Ashtanga Yoga Chile: In Living Colour
We sat down with our close friend Loreto Cortés recently. Russell asked her what it was like living in Chile during Pinochet and fascism. (Something that has been on his mind recently). Loreto said of that time in her childhood that: “In that time everything lacked colour. After Pinochet our world became brighter and filled with light.”
We probed Loreto and her experience as an activist, artist, and yogi. We were fascinated by her universe. Loreto is an actor and as such she can reach her emotions easily. She lifts them and throws them up into the sky for us all to see like a kaleidoscopic prayer to the One True Goddess: the River of Time.
We hear about one of her interactions with a manifestation of the Three Fates, who came in the form of a visiting stranger, traveling through Chile, who introduced her to Ashtanga yoga, right in her living room. And in that moment she knew that this is what she would do in her life. Soon after she happened to meet Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, in Santiago, he handed her a business card (which she still has) and so like this in the dream time, the mountain girl came to Mysore. And, there she felt at home again.
Now 49 years old, Loreto reflects back on her years of practice and the early days when she opened the first fully dedicated Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Santiago, Chile, 20 years ago. We are so delighted to share her radiant life and story with you.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loreto Cortés is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga student and practitioner for over 20 years. After training as an actress and working for years in theatre, by chance, she took her first Ashtanga Yoga class in 1998 when she was 24 years old. From that moment on he never stopped practicing. Such was her conviction that this was her path, that she left her acting career and since then devoted herself entirely to her own practice and sharing this method that she is passionate about with her growing number of students.
One of the main characteristics that stands out with Loreto is her commitment to the parampara, or to continue the teachings, as she’s received them. Loreto has a unique and inspiring approach that helps students broaden and deepen their understanding of this practice on and off the mat. Loreto approaches the practice as a tool of self-knowledge that can accompany us in the processes of life, bringing stability, peace of mind, happiness and fulfillment.
She has already been to India several times, each visiting connecting back to the source of Ashtanga yoga. In 2002, she received permission to teach this method directly from Sri. K Pattabhi Jois, and in 2006, she received authorization from R. Sharath Jois, acknowledging her dedication to the practice. Loreto was the first Chilean authorized by KPJAYI, becoming a benchmark for Ashtanga Yoga in Chile and South America.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LORETO & ASHTANGA YOGA CHILE
WEBSITE I INSTAGRAM I ASHTANGA YOGA CHILE
Listen Now…
The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case.
A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations.
Your contributions have allowed us to keep our podcast ad and sponsor free. Creating, editing and producing each episode takes a lot of time. It is a labor of love. And would not be possible without your kind support.
If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! ❤
Leave us a 5★ rating!
We love to read and respond to your comments - So drop us a note in the comments below and give us a shout out on IG!
Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
To purchase your own copy - Click Here.
