Maxi Meissner

Coming home from a long day working, pulled right into trampoline fun 🤩

Loved this week! It was busy tending to teaching, 1-on-1s, work projects and being there for family (sweet moments).

Some ❤️❤️ from this week:

❤️ Love when someone “does/nails” (for a lack of words - it’s been a long day…) their struggle pose for the very first time; when something like this happens I internally often sing one particular celebratory 80-ies song to acknowledge the process 🤘… but yea try to keep a straight face to not disturb the student😂. Guess which song in the comments ⬇️

❤️ Love when someone tells me that the back pain that messed with them before they started yoga, is gone

❤️ Love when students that I haven’t seen in years, knock on the door and return for their practice under guidance.

❤️ Love the insights and inspiration people receive from my 1-on-1 and Ayurveda Consultations

❤️ Love when people tell me they started to practice at home, even if it was just one sun salutation (that’s a practice!)

❤️ Love witnessing when more awareness on the mat seems to translate into more direction, clarity and agency off the mat

❤️ Love how we are such a diverse community in terms of backgrounds, bodies and ages

❤️ Love our practice space

❤️ Love our yoga community

❤️ … so much more

Fridays are long days for me. After teaching it’s full on work for my behind the scenes projects.

❤️ Came home late afternoon to what I love most. My family.

And yes, under the dress I’m still wearing the leggings I taught in this morning 💃🏼 😂🙏🏽 what can I say the colors match and it’s efficient 💯 (who’s with me here?)

Enjoy your weekend everyone and see you next week!
xx Maxi

Come join me for a deep exploration of back bending (build up to backbend and supplemental considerations / practices, moderations, backbends of the second series, how to approach drop-backs).

Furthermore we will explore how Ayurveda views the chest area and we will also discuss the dhatus (the seven tissue layers that nourishment has to pass through adequately to nourish us).

May 25, 9.00-16.00h

Suitable for all Ashtanga Practitioners.- https://mailchi.mp/24c542280336/ashtanga-yoga-workshop-groningen

Our monthly Led Primary is coming up on this Wednesday!

All practitioners of Ashtanga Mysore are welcome to join, regardless of how far you are in your practice.

In this led class you practice until where you usually practice in your Mysore practice and then perhaps try a few of the next poses and/or observe before we get to backbends together.

So much (!!) is learned by observing, really! And as always: It's not the goal to get anywhere and no-one is a better or worse yogi because they are / not doing full series - whether you practice full primary already just really doesn't matter. Just join with an open attitude.

The class is a great benefit to understand the energy of and harvest focus in the transitions between the state of an asana - this is often where we loose focus. How we get in and out of a situation is very important for the situation and what develops from there.

Moreover, I will give technical and verbal cues while all are moving together building up a strong, focused energy.

After class, you can stay for a yoga talk when Maxi talks about anything inspiring and relevant to our practice.

Led class: 7.00-8.30h
Talk: 8.30-9.00h

If you need to leave prior to 8.30h, you are welcome to join as well, just let me know prior to class that you have to leave earlier....

✅ You can join in person at the shala or online through zoom.

➡ Sign up through the Booking System here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

See you on Wednesday - or already tomorrow morning at practice 😍

🎙️ A new Bhumi Yoga Talk is out! Last Saturday we met for the 5th study of my 6 Months Ashtanga Yoga & Ayurveda Nourishment Program and a question came up that is relevant for all practicing Ashtanga yoga.

The question that was raised pertained to roadblocks coming up in practice. If roadblocks are normal and how to deal with them.

I really found this a great question and believe all of us practicing Ashtanga Yoga have experienced a roadblock at least once (but probably more). And I found it really valuable to include the discussion here for all of you, too.

Honestly, roadblocks can be challenging to navigate on and off the mat.
Our yoga practice equips us with the resources to deal with roadblocks more skilfully.

👋 Comment below if you find roadblocks are part of the practice process and if you have experienced them before ⬇️

➡And Listen to the spontaneous talk about roadblocks in practice here:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/njeBpb4KqJb

Enjoy, and let me know if you found the talk valuable!

xx, Maxi

It's the second of May, already!

Currently, many of you (I hope) are enjoying the May vacation.
May is also a month with a few holidays coming up - at least here in the Netherlands, while the weather is getting more and more agreeable (for me :)

Please read below about our special classes and extra offers this month!

🧘 Monthly Led Primary Series May 15
➡Join in our shala or online through zoom | 7.00-8.30am CEST
➡You can join even if you have to leave earlier, just let me know before we start
This class is not for complete beginners. If in doubt if you should join, please ask me.
✅Sign in through here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

🪷Chandra Krama (Moon Sequence) practice on new and full moon days this May:
Dates: 8 May, 23 May | 7.00-8.30am CEST
➡Join in our shala or online through zoom
➡You can join even if you have to leave earlier, just let me know before we start
➡Everyone can join
✅Sign in through here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

🧘‍♀️Ashtanga Workshops Days this year:
Dates: 25 May and 12 October (you can join both or either)
➡25 May: During this comprehensive workshop day we will deeply explore backbends (build up to, moderations, backbends of the second series, how to approach drop-backs) and the dhatus (the seven tissue layers that nourishment has to pass through adequately to nourish us). Suitable for all Ashtanga Practitioners.
✅ Sign in and read more here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/ashtanga-yoga-workshops-groningen/

🪷 Pranayama, Chandra Krama and Ayurveda Workshops at .emden in Emden (Germany):
➡June 1 & 2
✅ More info & sign in here: https://yogakula-emden.de/ashtanga-yoga-weekend-workshops/

Enjoy this beautiful month and see you soon,
xx Maxi

🎙️ A new episode of the Bhumi Yoga Talks is out!

In this episode of the Bhumi Yoga talks, I talk about the benefits of cultivating a meditative presence during our practice. And how this is different to cultivating an analytical approach in our yoga.

If our practice is heavily driven by a cognitive, analytical (asana fixation and perfection) approach, this can result in us spending a lot more effort in our practice and it can also create a sense of that we are lacking something, a sense of scarcity, and even burn out in yoga - as if our lives were not already filled with insecurity, overwhelm and analysis enough....

So here in this episode I talk about what it means to create a more meditative presence in our yoga.

Herein I talk about the principle of tristhana and how our practice (and life) can really benefit from this meditative presence towards practice even and especially when life is messy, chaotic and even when we just practice for 5 minutes.

➡Listen to this episode here:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/T5NswdXbfJb

Enjoy, I hope you find it valuable.
And drop a 👋 if you listen in.

****************

Ashtanga Workshop Days in Groningen this year:

Dates: 25 May and 12 October (you can join both or either)

25 May: During this comprehensive workshop day we will deeply explore backbends (build up to, moderations, backbends of the second series, how to approach drop-backs) and the dhatus (the seven tissue layers that nourishment has to pass through adequately to nourish us).

12 October: Harmonious Second Series for all. Suitable for all Ashtanga practitioners. This workshop entails an intro to intermediate series up to ardha matsyendrasana, with modifications for all poses in a safe way for everyone. Meant to facilitate a path for all students and levels of ability to intelligently get started with this series and if already practicing intermediate series gain valuable insights into this practice.

➡More info & sign up here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/ashtanga-yoga-workshops-groningen/

Join our Ashtanga Mysore Yoga classes in Groningen and start building a yoga practice that truly belongs to you, a practice that supports you throughout the chaos and seasons of life!

Practicing Ashtanga Mysore Yoga you will learn how to build, maintain and adjust your yoga so it can best support YOU while navigating the challenges and chaos of life.

You practice under 1-on-1 guidance of an experienced teacher (me 👋 ) in a supportive group setting, learning is step-by-step taking into consideration your capacity, needs, season and life situation, without any dogma or overwhelm. Your practice is uniquely yours.

At Bhumi Yoga, you will build up a yoga practice that:
• Gives you strength and peace in body and mind
• Empowers you
•You can do anywhere regardless if the teacher is present
•Goes beyond the surface - whether you can touch your toes or not (is not important)
•Cultivates agency
•Will support you through the chaos of life

Our students come from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds. Our youngest practitioner is 23 and our oldest 70 years young.

No one has an attitude, there is no hierarchy (beginners practice alongside seasoned practitioners), there is no pressure to achieve anything (although I cheer your big and small wins on and off the mat - including the softening in your jaw and self-talk).

Our students describe our practice atmosphere as safe, skilful, inspiring all while experiencing a sense of homecoming.

If you want to start with yoga or are curious if yoga is something for you, come join us!

Good to know:
•You don’t need to be flexible or strong to practice
•You don’t need to be a certain age to start
•You don’t need to wear fancy clothes (unless you want to)
•Anyone can practice.

We have been around for 14 years.
And we love welcoming beginners to our practice community!

📣For beginners we have a special one month Mysore trial but you can also join us with a drop-in class.

👋Questions? Don't hesitate to pm or email.

➡Read all about our Ashtanga Mysore Yoga classes here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/ashtanga-yoga-groningen/

See you soon!
Maxi

📣 One of my two Ashtanga Yoga Workshops for Ashtangis is coming up in Groningen soon, on May 25!

Come join me for a day aimed to support your Ashtanga Yoga practice, motivation, perspective and know-how, on and off your mat.

A study day with me is an opportunity to take space to nourish yourself and your practice. For some it is a deep dive into self-study. For others, it’s a time to gently unfold and soak up the nuggets of inspiration and the magic of the group energy.

One of the benefits of setting this time apart for your study, away from your regular routine, is that we have the possibility to have a fresh look onto what we are doing and why, from a more conscious place. This new found inspiration and perspective we can then integrate into our practice and our everyday lives.

➡ The workshop Day on May 25th is all about backbends:

During this comprehensive workshop day we will deeply explore backbends (build up to, moderations, including backbends of the second series, how to approach drop-backs) and the dhatus (the seven tissue layers that nourishment has to pass through adequately to nourish us).

✅ Suitable for all Ashtanga Practitioners.

➡ Good to know: The other Ashtanga Workshop Day this year in Groningen on 12 October is all about a harmonious intermediate series for all.

➡ Read more about these special workshop days with me in Groningen here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/ashtanga-yoga-workshops-groningen/

In case of any questions or doubts whether it's suitable for me, PM me or email to [email protected]

I am really looking forward to coming together for these special and inspirational workshop days sharing with community 💛

xx
Maxi

Tomorrow is the full moon in scorpio, at 7:48am CET 🌕

I'm by far no astrologer😁 ...so quoting here:

"This lunation brings an opportunity to delve into our internal gutters and compost anything that can be transformed. Because the Moon is in its fall in this sign, there’s an added intensity to this moment. But there’s more: This particular Full Moon is also square Pluto — the planet of power, mystery, and underworld journeys — which means it will cast its light beneath the surface and illuminate our personal depths. There may be creepy-crawly things down there, but there’s gold too..."

Sounds like a "fun" time, some may think now.

In any way, a potent time to take down the speed out of life for a moment to establish space for yourself.

In the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, there is no Mysore Yoga practice on days of full and new moon.

Instead join me for a rejuvenating and nourishing guided Moon Sequence (Chandra Krama) practice tomorrow. Suitable for all levels.

When:
•Tomorrow, Wednesday, 24 April
•7.00-8.30h CET

Where:
•At the yoga school
➡sign in here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/lesson/13608143/full-moon-pranayama-guided-moon-sequence-chandra-krama

•Or online from the comfort of your home
➡ sign in here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/lesson/14656389/online-pranayama-and-guided-moon-sequence-chandra-krama

xx
Maxi

PS: And... don't forget, the early bird rate for my September Ayurveda & Ashtanga Retreat is applicable only until Friday, 26 April! All levels of practitioners are welcome, including complete beginners.

🌑 New moon coming up on Monday, April 8

Traditionally, there is no Ashtanga Mysore Yoga practice on days of full and new moon. On these days, I'm offering the much loved Chandra Krama (Moon Sequence) and gentle pranayama. All can join.

Chandra Krama, or the Moon Sequence, is an alternative therapeutic Vinyasa Krama sequence accessible to students of all traditions, whether young or old. It invites the release of unnecessary tension while fostering a deeper connection of body, soul and mind. The practice encourages the practitioner to accept and honour what is instead of wanting to be or go somewhere, fostering a deep sense of peace.

All levels can join this practice.

When:
8 April, 7.00-8.30h CET

You can join at the yoga school or live-online from the comfort of your home.

✅ Save your space here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

See you Monday!

Do you have a demanding life, juggling a myriad of roles at the same time? Perhaps you are managing a bustling household and /or an ambitious career, striving for success? But you also feel like there is a catch.

You sometimes feel like drowning in the relentless demands of your career and personal life, striving for excellence while balancing so much on your plate.

You often push over the experience of overwhelm and stress with another coffee or cookie to make it through the day, maybe you frequently engage in high intensity exercise to numb yourself or you regularly find yourself binge-watching on netflix at the end of a demanding day, and sometimes you feel it’s all too much?

If you recognise yourself in the above, then join me for my upcoming three week live- online immersive workshop series called Reset Yourself.

This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to effectively implement key practices to help you break free from the shackles of stress and overwhelm and restore inner balance. (For more info about the content see slide 6.)

➡We meet three consecutive Mondays starting April 8, at 19.30-21.30h CET, live online over zoom.
If you can’t attend the live meetings, recordings are available, too.

➡Learn more about this program, Maxi (your teacher) and sign up here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/reset-yourself-program-restorative-yoga-pranayama/

Looking forward to support you relieve your stress with this program!
Maxi

🎙A new episode of the Bhumi Yoga Talks is here.

In this talk I share a little bit about what it’s like to go and practice in Mysore. Many of you have asked me about this, so I decided to talk a little about it.

In this new episode of the Bhumi Yoga talks, I share a little bit about:

•The shala in Mysore (Sharath Yoga Centre)
•The process of applying for a spot at the shala
•That you can now get a great cappuccino in Gokulam in various places.
•Why it is so special to practice in Mysore with Sharath
•That going to Mysore comes with compromises (family, finances, time...).

In the end I also share a little bit of my personal experience and a little of what I uncovered within myself during my last trip.

While listening to this talk please bear in mind that this talk was recorded right after I taught our full primary series today... after teaching a full primary I am not all that "fresh: anymore :)

Also keep in mind that we had about 20 minutes for this talk before we had to clear the room as the next class was going to set up soon...

There is a lot more that can be said about going to Mysore than what is said in this talk...

Even though so much more could be said about going to Mysore, and I will probably do that at some point in the future, I still wanted to share this talk as I feel it can be insightful to some of you.

Listen to this talk here:
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zQSBvjVypIb

Enjoy!

See you back at practice tomorrow!
xx, Maxi

🎙️A new episode of the Bhumi Yoga Talks is out! - About practicing in Mysore India and being there. As many of you had asked...here is a little bit about Mysore! https://mailchi.mp/e8e337e34bab/new-podcast-episode

Do you want to start building a practice routine that not only empowers you, giving you strength and peace in body and mind but a practice that also truely belongs to you?

Join us for an immersive workshop designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to start building a yoga practice that truly belongs to you.

Building a yoga practice is very different than attending a once a week class where someone else leads you. The once a week class where someone else leads you is great but lacks the deep benefits a practice can give you.

A practice is something you cultivate and take responsibility for. It’s not something you consume.

In our yoga tradition you learn how to build, maintain and adjust your yoga so it can best support you while navigating the challenges and chaos of life.

You practice under 1-on-1 guidance of an experienced teacher in a group, learning is step-by-step according to your capacity, needs and life situation - without dogma or overwhelm.

Join this workshop and start to build your yoga practice:
👉🏼Sunday 14/4
👉🏼13.00-15.00h
👉🏼at our yoga school in Groningen

👉🏼Tuition: €45
As a bonus, participants can take advantage of a special offer and purchase a 25% discounted 1-month Mysore Yoga Trial pass upon completing the workshop.

✅View all the details and sign here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/event/469b9e53-140b-4e5b-93b1-8a80c98dc501

👣✨Limited spaces available.

If you're unsure if this workshop is for you, pm me and I help you figure it out.

What our students say about practicing with us:

"I am so thankful to have found such a wonderful place to practice. Maxi is an excellent teacher who supports my practice with love and kindness. Any level of student will feel welcomed to Bhumi Yoga and I would highly recommend attending class." Abra

Good to know: You don't have to join this workshop to join our weekday morning Ashtanga Mysore Yoga classes. There is absolutely nothing you need to know or be able to do prior to joining class.

See you soon!
xx Maxi

Our monthly Led Primary is coming up on Good Friday - what a better way to start the Easter weekend 🐣

All practitioners of Ashtanga Mysore are welcome to join, regardless of how far you are in your practice.

In this led class you practice until where you usually practice in your Mysore practice and then perhaps try a few of the next poses and/or observe before we get to backbends together.

So much (!!) is learned by observing, really! And as always: It's not the goal to get anywhere and no-one is a better or worse yogi because they are / not doing full series - whether you practice full primary already just really doesn't matter. Just join with an open attitude.

The class is a great benefit to understand the energy of and harvest focus in the transitions between the state of an asana - this is often where we loose focus. How we get in and out of a situation is very important for the situation and what develops from there.

Moreover, I will give technical and verbal cues while all are moving together building up a strong, focused energy.

After class, you can stay for a yoga talk when Maxi talks about anything inspiring and relevant to our practice.

Led class: 7.00-8.30h
Talk: 8.30-9.00h

If you need to leave prior to 8.30h, you are welcome to join as well, just let me know prior to class that you have to leave earlier....

✅ You can join in person at the shala or online through zoom.

➡ Sign up here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

See you Friday, the latest!

Do you have a demanding life, juggling a myriad of roles at the same time? Perhaps you are managing a bustling household and /or an ambitious career, striving for success? But you also feel like there is a catch.

You sometimes feel like drowning in the relentless demands of your career and personal life, striving for excellence while balancing so much on your plate.

You often push over the experience of overwhelm and stress with another coffee or cookie to make it through the day, maybe you frequently engage in high intensity exercise to numb yourself or you frequenlty find yourself endlessly binge-watching on netflix at the end of a demanding day, and sometimes you feel it's all too much?

I know what that's like. Many years ago, I used to push my body and my mind over their limit, feeling like I was stuck in a perpetual hamster wheel of overwhelm. And I wondered if there would ever be another way to experience life. Then I experienced the effectiveness of Restorative Yoga and balancing gentle pranayama (breath work), which have become my go-to practice to relieve stress and overwhelm.

If you recognise yourself in the above, then join me for my upcoming three week Reset Yourself immersive workshop series.

This three week live-online workshop series is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to utilise simple yet powerful somatic practices based on Restorative Yoga and nervous system balancing breath work to help restore inner balance and harmony while also helping you to experience a sense of inner safety and true rest.

✅We meet three consecutive Monday starting April 8, 19.30-21.30h CET.
✅If you can't attend the live meetings, recordings are available, too.

➡️Read all about this program and sign in here:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/reset-yourself-program-restorative-yoga-pranayama/

Break free from the shackles of stress and overwhelm.

Maxi

PS: Yes, please share!

🌝 It's the full moon on Monday, March 25.

Traditionally, there is no Ashtanga Mysore Yoga practice on days of full and new moon. On these days, I'm offering the much loved Chandra Krama (Moon Sequence) and gentle pranayama. All can join.

Chandra Krama, or the Moon Sequence, is an alternative therapeutic Vinyasa Krama sequence accessible to students of all traditions, whether young or old. It invites the release of unnecessary tension while fostering a deeper connection of body, soul and mind. The practice encourages the practitioner to accept and honour what is instead of wanting to be or go somewhere, fostering a deep sense of peace.

Practicing Chandra Krama helps you to let go, of holding on the plan, of attaching to what does not serve you and instead moves you towards taking joy in what is, on and off the mat. This awareness will also tickle into your Ashtanga Mysore practice and this practice is a beautiful alternative sequence for Mysore practitioners.

Chandra Krama begins as a gentle vinyasa flow, moving slowly deeper while bringing continuous awareness to the breath and inner sensations, relaxing and soothing the nervous system. This practice finishes with a series of nurturing restorative poses. You will leave the practice of Chandra Krama feeling deeply nourished in your physical, mental and energetic body.

Chandra Krama was developed by Matthew Sweeney. Maxi is one of the two teachers in the Netherlands authorized by Matthew to teach this practice.

All levels can join this practice.

You can join at the yoga school or live-online from the comfort of your home.

✅ Save your space here:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/schedule

See you Monday!

Spring Greetings and Events

- https://mailchi.mp/8ef25d1bc6e5/spring-greetings

📣 1 last minute spot for my 4 Day Ashtanga Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat retreat (€80 discount). Starts Thursday 14 March, 4pm - https://mailchi.mp/3ea4c30de5ec/one-spot

We just returned from India yesterday. We may still need a little time to "land" and adjust. But it's been great to have our family reunited. Jonah is very happy to be with his dad again (me, too), for me it's weird and also amazing to have support in parenting again.

Moreover, the air is clean (awwww!!) and fresh and it feels like spring time: Light greens appearing where there was no green for a few months and spring flowers coming out. A new season coming alive.

🌱

In a way it feels like this for me, too. I return back home but some things within have changed and I feel this is a new beginning within my daily realm.

And I am just happy to be back to teaching being back in our shala with our amazing community of practitioners. in our shala on Monday March 4th.

Our shala and my work assisting you is very dear to me. I missed our shala and seeing you and can't wait to sharing my "refilled" inspiration and insights with you at the shala.

See you very soon 🤩

Upcoming opportunities to study with me:

🧘🏽Daily weekday Ashtanga Mysore Yoga in Groningen and online
Read more & sign up:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/all-levels-ashtanga-vinyasa-mysore-program-in-groningen/

🧘🏼‍♀️14-17 March: 4 Days Ashtanga Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat in Twente, NL - 1 sport left
Read more & sign up:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/ashtanga-yoga-and-ayurveda-retreat-netherlands/

🧘🏽‍♂️3 week Reset Yourself Program (online), starts 8 April. For everyone who easily gets overwhelmed, exhausted and stressed and wants to have the tools to feel balanced and nourished from within.
Read more & sign up:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/event/8d0de2e7-2c9b-46ce-966d-f01dcc5012a1

🧘🏽‍♀️Intro to Ashtanga Yoga - An Immersive Workshop for Beginners 14/4
Read more & sign up:
https://www.momoyoga.com/bhumiyoga/event/469b9e53-140b-4e5b-93b1-8a80c98dc501

🧘🏼2024 Ashtanga Inspiration Days for Practitioners: 25/5 and 12/10
Read more & sign up:
https://bhumiyoga.nl/yoga-agenda/ashtanga-yoga-workshops-for-practitioners-in-groningen/

photo credits: .yogic.photos