adding their Auntie and Uncle Classes stress on fitness for seniors. Change of techniques,asanas,instructions are vital with change of age group,stress the two,who are raring to change lives!

Taking the philosophy of sustainable and healthy living ahead,Elsie hopes to complement the classes with teaching people how to cook and eat healthy. “We want to break the myth that Indian food cannot be cooked healthy. A mix of local and indigenous food can work wonders and we want to source this food from organic farms and focus more on raw or lightly cooked food,as most people here are addicted to cooked food,’’ Elsie is trying out recipes and methods which would be healthy and appeal to all taste-buds too. “The idea is to live to lead healthy,active and full lives by laughing and letting your mind,body,and heart flow…Join in!