Better Health for Life

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Aleksandra HOrwood

Founder’s Story

My teaching constantly evolves. It changes because of the input and insights I gain from working with my students daily, and it continues to progress because of my own practice and study. In my own mind, I am a student of wellbeing sciences primarily.

When did it start? In 1991 there was a war in Croatia and I was a young student at the Journalism Department, University of Political Sciences in Zagreb. I wrote an article about the hospice and about the yoga practitioners volunteering there. Among the terrible crimes and suffering, overwhelming me and everyone else I knew, there was this calm and friendly group helping dying people. I was so completely convinced of their humanity, humility, and generosity that I started learning more about this ancient science and never stopped practicing yoga ever since.

After more than 25 years of teaching, I have created my own unique therapeutic approach. The way I teach is a crystallisation of all of my experience, study, and practice. I call it The Wellbeing Academy. Although my teaching is suitable for all ages, the central theme of my newly developed program is to embrace longevity and support healthy ageing. Yoga, for example, has been around for more than 4,000 years, which is proof that it works. But it works only if you teach people according to their bodies and their needs.

Mostly I focus on developing self-awareness and self-empowerment, with kind, non-judgemental mental attitude and on the maintenance of the proper alignment, stability, and mobility of the body, while emphasising the integration of the principles of wellbeing in everyday life. My instructions are tailored and modified to each student but they are based upon traditional asanas (poses), breathing methods, meditation and relaxation techniques as taught by BKS Iyengar and many other teachers.

May all beings be healthy and happy.

Testimonials

“It has been my pleasure to work with Aleksandra on numerous occasions in a variety of settings and to be able to recommend her wholeheartedly. Aleksandra has excellent people skills - warm, compassionate, attentive and responsive, she demonstrates the benefits of being an accomplished practitioner of yoga, mindfulness and meditation.”

DR. IAN GAWLER

“Aleksandra was my first yoga teacher. It was obvious she knew what she was teaching. I felt so well in my body after each session with her. She's thorough and patient. I'm still practising yoga today, thanks to Aleksandra's love for yoga and her ways of transmitting her knowledge of the practice.”

FLORENT PAILLOT

“I well remember lessons with Aleks in Germany. She did a lot for my posture and yes it was always motivational AND funny. You feel a competent and warm guidance. She is simply the best yoga instructor I ever had: very competent, compassionate, open-minded. She will give you advice you can feed on for the rest of your life....”

STEPHEN KREMP

“I loved doing yoga with Aleksandra, I really learned a lot about my body with her, she always helps to push the limits gently, safely but surely. She is incredibly observant and has the capacity to give personal attention even when she has quite a big group. And also she has a great energy and sense of humour that make her classes a very joyful moment!!!”

LARA PUGH

“Fabulous. If you are a beginner like myself and want to know what yoga is really about, Aleksandra will deliver.”

DAVID RYCROFT

“My teacher in France! Excellent teacher, very precise, very caring and looking after each person, adapting the exercises to your possibilities.”

MURIEL PETIT

“Aleksandra communicates her precise knowledge of yoga in a way that is clear, calm and tailored to the individuals in her class at the time. She has great sensitivity to the needs of her students, is an inspiring and professional teacher and her classes are an absolute pleasure.”

PALOMA SPARROW

“I was so happy in Aleksandra's yoga class. It was this perfect balance of being encouraged to go further while also having the time and space to go deeply into each posture and into 'being' in my body. Aleksandra always could tell what part of the posture needed adjusting and gave lots of personal guidance, and encouragement.”

RITA IVES

“Aleksandra is my favorite yoga instructor! Aleksandra has tons of knowledge, sensitivity and she is truly a very gifted and wonderful yoga instructor.”

LEA ORIANNE

“I want my yoga teacher back in Lodeve! Aleksandra takes you as she finds you: he doesn't expect an unfit 60 year old like myself to bend like a paper clip, or do impossible asanas. That said after a month I was doing head stands and feeling a lot healthier.”

JOSEPH MELLON