How often do you find yourself wondering, “why did I do that?!” (or say that, or even think that…whatever “that” is).
It’s not something we talk about too often, but many, many human beings – yogis included – spend countless hours in a chaotic state of questioning their actions, inactions, and ideas.
In our interview with Marije E. Paternotte, one of the most skilled teachers we have EVER met when it comes to balancing movement, stillness, mindfulness, intention, and the midn-breath-body connection, we were deeply inspired by how she spoke about “the details” of life and yoga, and what it means to “listen to the moment.”
Do you have chills yet?
If not, we think you will absolutely feel them as you read through Marije’s interview.
And then please make plans to practice with her soon, so that you too can experience what it means to work with a teacher who FEELS what her students need.
Spoiler alert: it’s nothing short of magical.
Introduce yourself! Who are you?
My name is Marije E. Paternotte (pronounce: “Mariah”). I was born and raised in Amsterdam where I studied law and worked as a corporate lawyer. After joining a yoga retreat in Bali, life led me to the United States where I took my first yoga teacher training. I currently live in Manasquan with my husband. I teach yoga locally at Inlet Yoga, as well as workshops, retreats and teacher trainings around the world. I am also a guest teacher at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Trust the process”.
When I was in my 200-hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu, and I felt very overwhelmed. I almost dropped out because I thought it was too much too deal with, and nothing made sense anymore. One of the assistants gave me this invaluable advice. It helped me tremendously in that training, as well as many times after.
What would you say to 16 year old you?
“Someone much better is waiting for you.” (When my first boy friend broke up with me and I was devastated.)
What do you love most about yourself?
I am very observant and precise. In daily life, for example, this translates into me bringing shopping carts that are left in the parking lot back to the store, and picking up someone else’s trash.
In my offerings (whether it is a public yoga class, private session, workshop, retreat or teacher training), those same qualities are reflected in the details. Everything I do has a reason, from the music I play (or not play) and the sequence of postures I teach, to my choice of words and order in which I present teaching material. Nothing is random. This may sound like I am rigid, yet the opposite is true. I do like to be prepared and know what I’m doing; yet I also “listen” to the moment. Students often say to me after class: ”How did you know I needed this today?” I have an inherent ability to feel what people need, and I am able to translate that into appropriate action.
What do you do on a daily basis to grow and move forward?
I practice every day. For me this is non-negotiable self-care. This could be anything from just 5 minutes of mindful movement or 20 minutes of meditation to 90 minutes of Yin yoga. I take this time to connect with myself and remind me of my aspiration to know true inner peace.
What is one thing people would be surprised to hear about you?
Besides the fact that I used to be a corporate lawyer…?
I speak six languages!
Marije E. Paternotte (E-RYT 500) was born and raised in Amsterdam where she studied law and worked as a corporate lawyer. After joining a yoga retreat in Bali life led her to the United States where she took her first yoga teacher training. She currently lives in a small beach town in New Jersey with her husband, and teaches yoga locally as well as workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings around the world. Marije is also a faculty assistant and guest teacher at the renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts.
Through her training to be a professional ballet dancer, her innate body awareness, self-study and several sustained injuries, Marije has developed a keen eye for precise and safe alignment of yoga postures. Her teaching style is understated and compassionate, with a focus on mindfulness. She has the ability to present complex concepts, and an in-depth knowledge of yogic anatomy and philosophy, in a simple and approachable way.
Marije received both her foundational and professional level yoga teacher certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts, and is certified to teach Yin Yoga and Mindfulness by Sarah Powers’ Insight Yoga Institute, as well as by Bernie Clark.
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