HAPPY HIPPIEZ YOGA
Happy Hippiez Yoga is thé place for you to take your journey into the life of yoga. We teach Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Easy Flow, Yin Yoga, Strength and Stability, Flow and Restore, and Calming Yoga classes. We'd love to see you on the mat! Our core essence is to live with intention and follow our dreams!
During our Ashtanga Yoga classes we teach part of the Primary Series, which is a sequence that helps us tune and cleanse the physical body. We connect every posture with a flow of movements, called a vinyasa. Vinyasa means breath synchronized with movement, which results in developing a clear mind an open heart, while strengthening the body. The approach we use during our practice is called Tristana, and consists of three parts: correct breathing by using a free breathing technique based on the Ujjayi breath, focusing on precise gazing points, called dristi, and yoga postures, called āsanas, while using the bandhas (energy locks).
Ashtanga is a daily method of yoga involving synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures. This process produces intense internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The results are improved circulation, a light and strong body and a calm mind.
Ashtanga is traditionally taught in the “Mysore” style: a supervised self-practice. The same series of āsanas (poses) are practiced each day. New poses are introduced by the teacher once the student memorizes and becomes proficient in the previous āsanas in the sequence. People of all ages and health can practice Ashtanga. A student works with the teacher to advance at their own rate. It is also taught in Led classes, flowing on the count of the teacher.
YOGA TEACHER & LIFE COACH
Desirée is a sun child who lives for warmth, health, and happiness. Born in the Netherlands, this daydreaming creative type loves to travel and make beautiful memories along the way. Sunshine, amore and being around positive and beautifully spirited souls makes her the happiest. She is one very happy hippie.
She took one of her very first yoga classes in 2009, at her local gym. Even though the class wasn't exactly as she had imagined, it still ignited a spark in her, and in her continuous journey on the path of yoga. She moved to Italy and took yoga classes there as well. These allowed her to clear her mind and discover herself and her own path in life. When she moved back to the Netherlands, she still continued to take yoga classes here and there, until she found hot yoga and Bikram yoga, and she became a more serious practitioner.
Desirée then switched to a different yoga school, and took every single class they offered, trying to discover which type of yoga was her favorite. As it turned out this would be Ashtanga yoga. She has been practicing daily, six days a week, ever since. And that is when she decided to not only be a student of yoga, but to also become a teacher of yoga.
She has taken multiple classes and workshops with Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann, and has also been taking classes with Ashtanga legends like David Swenson, Sharathji Jois, and Laruga Glaser.
She is the founder of Happy Hippiez and Happy Hippiez Yoga, which she both started in 2020. She is currently studying to become a verified RYT 200 yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance, and will go on to teach Ashtanga and Vinyasa based yoga in the true tradition of Ashtanga Yoga.
HAPPY HIPPIEZ YOGA SHALA
Classes on Monday, Thursday and Saturday are held at the Student Hotel in Maastricht. The classes are available for everyone to participate in, both people staying at The Student Hotel as well as people who aren't.
Address:
Sphinxcour 9A, 6211 XZ Maastricht
If you choose a private class, we can also teach right in your living room. You can be taught yoga in the comfort of your own home.
During the summer we also organize classes outside, in the city center of Maastricht.
MOON DAYS
In the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga, the days of the full moon and new moon are considered 'yoga holidays'. We do not practice Ashtanga Yoga on those days. During moon days the sun and moon are aligned in such a manner that they exert a greater gravitational force on the planet.
The best example of the effects that the moon cycles have on our planet and our planet's waters can be seen in high and low tides. These are caused by the moon. Since our bodies are made up of approximately 60% of water it only makes sense that the moon has a huge effect on us as well. That is why, in Ashtanga Yoga, we choose to live in harmony with the rhythm of nature, and take a rest day on both full and new moon days.
2021
* All times are local time for Maastricht, The Netherlands
January
Wednesday 13 – new
Thursday 28 – full
April
Monday 12 – new
Tuesday 27 – full
July
Saturday 10 – new
Saturday 24 – full
October
Wednesday 6 – new
Wednesday 20 – full
February
Thursday 11 – new
Saturday 27 – full
May
Tuesday 11 – new
Wednesday 26 – full
August
Sunday 8 – new
Sunday 22 – full
November
Thursday 4 – new
Friday 19 – full
March
Saturday 13 – new
Sunday 28 – full
June
Thursday 10 – new
Thursday 24 – full
September
Tuesday 7 – new
Tuesday 21 – full
December
Saturday 4 – new
Sunday 19 – full
ETIQUETTE
♥ You are welcome to practice yoga with Happy Hippiez Yoga.
♥ Please respect the student-teacher relationship and follow requests from your teacher. If for any reason
a request cannot be followed, feel free to let your teacher know. Never take on postures that do not feel
right for your body.
♥ Please remain silent or use a very calm and quiet voice upon entry, and be respectful of the space
and calmness of other students.
♥ Please do not disturb the peace.
♥ Please refrain from unnecessary talking.
♥ In case of participating in any of our Mysore classes, please respect and follow the traditional Ashtanga method as taught by Happy Hippiez Yoga. Please do not add, skip or in other ways deviate from the traditional Ashtanga sequence of yoga asanas unless acknowledged or requested by your teacher. If you do not know the sequence or if following the traditional method is not possible for you, either talk to your teacher or request guidance to find a more appropriate class for you.
♥ Please stay on your own mat and refrain from assisting other practitioners.
♥ Please do not try out any new asanas unless agreed upon with your teacher.
♥ Please note that footwear should be removed on entry to the shala. Please leave your shoes in the shoe racks upon entry, or in any of the other designated areas.
♥ Please do not wear shoes in the yoga practicing spaces.
♥ Your bag and clothes shall be left in designated areas of the shala, and shall not be placed near your mat and the practice area, to make sure we do not interrupt any other students, and prevent injuries. Personal valuables can be placed in a designated area in the yoga shala.
♥ Please turn off your mobile phone.
♥ Respect your limits. Acknowledge that your body and mind will feel different every day, and make sure you listen to what your body tells you and practice in your own time following your own breath.
♥ Practice with care and consideration towards yourself and others.
♥ It is recommended to practice on an empty stomach. We advise to refrain from eating at least 2 hours prior to and 30 minutes after your practice. However, this is only a recommendation. Always listen to your own body with care.
♥ Do not drink water during or immediately after a session. Wait at least 30 minutes. Drink plenty of water after your practice.
♥ Personal hygiene is an integral part of practicing yoga. Please ensure that you and your gear are clean. Always make sure you are clean and fresh when you attend any of our yoga classes.
♥ Please wear clean clothes during our yoga classes. Wear comfortable clothing in which you can move easily.
♥ Please make sure to clean yoga mats regularly. When borrowing a mat from our studio, make sure you clean the mat before leaving the shala and before returning the mat. Mat cleaning spray bottles, and towels to whip the mats, can be found in the room where classes are taught. Ask your teacher for more information. Storing mats unrolled, or leaving them out in the sun are also good ways to eliminate bacteria and reduce smells.
♥ If you feel emotional during or after a yoga session (joy, sadness, irritation, etc.) then accept the feelings and welcome these emotions. If this feels difficult, you are welcome to speak to your teacher about it.
♥ In the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga, the days of the full moon and new moon are considered 'yoga holidays'. We do not practice Ashtanga Yoga on those days. For a complete list of Moon days, please have a look on our website.
♥ We do not offer any Mysore classes on New and Full moon days. For a complete list of Moon days, please have a look on our website.
♥ At Happy Hippiez Yoga we believe in creating a safe space and a rich community, completely focused on respect, support and healing. Always respect both the physical and mental integrity of any participant and teacher. Sexual behaviour or sexually suggestive behaviour shall NEVER be tolerated at Happy Hippiez Yoga.
♥ If you struggle with a posture, our experienced teacher will help you. Hands-on adjustments and guidance are given throughout the class, always with consent of and respect to the student. Yoga blocks and straps are available in our studio for use, to get into the postures with more ease. Alternative options are also suggested for many of the more challenging yoga postures. You can always ask your teacher for help.
♥ Happy Hippiez Yoga reserves the right to deny any participant and/or member entrance to any of our classes, workshops, events, training, and retreats, and terminate their participation, in case they do not comply with the Happy Hippiez Yoga Etiquette, as described here and on or website. Happy Hippiez Yoga reserves the right to do so without reimbursing any money.