The Lifelong Benefits of Yoga in Portugal: My Personal Journey
Yoga is often viewed as a static practice, but for me, it has been a true flow that followed me exactly where I was in life. My journey with yoga in Portugal didn't begin in a Zen studio with incense; it began on coast of the Algarve when I was just twelve years old.
Roots: Yoga for Young Surfers
Back then, my life was defined by the Atlantic. I was a "grommet" competing in the national Esperanças surf championships, spending all my free time in the water at Lagos and Carrapateira. Our surf coach’s partner, Diana, was a yoga instructor who recognized that while surfing made us strong, it also made our young, growing muscles incredibly tight.
She started giving us lessons to promote flexibility during a time of rapid physical growth. But the biggest benefit was the breath. Learning to focus on my breathing before paddling out into big waves or during the high-pressure minutes of a competition became my secret for staying calm when the ocean got intense.
The Corporate Hustle: Finding Stillness in Lisbon
As I traded my surfboard for a laptop and moved to Lisbon to start a career as a business consultant, the "waves" became different. The pressure of deadlines and corporate expectations brought a new kind of tension.
During this phase, yoga became my tool for de-stressing. Whether I was heading to a local gym or squeezing in a session at home before work, the practice kept me flexible—both in my body and my mind. It was my daily reset button in the middle of a very exciting and busy lifestyle.
Thailand: Deepening the Connection
A few years later, I had the opportunity to live in Thailand while working remotely. This was a transformative period where my practice reached a new level. Looking for a more conscious lifestyle, I practiced at home twice a day and attended several yoga retreats. It was here that I realized yoga wasn't just an "activity"—it was a way of living.
The Pandemic and Pregnancy
When the world stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was entering my most personal transition: pregnancy. During those "crazy times," my husband and I turned our living room into a yoga studio, practicing yoga online together. The focus on breathing and pelvic flexibility was vital, providing me with physical comfort. Yoga also helped me to stay calm facing the crazy uncertainty of a pandemic while creating life inside of me.
The Present: Growth in Pinhal Novo
Today, I live in Pinhal Novo, and my movement practice has evolved once again. While I still carry the lessons of yoga with me, I currently focus more on Pilates. It has been incredible for my posture and functional flexibility, helping me stay strong and aligned for the demands of daily life.
Looking back, the beauty of yoga in Portugal and beyond is that it grows with you. From the happy memories of a teenage surfer girl to the anxious times of a pandemic pregnancy, yoga remains the ultimate tool for navigating the waves of life.
