Other posts from the On a visit to.. series:
- On a visit to… Katie aka The travelling light, Brisbane (Australia)
- On a visit to… Krystal Lynn, Albuquerque (NM, USA)
- On a visit to… Ali Kamenova LA (California, USA)
Today I would like to have a walk with you in a very special city of mine, with also so special person. We are on a visit to a yoga girl who I found on the Internet while searching for more yoga videos for my home yoga practice and since then she became much more than just an “another yoga girl” for me. I felt her as my real friend and soulmate. Her name is Tanya Varbanova and we will have a walk-in in Brussels, Belgium. I am sure that her interview will encourage you to visit the European capital.
But before to start scrolling through the words and pictures I would like to give you more details about Tanya.
Tanya Varbanova is a multi-talented girl from Bulgaria who lives and works in Belgium. She is a contemporary prominent artist and yoga enthusiast. She is developing her youtube yoga channel where she presents her passion for yoga in Bulgarian (which is amazing, because most of the videos are in English).
After reading her interview, I’ve already started to make a list of interesting places for my future trip to Brussels. I hope that you will do the same because her tips are definitely worth it. If you want to give Tanya’s project closer look click here and here to enjoy her artworks.
Namaste,
Moni
(BG) На гости на … Таня Върбанова (Брюксел, Белгия)
How do you imagine the perfect “om trip”?
On the yoga mat in Shavasana. 🙂 If we are talking about real travel, an om trip for me would be travel with no plans or expectations. The plans really stressed me. I love to create adventures while I am traveling, with no rush that I will miss seeing something or I will miss some experience. An “om trip” will involve a loved one, a diary, and many walks in nature, contemplation, tasting local food, and talking with local people.
Can we take an “om trip” to Brussels?
You definitely can. Brussels is one of the greenest European cities with lots of green parks with breathtaking views. With a glass of wine or tasty Belgium beer you can enjoy the romantic sunset. For those who are addicted to chocolate … for sure, you will resonate with the sound “om”. Brussels also is a city of art. Art is everywhere and very often is too much. I am amused by how many performances, concerts, galleries this city could offer to locals or tourists.
Three things we have to take with us while traveling to Brussels?
My om tips don’t include anything obligatory. Just let yourself be surprised.
How to look like the locals?
The locals love to wear beige, gray, and comfortable flat shoes. They are wearing raincoats and very rarely do they are taking an umbrella. When the weather is sunny is almost impossible to find a place to sit in the park because Brusselians take sunbaths there. The beers are highly appreciated. 🙂 And the famous Belgium waffles and fries are more about tourists, the locals don’t buy them so often.
The place you’d like to share with us.
Forêt de Soignes. A magical place, my personal place of escape from the noise and the buildings. Almost every time this place recharges me with its incredible light and scents of plants and flowers depending on which season is. Last week, I saw a roe deer, for example. Every time is so unique.
We can’t visit Brussels without stopping by some museums and galleries. Show us some of your favorites.
Wiels – center for contemporary art. During the vernissage, there is an artist talk and for me, this is the most interesting part because I have the chance to be close to the process of art-making not only to the final result. I am a real fan of every exhibition there.
Xavier Hufkens is one of the prestigious galleries in Brussels and it’s worth visiting if you are in this part of the city. Around the gallery, there are other interesting smaller art places.
For new talents, you could visit Office Baroque, Alice Gallery, and Composite. These galleries are close to each other, maybe just a 10 minutes walk, and close to the center of the city.
What should we try when we’re in Brussels?
Belgium beer and dark chocolate.
Where would you take us for a cup of coffee?
Where would you take us for a yoga practice?
At the Sampoorna Yoga Studio. There is a lot of yoga studios in Brussels but what I love the most is practicing yoga at home. Only then, I am sincere with myself and I am letting my body moves how it wants, more freely than when I am surrounded by other people.
Where can we practice yoga outdoors?
In the parks. Often you can find free yoga practices if the weather is good enough. Just check the calendar YogaBrussels, which I’ve created some time ago, following this idea to promote the outdoor yoga in the parks, etc. The yoga instructors are from different yoga studios.
Do you practice yoga while you travel?
Yes. One of my best practices is during travel. Each place has a different energy and through yoga and meditation, I can feel it more powerful and clear.
Which book do you think will be most suitable for our trip to Brussels?
Every art book.
Where should we head after Brussels?
Only one hour away from Brussels is totally different from the city. I love to go to the seas side. It’s pretty windy out there but I am totally ok with that. We love to kite with friends, or make a picnic and watch the sunset. I am also a fan of long winter walks, I just put on my boots and my raincoat and I am ready to go outside and to refresh my mind and put my thoughts in order. 🙂
I also can recommend you to visit some of the small towns in Belgium with lots of castles, Dinant for example or the magnificent Bruges. For total relaxation you can head to some of the spa destinations – Spa (Belgium) or Aachen (Germany). For those who are fans of the beer, you can always make a road trip to the Belgium abbeys. And last but now least, don’t forget that the big capitals such as Paris and London are just one-two hour by train.
The photos are kindly provided by Tanya Varbanova. Credit: Tanya Varbanova
Who is Tanya Varbanova?
I am based in Brussels where I do art and yoga. This year I’ve started a youtube channel where I am uploading my yoga videos in Bulgarian. YouTube Yoga Channel
YogaBrussels: https://www.facebook.com/PowerYogaBrussels/
Art: https://varbanova.wordpress.com
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Beautiful shots. Looking into it for our trip to Europe this year.