Elodie Garamond, founder of Yoga Play: “yoga changes the way we look at ourselves”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the print edition of the 2022 spring-summer issue of Luxus+ Mag. Click here to see the full issue.

In 2013, Elodie Garamond founded the Tiger Yoga Clubs. Refined places to practice yoga, but also Pilates, barre, Qi Gonq and meditation. Under her leadership, a network of 5 studios in Paris and Deauville was created, as well as spas in partnership with luxury hotels, a training academy (La Maison du Tigre, Paris 17th) and an online yoga platform (Yoga Play)…

The crisis of the covid unfortunately had reason of the clubs, which had to close. But Elodie is now back with new energy, refocusing on her brand Yoga Lifestyle, her Academy, her spas (three in Paris and Deauville), and especially Yoga Play.

How does your approach to yoga differ from others on the market?

I propose an approach which is that of a true art of living rather than a simple gymnastic dis- cipline. In addition to working on the breath and meditation, we also propose the teaching of ancient texts (Vedic). These are all rituals that we have switched to our Yoga Play application. While it already has 30,000 users, including 8,000 paying users, our ambition is to make it the N°1 application for the art of living yoga. We have agreements with about 15 hotels in France, so that our offer is proposed in their rooms.

Has the crisis of covid and confinement increased the proportion of women and men taking care of themselves and practicing an activity like Yoga?

Absolutely. Before covid, many people were procrastinating. They discovered the practice of yoga during the lockdown and it removed their psychological brakes: ‘I don’t have time’, ‘I’m not flexible’, ‘it’s not for me’… After the deconfinement, we have seen many new practi- tioners arrive in our clubs, especially men who came for the first time.

How do you approach the question of Body Neutrality? Can yoga help women (and men) to change their view of themselves?

Of course it can. Faced with dysmorphophobia, this capacity to judge negatively our own body, we can discover, thanks to yoga, the intelligence of the body and all its resources. This cuts off judgment and allows us to have a much more benevolent view of ourselves.

What is your personal idea of wellness today?

It is both a life discipline and a way of listening to oneself. We are far from the 80’s when well- being was associated with aesthetics. Today, we tend towards an inner well-being that can be seen on the outside.

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