Meeting with Hélène Duval, founder of YUJ YOGA
Hello Hélène, can you introduce yourself in a few words and tell us about your background?
Hello, my name is Hélène Duval. I like to define myself as an entrepreneur in leggings. I am a mother of 3 children and also and above all a yoga teacher.
Can you tell us about the concept of the YUJ studios and the innovative approach that you wanted to infuse into it, infratherapy and its benefits?
I don't like to talk too much about concept, because it brings us back to a marketing notion and there is no marketing at YUJ. It's a whole universe. In 2017, when I created the first YUJ studio (Paris 7th), I wanted to create a universe to facilitate introspection in the dark so that students could free themselves as much as possible from their external image and take the time to discover themselves within themselves.
The specificity of our universe is the warmth of infrared lights, both soft and comforting, with immediate effects: after 60 minutes, you feel cleansed both physically and mentally. The traditional practice of yoga is done in silence and is carried only by the voice of the teacher. At YUJ, we have inspiring playlists that help elevate the student in their practice.
Why did you decide to turn to yoga originally?
I didn't turn to yoga, like in my whole life and in life in general, I think, it's a question of meeting, a timing, a momentum in my life. This momentum dates from 25 years ago when I discovered the practice of yoga in Paris, which until then had been very confidential and traditional. I loved putting my feet on my yoga mat and opening my body, breathing, I felt alive, vibrant. I think that day determined everything I do today in my life as a legging entrepreneur and yoga teacher.
What are your daily rituals to feel good? What place does self-care and well-being hold in your life? You tested the Hygée products: what did you think? How do you like to eat them?
I don't ask myself any questions, I move forward, I never look in the rear view mirror. There are days with and days without and days that are rather without, that's where I'm going to use my little well-being tips: practice yoga a lot more. I'm going to favor a little more yin practice, especially if I'm low on energy. I will take advantage of it and accept this physical and mental state to land on the ground.
I also have my daily routine, on an empty stomach I take either lemon juice or at the moment I am doing a cider vinegar cure. I love matcha, I take my cup in YUJ studios after my yoga practice. I also like to take food supplement cures and at the moment, I'm doing the " La Sérénité " cure by Hygée, it's the end of the school year and it's mom's burnout. Because there is September but also the month of June when you have to organize everything: vacation planning, extra-curricular activities for the start of the school year... so I tested "La Sérénité" and I can assure you that you puts you in a state of tranquility and calm.
Do you have any tips for learning how to manage stress well?
I'm not stressed, I'm speed, I have an energy that is extremely yang, so an energy of fire. It can sometimes be similar, for people who don't know me, to stress but in this case, not at all. I don't know what it means to be stressed. I move forward, with what I know how to do and on the other hand, the advice I can give to people who will read us is to never go beyond your limits. I know what I'm worth, I know what I can do but I don't put myself in competition because that's where we become wobbly and where we are full of doubts.
What are your upcoming projects?
In fact, there are many but nothing concrete. I don't really like revealing them because that's also part of stress management, I avoid having long-term projects because that puts me in a situation where I'm already anticipating so I doubt and I drool, I rehashing… So when it's done in the present moment, at least it's done. The only thing I can say is that I want to continue to unite all this beautiful community of yogis around YUJ because I really believe in this universe that you can't find anywhere else.
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Find Hélène on Instagram and at YUJ Studios
