Teacher Spotlight: Miriam Indries

Posted in greece |
Teacher Spotlight: Miriam Indries

Meet Miriam, a dedicated yoga teacher trainer whose journey began through Ayurveda in her early 20s. Deeply inspired by yoga philosophy, she transitioned from student to teacher with a focus on mindful, intuitive teaching. Specializing in Vinyasa (although trained in other styles of yoga practices also), Miriam emphasizes balance, breath, and the harmony of strength and flexibility, guiding students on a journey of self-discovery both on and off the mat. Currently, she leads yoga teacher trainings in Greece, where she combines traditional wisdom with modern approaches, creating a transformative experience for those seeking to deepen their practice and understanding of yoga.

How did you find yoga and what was your path from student to teacher? 

My journey and love for yoga began when I did my Ayurveda Practitioner (sister science of yoga) training in my early 20’s. I had an incredible Ayurveda professor who was very focused on the philosophy aspect, and with him I studied some Samkya and yoga philosophy. And I haven’t really stopped studying these and other related philosophies since. The philosophy of yoga is what helped me understand what yoga is, how to approach it and establish my practice truthfully, with more insight and depth. It gave roots to my asana practice and changed it from having a more external approach, to an internal focus. I was practicing asana and pranayama at the time, although yoga gives us many different tools/practices which I further learned about and started practicing as the years went by. Later on, I decided to do my first YTT and start teaching. And now, I am a yoga teacher trainer. You just have to be open to let yoga in when it comes. It will always bring us into light/some sort of discovery.

What’s your approach/philosophy to your teaching? 

For me, it is an honour to be a teacher. It’s a gift to have the opportunity to share the wisdom and philosophy of yoga, a holistic science that has roots for over 5000 years and which was not so easily accessible then. Nowadays we are blessed to have all these practices available to us and this incredible knowledge but this wasn’t always so. In terms of my teaching philosophy, for me it is always about having a personal practice first. Without this, how can we teach and understand what we teach? Being a teacher, in my opinion, comes with great responsibility. Therefore, we need to first look after ourselves and practice; then, we can help our students grow in their yoga journey. Not only to practice asana, but also to try to apply, in our life as best as we can, the yamas, niyamas, and parts of yoga philosophy that give us the inspiration and knowledge to live these teachings. We are always students of yoga and life first, and this remains throughout the teaching journey. The other important aspect for me is to focus on the students when I teach. From the moment I walk into the class/shala, the focus is on the students’ yoga journey. I rarely plan my classes because I teach intuitively based on what I feel the vibe is/what they need. This applies to my life philosophy, follow my inner guidance/intuition through the journey and flow of life. My teaching philosophy is simple: share the good energy and wisdom of yoga in a clear, knowledgeable, truthful and caring way. 

What inspired you to specialize in Vinyasa, and how did you first encounter this practice?

I have been/still do practice a more traditional Hatha Yoga based practice and the Ashtanga Vinyasa method for years. I’ve been blessed to have amazing teachers who are very knowledgeable and established in their own practice and teaching and who have contributed to my yoga journey to understand the practice and be consistent in it. So when I started teaching, I knew what was really important to share in regards to the practice. I teach and have been trained to teach different styles/types of asana practice, but usually a mix of Hatha and Vinyasa are there. I do generally teach a more dynamic style practice. 

For those new to the practice, could you explain what Vinyasa is and what distinguishes it from other yoga styles?

Vinyasa has this incredible rhythm that can just empower us to feel so strong, flexible and open. 

For me, Vinyasa is a combination of aspects that come together in the asana practice. These are the harmony between the movement/postures and the breath flow and the harmony of the mind, body and breath in a synchronized way. So in a way, all asana practice for me has a component of Vinyasa (except for Yin and Restorative of course which are more complimentary practices). What we know today as Vinyasa is quite similar but perhaps at a more rhythmic, faster pace. I think this depends on the teacher and their way of sharing this harmony of the movement and breath through the practice. In the Vinyasa classes I teach, I usually don’t rush through the postures too fast but without making it a traditional style Hatha practice (which generally focuses on a lot more steadiness in the asanas). I usually give the students some time and space to understand the flow by being present with each asana and their breath. This cannot be done if we move too fast, we need to breathe and to feel, to be present with each asana, to understand what happens within each posture not only physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This also takes it away from that approach of it being like a  “workout”, because although it is a physical practice/the body is very active, the more important part is how we breathe, feel, alignment of the body and the awareness we have in the practice. 

Indeed the Vinyasa practice is both empowering and strong. It helps us to create the heat in the body which is needed not only to sweat out the toxins and excess energy from the body/mind but also to develop the mental and physical stamina, flexibility and strength. These are really important in any yogic practice and in life, which later on can help us towards developing spiritual strength. Flexibility and strength (both physically and mentally) in my opinion always go together and they sort of help each other. In a way, we need to be strong in order to become flexible and we also need the flexibility to create the strength. As yoga philosophy teaches us, there must always be a balance between the dual aspects of energy within all, which in yoga we know of Ida & Pingala. The feminine energy and masculine energy channels, which we can also understand as flexibility (feminine) and strength (masculine). This is my view on it :) 

What are some key principles or foundational aspects of Vinyasa that practitioners should know?

The breath is the most important aspect of our practice and of life. It is through the breath itself that the movement of life happens. In every inhalation, we expand, receive, we are renewed in a way. And with every exhalation we let go, we empty, we release/surrender. So in the Vinyasa practice it is the same. We move in the posture with the inhalation, experience it fully and surrender in then let go of the posture with exhalation (not always or as a general rule, but usually it sort of happens like this naturally). As mentioned previously, in the Vinyasa classes I teach, we stay a little bit in the asana, so after 2-3 breaths we explore a new asana, a new experience, a new way of being. It’s all about the breathing in Vinyasa and any yoga practice in general. Focus on making the breath long, strong and fluid. 

Another key aspect I would say to learn is to know the asana (how to do it) and focus on body alignment. This is not about reaching perfection at all, but about creating a more balanced experience for the body. Anatomically, there is a natural physical body alignment. If we look for example at the natural, everyday standing posture, (in Hatha yoga known as Tadasana) there is a reason the spine is upright, the hips/pelvis aligned, shoulders slightly back and down, body weight evenly on both feet etc. This is so all internal and external physiology of the body are in harmony/functionally and structurally. So the same goes for each asana. It’s important (in my opinion) to also use support when needed, from yoga props. They are such a gift to the practice. Never force anything in the practice, it is not wise nor necessary. The same principle can be applied in life.

Can you describe a typical Vinyasa practice, including the structure, sequencing, and focus areas?

I think it depends on the teacher and how they give shape, flow and life to their sequences/classes. For me, it is all about starting from grounding, building a solid foundation, then moving in harmony. First preparing for the practice with focus on the breath, centering ourselves, setting our intention and then moving onto joint mobilisation/gentle warm up of the joints. It’s really important that we don’t rush the practice and prepare our body/mind well before. I usually start with lots of Surya Namaskar (sun salutations). This prepares the body and mind for the practice. Heat is developed, mental focus, stretch and strength/preparation of the body to practice etc. Then we begin to explore the asanas - creating a solid foundation in the practice, balance and stability, grounding etc (standing asanas) and then moving systematically. 

How do you encourage students to embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth that Vinyasa offers?

Through consistency and devotion to the practice. Yoga practice whether it is asana, meditation, pranayama, japa etc require consistency, devotion, commitment, discipline. So it is helpful to be honest with one self and decide how much commitment one gives to their practice. Establish the days and time of the practice and stick with it. In my opinion, our role as teachers is to guide our students, but the true teachings—the treasures of yoga—can only surface through direct experience and practice. Vinyasa teaches us the importance of flow, of moving systematically so that everything comes together in harmony. I believe that if we can learn to do this in our practice, we can extend it into our everyday lives. Movement, flow, expansion, stamina, strength, flexibility, harmony, patience, and mental focus are all aspects of both the practice and life itself. That’s why I always teach my students that yoga is the inspiration, but life is the true practice.

How can the principles and teachings of Vinyasa extend beyond the yoga mat and into everyday life?

There are so many principles and aspects the practice gives us to take into our life. Some key ones would be to try and be mindful, present with each moment and move in a synchronised flow with life. Life is a flow of energy, it is constant movement, change etc. We need to be open to change, to find our rhythm in every situation, to breathe through every move/change/experience and just know that it is there (like our practice) to help us grow. So to have this harmony in life strength and flexibility, being steady and focused but also adaptable and open to life. Because so many aspects of life come in every moment, some we may be welcoming towards, and others we might resist. But if we can realise that everything just flows, comes and goes then we can learn to somehow adapt and grow as much as we can. 

For readers interested in delving deeper into the practice of Vinyasa, what advice or resources would you recommend to them?

Find a teacher who inspires you not only to grow in your practice, but in your life. I was super blessed to have found my main teacher early on in my yoga journey, who continues to be my teacher so many years later. But sometimes, it can take a while until we find a teacher that we stay with. I think we can learn from every teacher, so you can try different classes to see what is best suited for you, your character, needs and overall vibe. Because our teacher is an important part of our yoga journey. From our teachers we learn the correct way to practice asana, pranayama, what yoga is and so much more. 

It’s important to know that not everyday we are motivated or inspired, some days might feel more tired or uninspired. Of course there are days when we might not feel like practicing, and this is ok. On such days, take it slow. Sometimes we need to take a break and just do other practice, maybe just sit in silence, do some Yoga Nidra, mantra or just do a gentle practice. Honour that, explore your practice patiently. Because it is always there for us. The mat always welcomes us with love and acceptance, however we may feel that day. Make that space your space, your calm and serene space where you feel loved, accepted and at peace.

What advice would you give to someone new to Vinyasa yoga or those considering starting their practice?

To find a good teacher from whom they can learn from. It’s really important (in my opinion) especially at the beginning of the yoga asana journey, to make sure that one learns the asanas, pranayama etc correctly from a skilled/qualified yoga teacher. Because alignment, drishti, breath are so important and if you start with right knowledge then the journey unfolds in a more smooth and safer way as well for the body and mind. And most importantly to keep consistent, patient and focused on the practice. Because in my opinion, this is a lifelong practice. It will change throughout the years because the body and its abilities change, but practice remains. Usually at the beginning of the asana journey, the focus is on the postures and attempting to do them all. But keeping consistent in the practice and doing it mindfully, at some point there is a shift from the desire to just do an asana to be with the asana, to explore it not only for its external (physical) benefits but also internally (emotionally, mentally and spiritually). Along the course of the asana journey, there will be so many changes. If we keep consistent, the practice gives us so much more than just physical benefits. It really is a gift, and it needs time, patience, consistency, willingness to learn and love for the practice. I mention love for the practice because in my opinion, because it is a lifelong practice, we need to develop that connection with it. If the joy for the practice is there, then we appreciate it so much more and we approach it in a more natural and open way. We are enthusiastic to step on the mat because we know it is a time of learning, of growing, of experiencing ourselves (in all aspects) physically, mentally, emotionally and with time spiritually. I also think it’s really important not to compare your asana journey and your abilities in your practice with others. Because although these days it is done collectively in a group/class, yoga is a personal journey of discovering, understanding and knowing the Self. So sharing the practice with others is beautiful because it establishes and focuses on the connection we have with all and everything in this life, but do it with awareness, introspection and love.

What are your go-to Manduka product choices for your practice? 

I have two mats that I practice on depending on the style of practice. I usually practice Yin, restorative and more gentle practices on my Manduka x Van Gogh collection mat. It’s quite thick so it feels supportive, cushiony and steady. I feel really connected to it actually. And I practice my daily standard Hatha or Vinyasa on my GRP Adapt mat which is perfect for the more heating/sweaty practices because it has such a great sticky surface.

Lastly, what does "practice makes" mean to you personally?

Practice makes home. Where my heart always is, where my body and mind come into harmony. It is my space where I can just be me, completely free to let myself flow and move spontaneously, or at times restore and be still; it the anchor when I need to come back into balance and the inspiration when my imagination sparkles with creativity and joy. My practice is my place of unconditional love & peace, there is never any pressure, nor judgement. It's always with me wherever I go, it always welcomes me with acceptance and love. 

Practice on

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Miriam is teaching yoga teacher trainings all year around on Amorgos island, Greece. The trainings are  200 hours YTT’s, advanced 300 hours YTT, specialised Yin Yoga and guided meditation instructor trainings.

 

 


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