EkhartYoga was officially launched in 2012. EkhartYoga offers high quality online yoga and meditation videos, so that you can practise yoga anywhere and anytime you want. It now has a global community of members, with thousands of individuals practising yoga all over the world with help from EkhartYoga Online. The inspirational woman behind it all is the lovely Esther Ekhart, who’s followed in her mother’s footsteps to embrace all things yoga. She loves teaching stronger styles like Hatha or Vinyasa Flow, which focus on strength and stability and fitness. However, she also recognises the power of the slower practices like Yin yoga, Restorative, Meditation and Yoga Nidra to allow you to take the time to get to know yourself better. We caught up with Esther to get to know her better and to find out more about her life and work.
Can you remember when, where and how you first got the idea for EkhartYoga Online?
During a meditation retreat, the idea to teach yoga online arose. I was running my own yoga studio in very rural Ireland and I couldn’t accept any more people into my classes because my studio was small. I felt a bit stuck, not being able to grow and offer yoga to those who couldn’t join my classes or any classes.
So the idea of going online was like a light bulb going on. I really felt that that was what I was supposed to be doing next. My husband Bas loved the idea. We bought a camera and we started filming. We first uploaded yoga videos onto YouTube to test their popularity – they did well, it worked. Next I became known in the online yoga world.
And the why? What was the reason behind setting up EkhartYoga Online?
I had been teaching regular classes and workshops for a very long time, plus my mother was also a yoga teacher, so basically my whole life I have seen the effects of yoga on people.
The positive effects can be absolutely miraculous. First I saw how yoga helped my mother become a more loving, fully functioning human being. How she connected back to herself and the world around her. I then of course experienced the same benefits myself and saw it happen all around me and I wanted to be part of making that accessible to as many people as possible.
At home, everybody can start. My Youtube channel is there with shorter tutorials/classes to help you experience yoga and it is free for those who need it to be. If you want more, to be guided through longer, full yoga classes and be able to search for the classes you need or want, EkhartYoga.com is there.
How did you get together your dedicated team of teachers?
I used my gut feeling and intuition to pick my teachers. I thought about it beforehand, wanting to have teachers of different styles, specialities and ages that complement what I do.
Important to me is that the teachers are genuinely in love with people’s bodies, how the psyche works and life in general. They all need to have a certain amount of experience and maturity in teaching and I like them to be down to earth and real, meaning that they are OK with being honest about their good days and bad days and the fact that they are not perfect, just like everyone else.
We show that by not editing out the “wobbly bits” in our demonstrations, or us “falling out” of poses. So people know and understand that this is normal and it is not about being perfect in your poses and practice but to be OK with yourself as you are. Together we have created this beautiful website where I believe almost anyone can find a teacher they can connect with.
I have ended up with an amazing community of teachers that I am very proud of.
What do you believe are the benefits of online yoga?
Personally I love it that I can practise at my own time, anytime basically, in my favourite place at home. That I can create the atmosphere that works for me, and although I love practising in a group as well, I love practising on my own even better. Personally it allows me to tune in more.
A lot of online yoga studios hold a very high standard of teachers, so you can trust that the level of teaching is fantastic. The diversity of teachers, styles, levels, specific uses and duration are there so you can pick and find a class that suits your needs at any given moment.
Online yoga is also great for people who find it difficult practising and being in groups or for people who live somewhere that doesn’t have a yoga studio or teacher nearby. Besides regular classes, we have specialised programs to work with a theme or goal. Think of yoga for back pain, to build strength, for deep release, more philosophical programs…
Last but not least, it works out cheaper than attending a studio of course – a subscription to EkhartYoga is €12.50 per month (you get your first month for only €1) or €120 per year – and there are no travel costs. Plus you can practise as many classes as you want with a library of about 2000 classes to choose from.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out with EkhartYoga?
To make sure that whatever you choose to do, to enjoy it. To start at the level you are at and to make sure you really listen to your body and work on learning to trust your body.
If something doesn’t feel good, it usually isn’t good for you! ‘No pain no gain’ is not how we would like you to practise with us. Start slowly, mindfully and take the time to develop body and mind into a healthier and more fully functioning human being.
That is what this is about. To become a happier person and to be able to connect more with yourself, others and the world around you. Not to be able to stand on your hands…
On a practical level we have beginners’ programs to get you started when you are a beginner . If you are already more experienced, you could start with one of our yoga challenge programs to get you started and keep the interest in a regular home practice. Our programs are a big hit. For those times when you need a bit of a helping hand choosing a class, we have a ‘Surprise Me’ function. (We currently have almost 2,000 classes so there’s a LOT of choice!) You tell us how much time you have and what type of practice you’d like and we’ll pick three classes for you to choose from.
How do you still connect personally with yoga students?
I still run regular classes in the local yoga studio (Yogatoday) in my hometown Weesp, which I love. I also run workshops and retreats all over Europe. My students come and find me, and that is so lovely, to meet the people that comment on my videos and practise with me at home. I am a part of their life, this way they become a part of mine too. I still get to meet students that are around since my YouTube days, as well as meeting and working with new ones. I’m loving that part of my job so much.
How important is your blog and what role does it play on your website?
Our blog plays a very important part on our website – it’s where we share our passion and love for all things yoga – as well as helping to inform and educate. It’s also a space for our global community to share ideas and opinions. To date, we have almost 700 articles covering an array of topics including health, food, practice tips, anatomy, yoga philosophy and resources for yoga teachers, amongst others.
How does it feel to have a global community of members and how do you maintain that sense of community?
It feels great and I am so honoured to be part of something that promotes such positivity. We’re often referred to as the ‘EkhartYoga family’ (albeit an international one!) because we work so hard to maintain such a sense of connection.
Getting the feedback from our members is what keeps me motivated personally, and I know all the teachers love it. It’s so touching to hear back how this platform, yoga and us teachers have such a positive effect on the quality of life of our members. I am beyond grateful to be a part of so many people’s daily life in this way.
The way we maintain this is that EkhartYoga members can ask questions under online classes, which are answered by our teachers, so in effect, they get personal tuition! As a team, we always do our best to answer any questions or queries relating to…well, anything really, from class suggestions to technical issues to general advice…
How important has yoga been for you personally throughout your life?
It has meant everything to me. It shaped me as a child seeing the influence yoga had on my mother. She started doing yoga when I was very young. I started practising with my mum, and when I really got into it myself from being a teen on, the yoga philosophy helped me understand how to navigate wisely through my ups and downs in life and that I can connect to my true nature which is joy and openness underlying all the ups and downs. The physical practice helped me enjoy a strong, flexible and agile body.
I am forever grateful to what yoga has brought me.
What is the strangest place you have ever practised yoga?
Ha! Once I took part in a meditation retreat, which was part of a 3 year course. During this retreat, we stayed for 3 days and 3 nights on a yoga mat, blindfolded and with earplugs in. Meditating as much as possible, with some asana in between to keep the body happy. The only time you came off your mat was when someone guided you to the bathroom when needed.
That was most definitely the strangest place I did yoga, having to find my way in the dark, without sounds, on that mat, having no idea whether it’s day or night, how long you have been practising for. Amazing! One big meditation of the senses.
And the most beautiful place?
A jungle in India, while on retreat with my teacher. We spent 3 weeks in the jungle, practising most of the day, asana, pranayama, meditation, outside under the trees, no shala. I can still hear the jungle, feel it and smell it. So incredibly beautiful, such an intense nature experience.
And the usual place?
Sitting and practising in my little yoga room in my house or in my little garden if the weather allows.
How would you put into words the transformative power of yoga?
I believe yoga has the ability to make you grow to the heights of your ability as a human being. Maybe even point you to the final truth of seeing that we are not only that human being, so we can finally connect with our true nature.
Starting on the path of yoga will help you to create the space and time to work on your concentration first, the concentration to be able to first get through a physical practice to open and develop strength in the body. Next stage will be a meditation practice to steady the mind. Then if you continue, you will learn to welcome, engage with and get to know your sensations, belief systems, emotions and memories. Yoga is about wholeness, and one way to become whole is to stop separating us from ourselves and what lives in our inner worlds, including our “difficulties”.
Finally, yoga will help you embody a deep quality of being and awareness. This you will need to realise the final state – enlightenment. Yoga is in the end a way to enlightenment.
I’ve been practicing yoga with Esther since her days on YouTube and I’m part of the Ekhartyoga Family. Fabulously inspirational! Ever grateful. Namaste
[…] EkhartYoga was officially launched in 2012. EkhartYoga offers high quality online yoga and meditation videos, so that you can practise yoga anywhere and anytime you want. It now has a global community of members, with thousands of individuals practising yoga all over the world with help from EkhartYoga Online. The Story Behind Ekhart Yoga […]