Paola Raho Yoga Instructor

Paola stumbled across yoga by chance but soon found it was her calling. She talks to Sundried about life as a yoga instructor.

Tell us about your journey to fitness? Where did it all start?

I became a yoga teacher because I was struck by the completeness of the yogic path. You work using the body, but the goal is much higher; getting a fit body is only a consequence of the practice.

It all started by chance, walking through the centre of Bologna in Italy. I felt a scent of incense coming out of a door so I went in, attracted by the smell. It was in this strange way that I found my first yoga studio. From that moment, it was an on-and-off practice for some years until I realised that this was my calling and I began to deepen the path more and more, even going to India to study further.

What are your training goals now?

I’m practising and teaching Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, but now I’d like to advance in my Ashtanga Vinyasa practice.

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Don’t be in a hurry to get results. I demand a lot from myself and I had to learn patience. I discovered that the best results are obtained with patience and consistency.

Do you follow a specific nutrition plan? If so, what/when do you eat?

I follow a vegetarian diet. I try to balance my diet with plant foods that contain a high amount of protein.

What do you do to keep your clients motivated? Do you have any top tips to keep motivated?

Yoga is all about internal motivation, determination and training of willpower. We can help with the consistency and observation of the small visible improvements we see from week to week.

Talk us through your training regime.

I practice yoga every day, preferably early in the morning. Alongside yoga I also do climbing and running.

How do you keep your fitness knowledge up to date?

I’m a teacher, but I am also (and always will be) a student. I love to learn new things following workshops and retreats.

What are your top 3 trainer tips?

1. Listen to your body. It knows what it's doing. 
2. Always practise joyfully and lovingly towards your body and your path.
3. Keep the full picture in mind. Yoga is not a path that is an end in itself, it’s a path that enriches us mentally, emotionally and physically. The attitude we have on the mat will be the same that we have in the life.

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Avocado!

Why work with Sundried?

Because I really like the Sundried products and I like the strong brand ethic.

Favourite fitness quote:

"You may not be there yet, but you’re closer than yesterday."