10 minutes with Mona Godfrey
AUGUST 10, 2015
Humbling the yoga world with her beautiful goldilocks, mindful yoga classes and loving nature, we introduce to you one of our teachers, Mona Godfrey. Born in Latvia and raised between Stockholm and California, this now London based teacher brings a unique energy to her Power Yoga classes that is powerful yet feminine. Often spotted running from her home to The Power Yoga Co.studio in Fulham, Mona Godfrey arrives to class full of vivacity and wisdom that she shares generously to anyone who attends her class. With a strong focus on mind, body and soul connection, Mona’s classes will leave even the least experienced yogi in a complete meditative and blissful state. Here we share in 10 short questions a small insight into the interesting life of Mona Godfrey.
1.) Describe your life in 2 words?
Indescribable adventure
2.) What inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
When I did my first teacher training in California, I didn’t think I wanted to teach. Afterwards, I enrolled in a Post-Graduate Mentorship Program. It was during this program that it began to feel I couldn’t possibly NOT teach. My wonderful mentor, Shanti Walling, gave me the tools and the inspiration I needed to move into teaching with a healthy balance of confidence and humility for the ancient practice.
3.) What are your current 3 favourite yoga poses?
Sukhasana (Easy pose or seated pose) , Shavasana (corpse pose) , and Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand pose) – all three challenge me immensely, all in very very different ways.
4.) Whats your favourite jam to play during a power yoga practise?
Music is my first love, but for my own personal practice, I prefer silence. When teaching, I try to stick with music that doesn’t take away from the breath. Right now I love playing Jirí Mazánek’s “Meditace s údem”.
5.) If you could choose one food to live on for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Could or have to? If I have to — Is this going affect my health? Without over thinking it I am gonna say sushi as a starter, ice cream as a main. Oh, and I can’t forget cashew butter, maybe as dessert? ha ha If you’re giving me the choice, I’d rather not make the commitment and stick to variety.
6.) Can you tell us a secret that people may not know about you?
I’m a bit of a computer geek.
7.) Can you tell us a joke?
Not at the top of my head, but I can tell you to go follow @thefatjewish on IG, and when you’re laughing and snorting on the tube, remember who showed you the light.
8.) You have an upcoming workshop on the importance of mediation, can you tell us a little bit about this?
I remember the first teacher that invited me to her weekly meditation circle on the beach. I’d never meditated before, but she gave me the first tool. She planted a seed, opened a door. It took a few years to cultivate a truly regular practice, but that day was powerful. I think people like the idea of meditating and want to, but don’t know where to start, how to, or how to find time for it. I will share my experience and share the tools that have been passed down to me. For more experienced meditators, it will be a nice space in which to deepen and immerse in the communal energy.
9.) For someone who’s new to meditating, what’s the best way to start?
There is no right way or best way, just start, and stay hungry. But start. And when you’ve stopped, start again. Doing the dishes, hugging a loved one, or a few minutes after asana or in the morning. If unsure, ask a teacher for a technique. If doing seated meditations, a timer can help. But there’s really no right or best way, you just have to start. The mind will come up with a million reasons not to start. But just start.
10.) Through your experience, what are your top 3 tips for aspiring yogis on their yoga journey?
Aspiring implies that there’s some sort of goal or final destination or place of perfection. 1) If you’re practicing yoga, and you are doing your work, and showing up, you’re doing it right. It doesn’t matter if you started yesterday or you feel broken. Just keep doing it. 2) Commit to making it a lifetime practice and dedicate yourself to it daily. 3) There’s no aspiring, you’ve arrived.
Mona’s Flow and Meditation workshop is on Saturday 24th October, 1:30-3:30pm at The Power Yoga Company. To sign up, or find out more click here.
Looking for even more meditation goodness? Escape to the countryside with Pete Cherry for a weekend filled with yoga and meditation. To find out more click here.
For more information on the workshops or classes please phone 0207 736 4429, or click here to view the updated class schedule.
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