Gisele G. Suarez and Tuned To Yoga

My name is Gisele Grespan Suarez, and I am a dedicated yoga teacher from Brazil. I earned my degree as a Registered Nurse from the Federal University of Parana in Curitiba in 1991. Following this, I worked at Curitiba’s university hospital until 2004, when I moved abroad due to my husband’s international work commitments. Since then, I have lived in the United Kingdom for a year, Shenzhen, China, for eight years, and have been residing in Doha, Qatar, since 2013.

My passion for the arts, especially dance, has been a significant part of my life. At thirteen, I began Classical Ballet and contemporary Jazz classes, continuing for six years until family commitments required my focus. In my late twenties, I returned to dance but eventually stopped due to work and family responsibilities. Despite this, I maintained physical activity by exercising at the gym, although it wasn’t fulfilling.

In 2003, I discovered a Yoga class in Brazil, marking the beginning of my yoga journey. My initial teacher training was in Hatha Yoga with C.S.J. Yoga from Taiwan. My turning point came when we moved to Shenzhen, where I attended a workshop introducing me to Iyengar Yoga. At that time, Iyengar Yoga was only available in Hong Kong, but being close to Shenzhen allowed me to attend classes at The Iyengar Yoga Center of Hong Kong. I dedicated myself to Iyengar Yoga, leading to a two-year teacher training program at the Center.

In 2013, I became a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. Since then, I have committed to annual studies in India with my mentor and the Iyengar family at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) in Pune. I currently hold the certification of Junior Intermediate Teacher.

Yoga has been instrumental in helping me navigate health challenges, including thyroid cancer. As a nurse, I learned to see the patient as a whole, not just treating the disease or parts of the body. I see similarities in the roles of a yoga teacher and a nurse, as both promote health. Through yoga, I can continue to help others and myself, both as a practitioner and teacher.

When I discovered Iyengar Yoga, I was in the midst of a serious health crisis. From the beginning, I felt that Iyengar Yoga provided a path I wanted to follow. My many years of practice have shaped me physically, mentally, and spiritually, helping to bring a new sense of balance into my life.

I created Tuned to Yoga to connect with other yoga enthusiasts and share my experiences, both as a student and as a teacher of Iyengar Yoga. Tuned to Yoga aligns with the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, suggesting the serenity that comes from balanced alignment, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. As a teacher, I aim to stay attuned to and responsive to the immediate problems my students face, whether minor physical pain or long-term emotional and health-related challenges.

The structure of the classes varies. The approach depends on a student’s age, experience, and needs. Some classes focus on physical mobility, stability, and alignment, while others are restorative. I sometimes use props, and at times, no props at all. Classes always provide straightforward instructions so that students can experience the core of yoga philosophy in a practical way.