There’s Nothing More Powerful Than Accepting the Present
From her first encounter with yoga, Veva Sánchez found much more than a physical practice: she discovered a refuge, a breath, and a deep connection with herself.
In this interview, Veva takes us through her journey of personal transformation. From her beginnings as a musician to becoming a renowned yoga teacher, her story is a testament to the power of this practice to heal, connect, and find purpose.
Throughout the interview, we explore topics such as motherhood, the impact of the Bowspring method, and the life lessons yoga has taught her. Discover how yoga can be a path toward acceptance, presence, and reconnecting with the essence of who we are.
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Your life started at the music conservatory, a very demanding environment. How did you discover yoga during that time, and what did it mean for you to find this practice?
Studying music at the conservatory is wonderful but also incredibly demanding. It’s an environment where perfection and dedication are expected. One day, a friend who was already practicing yoga encouraged me to try a class to relieve tension, and I remember feeling something very special during that first session.
For the first time in a long while, I felt calm and at peace during that hour. It was a relief for both my body and mind. That day, yoga offered me something I hadn’t found anywhere else: a breath, a refuge. From that point on, I never stopped practicing. I always found space for it, and over time, its impact grew more and more.
Yoga offered me something I hadn’t found anywhere else: a breath, a refuge
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What keeps you connected to yoga after so many years?
Every time I step onto the mat, it’s a different experience because every day we are different: our bodies change, and our emotions flow differently. I’m a very emotional person, and yoga allows me to organize everything around me. It’s a space where I can simply allow myself to be.
At the end of my practice, I always find a shift in perspective, a sense of calm. Sometimes nothing external changes, but you change internally. For me, that’s the magic of yoga. Yoga is that breath that allows me to connect with myself.
Yoga is that breath that allows me to connect with myself
How have your personal experiences influenced your relationship with yoga?
I’ve always been very restless, and looking back, I think every move I made was a mix of escape and search. But over time, yoga taught me that there’s nothing beyond this present moment. It’s not about chasing after something or trying to find it outside yourself.
Everything we seek is already here, in this place, in this moment. Essentially, it’s about accepting and enjoying what we already have. That’s the greatest lesson yoga has given me.
It’s not about chasing after something but accepting and enjoying what we already have.
Practice with Veva at @vevayoginilife
Motherhood also seems to have been a transformative moment in your life. What lessons has this process taught you, and how has it impacted your yoga practice?
Motherhood is undoubtedly a before and after. You never go back to being who you were, and there’s a learning process where you have to accept this new person you’ve become. During the first months of raising my daughter, I set aside my physical practice, but once again, yoga supported me.
Even though I couldn’t practice physically, I found ways to connect with myself. For instance, holding my daughter in my arms became a moment of reflection, of meditation. I could use that time to be present, to reflect, and to find beauty in such a simple yet powerful act.
Holding my daughter in my arms became a moment of reflection, of meditation.
Let’s talk about the Bowspring method. What led you to choose this approach, and what have you discovered in it?
Bowspring is a different approach from traditional yoga. It focuses on the natural curves of the body and its organic movement. Unlike other styles, it doesn’t aim for straight lines but celebrates the curves and pulsations of the body. For example, in Bowspring, you work with pulsation during inhalation and exhalation, creating an incredible connection between your body and inner energy.
This practice not only re-educates the body but reminds you of where you come from. It’s like returning to the essence of who you are, to the natural biomechanics we are born with. Beyond the physical, Bowspring taught me to look at my body with respect and admiration for its wisdom. It transformed me deeply, and that’s why I felt the need to teach and share it with others.
Bowspring taught me to look at my body with respect and admiration for its wisdom
Connect with Veva at vevayoginilife.com
You teach yoga both in rural settings and to children and teenagers. What has that experience been like?
In rural settings, yoga is completely different. There, it’s not so much about perfecting poses but about giving people a moment for themselves, something they rarely allow. Most of my students are older women who have cared for everyone but themselves. For them, yoga classes are a breath, a space where they can simply dedicate time to themselves and take care of themselves.
With children, on the other hand, it’s all about discovery. They are the most enlightened people I’ve ever met. Everything surprises them, everything feels special. Teaching them yoga is about reminding them that their emotions are valid and that it’s okay to feel. It’s about giving them that space to express themselves. And for me, it’s a constant learning experience. They teach me to return to curiosity and to live in the present with wonder.
Children [...] are the most enlightened people I’ve ever met
What people have inspired you along your yoga journey? What lessons have they taught you, and why have they inspired you?
Zaira Leal has been one of the greatest inspirations in yoga. She taught me that yoga goes far beyond physical practice; it’s a tool for introspection, for understanding ourselves and connecting with our essence.
However, my greatest source of inspiration isn’t limited to specific names. From every person, from every class, you can always learn something. What’s important is to remember that learning is everywhere and to stay open to new experiences. Yoga, in the end, is about that: a constant curiosity, an openness to letting yourself be inspired and continue growing.
Yoga, in the end, is about that: an openness to letting yourself be inspired and continue growing
If you could talk to your younger self with the experience you have now, what would you say?
I’d tell her that making mistakes is healthy and that it’s okay not to be perfect. I’d tell her not to fear mistakes, and to see them as opportunities to move forward. And most of all, to be kinder to herself, to treat herself with the same care and patience she would have for someone she loves. Making mistakes doesn’t mean failing; it means evolving, and that’s the true learning path.
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Throughout this interview, Veva has guided us through her inspiring journey of personal transformation through yoga. From her first encounter with yoga to her deep connection with the Bowspring method, her story shows us how this discipline can be much more than movement: a refuge, a breath, and a space for healing.
Veva invites us to accept the present moment, to be kind to ourselves, and to see mistakes as opportunities to grow. Her ability to find beauty in the simplest moments, like holding her daughter in her arms or guiding a class in a rural setting, reminds us that yoga doesn’t just transform the body but also the soul. With each reflection, Veva leaves us with a powerful lesson: the connection we seek isn’t outside but within ourselves. Her experience encourages us to live with more intention, curiosity, and openness to learning.
Thank you, Veva, @vevayoginilife for sharing your story and reminding us that there is always a place on the mat to reconnect, breathe, and rediscover ourselves.
