Yoga for the Body, Mind and Spirit: Q+A with Natalie Moussaid
published May 24, 2024
Natalie Moussaid is a Yoga Teacher and Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
She specializes in emotional healing, spiritual connection, nature connection, and mind-body movement.
In this Q+A with Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org, Natalie discusses adapting yoga instruction to the needs of different students, as well as her own journey as a devout Christian yogini.
Catharine: What is a Certified Health Coach, and how does this complement your training as a yoga teacher?
Natalie: A Certified Health Coach is a health professional who specializes in optimizing the overall health and well-being of clients who are seeking to make long-lasting, positive lifestyle changes. A Certified Health Coach is trained in evidence-based practices that help to shift behaviors to support long-term transformation. Coaches are educated in a variety of topics such as, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, energy therapies, and more.
As a Yoga Teacher, it has been very helpful to go through my health coach training. My training through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition taught me a wide variety of strategies to implement to help others go deeper within themselves and discover the root of why they (1) are having trouble making changes, or (2) desire a change.
Most often, our body is sending us signals that are messages to us. We are naturally intuitive beings. By having a guide to help us explore this innate ability, we can tap into a new world where we can hear ourselves clearly and discover what is true, and what feels true.
I have been able to incorporate deep questions, offer a space for reflection, and interviewing for many of my Yoga students. They have found that my class is different because it offers them a comforting space to connect with their intuition and body at a deeper level.
Yoga is more than just physical poses. There is a mental, emotional, and spiritual element to the practice that also needs nurturing. Coaching has given me the confidence to ask deeper questions, and help people discover their why. By understanding their “why” for practicing Yoga, or wanting to make a diet change, they feel intrinsically motivated to make lasting changes. It's empowering and I’m so grateful for the combination of skills.
Catharine: How can yoga help people who are struggling with their emotional and/or physical health?
Natalie: Although Yoga is seen as a physical practice, there are other aspects, including mental and physical. Broken down, the Sanskrit word, Yoga, translates to “Yoke”, or “to Unite”. The practice of Yoga serves to unite body and mind in harmony. Yoga is a meditation practice. It is one that incorporates and places emphasis on mindfulness. In recent years, the topic of mindfulness has become increasingly popular as the rise of stress, anxiety, and other chronic conditions continues. Mindfulness has been proven to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
In 2021, I held a workshop on the relationship between stress and chronic pain. The workshop incorporated a blend of various therapies, including Yoga, meditation, and Reiki. Most students discovered that their blood pressure and heart rate lowered, they felt less pain, and felt more joy. This is because stress-based reduction practices, such as Yoga, have been known to reduce inflammation. Health practitioners have discovered that stress and inflammation in the body contribute to pain. In some cases, Yoga may help to reduce pain.
Yoga takes us into the present moment. It helps us to turn our awareness from distractions and bring ease to ourselves. Yoga also teaches about the lesson of detachment. Which can help emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Catharine: What factors should yoga teachers consider when working with students who have limited mobility and/or serious health conditions?
Natalie: There are 5 factors that I have found helpful to consider when working with students who have limited mobility/serious health imbalances:
Create a safe and welcoming environment for all people
Understand that every body is at different stages of limitation/or health imbalances
Do your best not to assume the needs or goals of the of your students or clients
Be flexible! (In more ways than one). Keep in mind that one set plan may not work for everyone as intended. Have an open mind, stay flexible, and willing to learn. Being adaptable to the changing needs of each person and class makes you a better teacher and person.
Choose your words/ way of communication carefully and with compassion.
Catharine: There are ongoing discussions in the yoga community about whether it’s appropriate to say ‘Namaste’ and use Sanskrit terminology for the names of poses. What (if anything) did you learn about this in your yoga teacher training?
Natalie: This is a topic of discussion that was never addressed in my yoga teacher training. However, from my experience as a teacher, I have developed my own opinion.
First, it is important to understand that there are ALL different types of students. Some students appreciate the use of Sanskrit, as it shows a dedication to the learning of this ancient practice. Other students may find that the use of Sanskrit is “too much”. Perhaps they aren’t able to follow the class well if these terms are used.
My advice for teachers who use Sanskrit terminology is to provide the English translation, as well. This will make the process of learning the terms smoother for those who don’t understand. If a teacher is worried about whether or not to use the terms, they can begin the class by explaining that Sanskrit will be used throughout class. This gives students an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about it. This becomes a lesson of learning to “read the room”.
Catharine: What have been the biggest challenges in developing your own yoga practice?
Natalie: One of the biggest challenges that I have faced in developing my own practice have has been religious related blocks. I grew up as a Catholic, and I was involved in various religious groups for Catholic and Christian young adults.
Before joining one particular group, I had been practicing meditation for over two years independently, and was a budding Yogini. Being part of this group was successful in connecting me to my faith; however, the pastor and some of the group members disapproved of Yoga and energy therapies. I respectfully left the group and tried to continue my Yoga and meditation practice. However, I felt a lot of guilt surrounding this decision to leave the group, which made it difficult for me to continue with my practice. However, the group did inspire a discipline in me to the Bible, Jesus and meditation that eventually helped me to find my own path.
In 2022, I was drawn back to my practice after a frightening episode of anxiety. I was in school, and feeling overwhelmed. The stress and anxiety I had been feeling was a build up of multiple things that I neglected to address.
When the paramedic arrived, he directed me to my breath and taught me how to breathe properly. The act of breathing was able to reduce muscle spasming, acute paralysis, reduce my blood pressure and balance my oxygen levels to normal. After that day, I decided to devote my time and energy to the art of breathing. Which led me back to Yoga, or somatic movement based therapies.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been able to integrate my yoga practice with biblical teachings and understand that Jesus would not want me to feel judged. Especially for a practice that has been guiding me closer to myself and God.
Catharine: Do you have any advice for someone who’s considering becoming a certified yoga teacher?
Natalie: My advice for someone who is considering becoming a Yoga teacher is to follow your passion.
It is not uncommon for someone to practice Yoga and discover that they want to take their life journey in a new and more fulfilling direction. As old parts of the self shed throughout practice, the true self has the opportunity to shine through. Intuition is also enhanced, which awakens deeper connection to the self, where one can realize what makes them who they are.
There is a world of discovery waiting to be explored. Trust your intuition and know that you are always being guided.
Catharine: What does your current yoga and meditation practice look like, and how does it help you with your work?
Natalie: About 4-5 times every week, I give myself space in the morning and night to breathe, meditate, stretch, or practice energy therapy. For many years, I was strict with this practice. However, recently, I have discovered that being mindful is something that I can incorporate into my daily routine … my whole day.
I have been excited about this new discovery. I have only just begun to tap into the power of mindfulness to infuse my whole day.
When I am working, I make sure to take mini breaks to focus on my breath, or listen to the sounds around me, or feel my connection to the surface beneath me.
It is the evolution of my practice that has inspired me to share it with others in my Yoga classes. My own practice has helped me to understand the deeper benefits of having it incorporated in daily life. By sharing this wisdom, I hope for it to continue empowering my students to make space for practices that will help them detach from the busy, and into the now.
Related Posts
There are many more resources here at MindfulTeachers.org on mind-body health and on teaching yoga and mindfulness to different types of students, including the following posts: