Marlize Joubert is a native South African who grew up in the Capital of South Africa called Pretoria near Johannesburg. One of the South African dialects is called Afrikaans Mwhich is a mix of German, French, Dutch and English. This is a native language only spoken in South Africa. It is Marlize’s first language.


How did you become interested in practicing Yoga?

I was traveling around the world looking to find myself and to become a better person. Years later after I tried many avenues, I realized in Yoga that you don’t find something outside yourself to make you happy, and you don’t become a better person. What you are looking for, pure love, is inside of you all along. You just peal off the layers of your being to get to the diamond. Along in my travels I discovered the practice of Qi Gong, which I studied for about 3 years. I grew up being very involved in athletics and enjoyed a high intensity workout. The Qi Gong allowed me to discover a more spiritual side of myself. I was cycling and studying Qi Gong. I got something great from both worlds. I knew that yoga would be a great fit. I tried it for a year, but couldn’t find a liking in it. Then one day I walked into a yoga studio and it just all hit me. I love yoga! I needed to be ready for it.

What Yoga teachers inspire you and why?

About 5 years ago I discovered Ish Moran at Maha Yoga in Brentwood. That is where it all started for me. Little did I know that it will eventually transform my life. After that I ventured over to Exhale, Center for Sacred Movement, and discovered Saul David Raye who is a phenominal spirit and a very gifted teacher. Because of him I chose to pursue a career as a yoga teacher. He exudes truth and beauty with the words that he shares with his class, during asana practice. People literally hang on his every word. He brings a liquid energy to the practice and it is a lovely experience. Saul David Raye has the way to transport you to a different place. Almost like a story that has a new ending each time. You never know what to expect. I explored further and discovered many amazing teachers. Hala Khouri, Steven Espinosa, Matthew Reyes, Vinnie Marino, Shiva Rea, Erich Schiffmann, Lisa Walford, Jasmine Lieb, Annie Carpenter and many many more…

What have you taken from your Inspirational instructors and brought to your practice?

I bring a liquid and graceful movement to my own practice and incorporate it to my classes I lead, that allows the mind to be so present in the body. The focus stays on the transitions, the moments between the poses, just as much as the poses. It allows my students to be present and aware and to truly enjoy the present for what it is. I strive to put together a creative, always new, memorable class.

What is your personal goal to share your yoga practice?

My goal is to put together a program of yoga for the people of South Africa. The reality of the everyday life of a South African lives a life in fear of death. One in every 3 South African woman get raped. Mostly it is amongst the tribal family members. It is quite sad. My goal is to help the average person be able to establish balance and experience feeling safe and grounded. Another goal is to help people be able to feel safe and secure within their own being. I want to hold a space and guide students through a moment in time where they get to feel so safe that they can really embrace their own inner beauty, and see their own strength and create a life that is safe for themselves so they can surrender into what is. I want them to be grounded in the fearlessness of themselves. I can’t give them that. I can give them space to explore and find that in themselves.

Who is your mentor?

Annie Carpenter is my current mentor. I feel so blessed to be able to work with her one-on-one and study under all her knowledge. I learn every time I take a class with her. She keeps her classes very creative and inspiring. It is something I strive for in my classes. She loves what she does and she is very good at it too. When I decide to take yoga to the rest of the world I have a foundation of wisdom and intelligent teaching that I can pull from.

I want to thank all the teachers that has brought down this ancient wisdom and are making it available for us to absorb.

What would you say to a person to inspire them to start a yoga practice?

Life just gets better. Through yoga you get to experience who you really are. Life gets easier, somehow.. We become more aware of our own nature and that can help us to become better drivers of our own life.

I believe that becoming more of who you are, your life transforms in a beautiful way. It allows you to become more focused, more present and more authentically you. By becoming more present we can really enjoy all the gifts life has to offer and remember it in the every moment to come. The days will stay long when we live in the now. Living in the future makes life much shorter.

My goal is to guide people so their eyes open to a correct perception of what reality is, and bathe in all the positive energy surrounding us and that resides inside of us.

Yoga and the idea of being present allows me to see all the beautiful colors around me.

You don’t have to give up anything to practice yoga. Yoga meets you, wherever you are. After practicing yoga for a while, your eyes open and you let go of things that just doesn’t serve you anymore.

Why do yoga? Should I do Yoga?

“ Just do it”.

“If I can touch or influence the life of one person I have fulfilled my duty as a yoga teacher.”

Marlize will continue to be present and grounded and encourage those around her to share in the joy of “Ata”.

Marlize will continue her quest for a more peaceful South Africa and sharing her joy for the unique practice of yoga that has inspired her. We will be along with her cheering her on every step of the way..

To hear more about Marlize and the phenomenal goals she has set please go to www.marlizejoubert.com