“What do you want to be when you grow up?” A contortionist! – said 10-year-old Julieta.

Perhaps the elaborate postures initially sparked her interest in yoga, but it was the ancient philosophy, the devotion and the underneath mistery that hooked her to yogic practices, back in 2020. For similar reasons, and since 2017, she studies and dances Bharatanatyam (classical Indian dance) with her teacher Tarika Valli.

The path of becoming a Jivamukti Yoga Teacher began in Barcelona (75h in 2022), to which followed India (300h in 2023), and lastly, the JTAP under Maria Sousa Macedos’ guidance (500h in 2024), to whom she’s deeply grateful.

With a background in gymnastics and dance, she also looks at yoga as art, being a source of inspiration and a way to go beyond the mundane. Passionate about animals, she studied veterinary medicine – the connection with Jivamukti was therefore inevitable, believing that the state of yoga, union, is only possible through compassion for all beings.

To be great, be whole

Exclude nothing, exaggerate nothing that is not you.

Be whole in everything. Put all you are

Into the smallest thing you do.

So, in each lake the moon shines with splendor

Because it blooms up above.

 

– Ricardo Reis

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Born in Lisbon, since a child she has felt a longing for quietude, privileging moments on her own from a very young age. Her favorite activities remain the same up until today: reading, writing and singing. The last two being her treasured ways of expression. This led Maria to study Communication & Political studies, as well as Music at the Lisbon Music Conservatorium.

The need of knowing herself takes her on a journey to Sydney, where she first dedicates herself to the practice of Meditation at the Sydney Buddhist Centre and through it changes her relationship with the Earth and all sentient beings.

It is due this new way of interacting with the Earth that she feels curious about Jivamukti Yoga and starts her path with her teacher Olga Oskorbina, with whom she has deepened her studies and is deeply grateful.

Maria’s teachings reflect the path of someone who is daily committed to her own spiritual practice and who tries to enhance the clear connection between that and the well being of all others. Yoga is the tool she has chosen to become intimate with her “self” whilst widening her circle of compassion. Therefore, Maria’s intention is to always keep studying and practicing.

Maria’s classes are inspired and developed through a combined practice of Jivamukti Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga methods and her passion for music drives her to integrate sound as a key component in her classes.

Maria is the co-founder and director of Jivamukti Yoga Lisbon.

The quieter you become, the more you can hear.

Ram Das

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Olga Oskorbina is the founder and director of Jivamukti Yoga Barcelona and co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga Lisbon. With a strong background in meditation her ability to conduct the energetic environment of a yoga class is unique and profound. She has a clear and concise method of teaching, allowing space for introversion in the practice. With a strong interest in all elements of yoga she continues to study and practice with great enthusiasm. Weaving these attributes together she presents students with a very comprehensive and nourishing experience of Jivamukti Yoga.

Anyone can come to the gates of liberation. But only no one can pass through it –

Ram Das

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