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Joakim
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Joakim Olin began his study of yoga, pranayama and meditation in his native Sweden back in 2000. He studied Sivananda style hatha yoga and received his teaching certificate after an intense residential study programme at the Sivananda ashram in upstate New York. Years later he would find himself living and teaching ashtanga, hatha, power vinyasa flow and kundalini yoga in New York City. It was also here that he was blessed with meeting the great Sri Dharma Mittra and his disciple Andrei Ram. The very moment he walked into Dharma's centre - more often called his temple - he was taken by the love, the vibrant and uplifting energy, as well as its soothing effect that was so strong there. As he started studying with Dharma and Andrei he was totally taken to another dimension, on all levels. This was something completely different, so much deeper and more profound then he had ever experienced before. Their honesty, dedication, devotion, happiness, playfulness, encouragement, creativity, warmth, compassion, their love for yoga and passion for sharing it, their brightness and Divine Light was something that touched Joakim deeply and will always do so. If he can pass on just a small portion of all that he has received from his masters, he is more than happy.
Joakim is also a certified teacher of kundalini yoga and meditation, and was personally mentored by Bhai Himat Singh, a direct holder of the lineage. Like his masters, Joakim´s teaching style is characterised by creativity, curiosity, encouragement, joy, dedication, devotion, compassion, playfulness and warmth. He sees his teaching as an extension of his own practice and feels very blessed to be able to pass this ancient practice to his students, thus giving back to the source and also having a job that he loves so much. He is thankful for everything he has learned - and will learn - from teachers and students alike. Before yoga came into his life and became his first love, Joakim was an elite European style handball goalkeeper, a long-distance runner and an acclaimed indoor cycling instructor. He was a school teacher for 14 years and sees as his Dharma to share his knowledge and experience. His second love is music and he was formerly a house DJ.
"One of the many gifts of being a yoga teacher is seeing students develop through the practice of yoga - physically, mentally and emotionally, both on and off the mat. See how they keep coming back to the mat for the love of yoga but after some time also to see their friends they have made in yoga classes. When people come together like this for a great purpose, get to have fun together and grow as individuals on so many levels, that's true yoga. What more can we ask for?"
View this week's schedule for Joakim at:
The Centrium
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Joakim's Books
| Light on Yoga
B.K.S. Iyengar
A book that will keep you busy for the next couple of lives... Excellent source of knowledge, especially when it comes to asanas.
| The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga
Swami Vishnu-devananda
Lives up to its name and is covering all the aspects of yoga, including powerful yogic philosophy.
| The Ten Light Bodies of Consciousness
Nirvair Singh Khalsa
Nirvair shares his experiences on the yogic path - which is challenging at times, but always rewarding. The book is about Kundalini yoga, but has a lot to offer for all yogis and yoginis out there, especially if you're into meditation. Personal, inspiring, informative and truly a delight to read!
| Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual
David Swenson
As for me this is THE Ashtanga Yoga book. Detailed pictures, well written, carries a lot of tips and also modified poses. He breaks everything down so clearly and his piece about ashtanga yoga - the eight limbs of yoga that is - is excellent.
| The Right Mountain
Jim Hayhurst, Sr
Jim redifines what matters in life and what success really is, when he's trying to climb Mount Everest. Thanks to all the challenges he's facing he can pass on great and inspiring wisdom about life. For me this is a great analogy of what we all can learn from life if we're just open for it; be it climbing that mountain or practicing on the yoga mat.
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Joakim's Tips
| Remember being a kid and wanting to learn new things? How did you do this? I hear you all saying: "I did it until I succeeded." Yes, you all did and all kids still do. So get into that little kid's head again and keep trying, allow yourself to fall out of the pose if you don't get it the first couple of times. Be curious, creative and playful. Let the asanas be a toy that totally occupies your mind, keeps you present and happy!
| The importance of the breath can never ever be over-emphasized. Life begins with a breath and so does each and every pose. Use the inhalation to expand and create new space, and the exhalation to move into that space. Allow the breath to mould the pose. Listen to your breath and never go deeper into a pose than you can breathe in a relaxed manner. The quality of the breath is more important than how well the pose is done. Let the breath energize your body, mind, soul and spirit. Inhale new life, exhale and let go...
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