Maria Cruz, is a certified yoga instructor known and recognized for the dedication and passion with which she shares the teachings of yoga. She is also a high qualified and experienced massage therapist.
In her path she attained several certifications in Hatha Yoga, Integral Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga / Yin Fascial Yoga and Trauma Informed Yoga - Maria "lives yoga" as a daily practice of mindfulness and self-improvement. She earned her expertise and fame during many years of teaching groups and private classes in yoga studios , yoga and wellness retreats, surf camps and hotels in Portugal and abroad. She likes to challenge and support her students and herself into becoming a better version of themselves - therefore her classes are well designed to help you explore all possible ways of strengthening your body , connect with your breath and let go of the limitations imposed by the mind. Maria leads her classes with love , empathy and much joy as she guides the students through the challenges of the practice.
Her classes are the reflection of who she is: a joyful and vibrant personality and dedicated heart who's passion is to share the benefits of yoga, weather in a strong vinyasa class or guiding a more meditative and soothing yin yoga class or by using her soothing voice to bring her students into a state of blissfulness during a yoga nidra /relaxation or guided meditation.
Maria truly believes that Yoga is a way of living, a perfect tool to help us connect with our inate intuition, and our true nature of happiness and bliss, and to maintain both good mental and physical health. She is also a qualified massage therapist, trauma healing /breathwork facilitator, fitness and pilates instructor and somatic experiencing student.
“Meet me on the mat”
Maria offers yoga retreats and personalized yoga classes such as Hatha, Vinyasa Ashtanga, Kundalini or Yin yoga, meditation sessions, body & mind therapies that help her clients raise their vibration and balance their energies. “Meet me on the mat” is her invitation to everyone willing to embark in the amazing and rewarding yoga journey of self-knowledge.
Next to the love for yoga as a tool for better living, Maria advocates massage and holistic treatments as complementary ways of practicing self-care and the much needed self-love!
500 hours classical and integral Hatha Yoga teacher training certification with Padma Yoga Portugal and Paramanand Institute of Yoga Sciences in Indore, India.
Yoga Ambassador of Paramanand Yoga.
200 Hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga TTC , Mysore India.
100 Hours Aerial Yoga Teacher Training with Jaya Lab, Lisbon.
70 Hours yin Fascial yoga and trauma informed yoga training with Beta Lisboa
Vital essence breathwork training/ TRE with Beta Lisboa