Our Wellness Philosophy
Unlocking the secrets of Functional Wellness, Madn introduces a holistic approach where Ayurvedic philosophy seamlessly intertwines with tea, yoga, and breath-work. Rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, our wellness philosophy is a journey toward our 3 pillars: Energize, Balance, Relax.
Madn's Functional Wellness is a space that invites everyone, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, to explore their mind and body through accessible yoga poses and breath-work practices. Our mission is to bring comfort to your busy and hectic life by providing healing and calm from the inside out!
ENERGIZE
BALANCE
RELAX
Functional Wellness: Yoga & Breath Work
Functional Wellness looks at all of you – the whole person — to address your needs, heal your body, and optimize the way you live for more moments of balance. We aim to provide easy, quick yoga poses that you seamlessly integrate into your daily routine during the small moments of the day whether that be during your lunch break or while you sip your morning tea.
Harriët Slager:
How Yoga Changed My Life
My philosophy
“Yoga is a lifelong journey of self-discovery. The teacher is the guide while the students discover their own bodies”.
My mission as a teacher
With gentle and clear instructions I let my students fully merge into their yoga practice. I give them the opportunity to experiment with their breath and body to discover its endless possibilities.
Students will release any blockages and feel energized and content after the class.
Short Bio
After the recovery of three epileptic insults in 2015, I started to practice yoga on a regular basis which profoundly improved my quality of life.
During my pregnancy I discovered the benefits of prenatal yoga which led to an 85 hour prenatal teacher training in 2022.
In 2023, the 200 hour teacher training unlocked my true passion for teaching and was the beginning of a lifelong path of yoga.
​
Namaste
Harriet Slager
Hatha and Prenatal Yoga teacher
Brussels Area
www.linkedin.com/in/harrietslager
For more info on courses contact: harslager@gmail.com
Squat Pose, Malasana
To practice Malasana, start in a standing position with your feet on the edges of the mat and your toes slightly facing outwards. Put your hands in a prayer position. Slowly start to bend your knees and lower your buttocks towards the mat while keeping your spine elongated. When you have found your balance push start to push your knees away with your elbows. This will allow you to lift your chest, open your hips and lengthen your spine. If you have difficulties putting your heels flat on the mat you can support them with blocks. (see picture) Malasana is also a great prenatal pose. Another option is to support your buttocks with a block.
Inhale and exhale through your nose and enjoy!
Eagle Pose On Chair
Are you in the office and in need of a shoulder stretch? The yoga Eagle Pose on a chair is a modified version of Garudasana and brings enhanced focus, stability, and flexibility. Open both arms to the side and while closing the arms towards the front move one elbow over the other. The palms of both hands touch each other and face towards the ceiling. Maintain a tall spine, keep your feet flat on the floor and engage your core for balance.
Extra shoulder stretch?
Slowly lift your elbows up towards the ceiling and feel the sensation. Breath in and out to your noise. Change sides!
Downward Dog
Downward Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is a foundational yoga pose where the body forms an inverted V shape. Start on hands and knees or in child's pose. Lift the hips toward the ceiling while pushing your hands into the mat, creating a stretch through the spine and back of the legs. Hands are shoulder-width apart, fingers spread, and feet hip-width apart.
You can keep your knees bent if you are unable to lower your heels to the mat. Relax your neck and keep your shoulders away from your ears. Inhale & exhale and enjoy.
Seated Front Fold
This Seated Forward Fold, or Paschimottanasana, is a yoga pose where you sit with your legs slightly bent to avoid pulling your lower back. Hinge at the hips to reach the hands towards your feet or your calves. Relax the spine and use all the pillows and support you need for complete relaxation.
This forward fold will calm the nervous system. By bending the knees and the spine you relax the lower back allowing the blood to freely flow up and down the spine. Stay in the pose for a few minutes for deep relaxation and breath in and out through the nose. Very useful before sleeping.
Puppy Pose
Start the Puppy Pose, or Anahatasana, in a tabletop position. Slowly walk your hands forward while lowering the chest towards the mat. Keep your hips above the knees and lower your forehead on the mat. Take deep breaths through your nose and let your lower back slowly melt towards the mat with each exhale.
This shoulder opener can feel a bit odd in the beginning but when practiced at a regular basis it is quite addictive.
You can keep your elbows of or on the mat.
Cat Cow Pose
The Cat Cow pose or Marjaryasana - Bitilasana, is a combination of two poses practiced together to gently warm up the spine. In the picture you see the cat pose which you perform on your exhales. Your tailbone is tucked, your spine is rounded and your chin tucked towards your chest. On your next inhale lift your tailbone to the sky while the spine arches down and draw your shoulder blades together. Gaze slightly forward. Continue at your own pace and press your hands into the mat.
The Cat Cow pose is the perfect warming up pose in every yoga sequence.
Spinal Twist On Chair
Working in the office or at home and feeling a little stuck?
Do a Spinal Twist on a Chair. Sit in the front of your chair to create space for the twist. Look to the front, lengthen your spine and keep both feet flat on the floor. Place your right hand on your left knee and grasp the left side of your chair with your left hand. Inhale to lengthen the spine and exhale to twist the torso gently to the left. Move deeper into the twist on each exhale but don't force your spine. Try to look towards the wall behind you. This pose promotes spinal mobility, alleviates back tension, and improves digestion.
Make sure to change sides and breath.
