Yoga for every body
Marcelo Cacique, martial arts instructor
Marcelo Cacique was born in Paraguay and first came to Ibiza 20 years ago and like so many before him he fell head over heels for the island. Now a fully fledged Spanish citizen, Marcelo is busy running a sports club that has a focus on mixed martial arts. The aptly named Fight Club offers classes in jujitsu, capoeira, kettleball, general training and anything fitness related. Four years ago a friend challenged him to try a yoga class thinking that the extreme fitness fanatic wouldn’t last a minute. He entered Hot Yoga Ibiza and has never looked back.
How did you first get into yoga?
I was training with a friend who practiced yoga and one day after a hard session he said to me, “I bet you don’t have the balls to do a yoga class!” And so, you know, that was it. How could I not take the challenge? So I went, I met Sebastien and now four years later I smile when I think that my friend said I would never be able to do it.
Did you feel an instant connection to the Bikram style?
Yes, I think so. With time. When I feel more in my body I can understand other things, concentration comes with that. Before I practiced different kinds of yoga and I was bored, it was too hard for me to look inside. My mind wouldn’t stop. Now, after practicing for some time I realise you never know when the benefits will manifest. That comes with time, it’s a practice. It’s hard! I think that most people don’t pay attention, or don’t realise what there is in the world. I think that with yoga I understand myself and other things better.
Has yoga helped you find balance in the other parts of your life?
Yes! I do lots of martial arts and lots of contact and high impact sports like capoeira, acrobatics and snowboarding. All these sports have a lot of impact on the body. Since I started coming to yoga I hardly ever have to see the physiotherapist anymore. People only stretch for 15-20 minutes before they play sport and it’s not enough. In Bikram we stretch for an hour and half! Also, because I have developed my own methods of teaching martial arts I have combined what I’ve learned in yoga. So, if someone can’t do one thing I can show them another way. Coming to Hot Yoga Ibiza has allowed me to try lots of other things. I like Bikram but I also like ashtanga and CORE 40, it makes me feel good and brings me confidence in myself. Yoga is a place where you can have no fear. And also, the strictness of it helps you to take care of yourself. You build a chain of wellbeing. I don’t want to drink because I want to go to class or I’m not going to eat that because it will make me gain weight and I want to go to classes. Slowly you build a chain of care with each choice you make.
How often do you practice?
Whenever I can. Sometimes it depends a lot on what my body needs. I play sport too so I fit yoga in with my other activities. I practice at least two or three times a week.
What kind of physical and mental benefits do you see in yourself?
Puah! Lots! I’ve had lots of injuries from doing jujitsu, in my knees and ligaments; I couldn’t even sit down properly. Before I was spending 200€ to 300€ a month at the physiotherapist. Now I hardly spend anything. People say to me that yoga is expensive but until you’ve played sport like I have, you don’t know what’s expensive! If I didn’t do yoga I wouldn’t be able to keep doing the other things. I’ve noticed so many changes. I am less anxious and stressed. I am much more calm. I’ve changed my nutrition too… there have been so many benefits all at the same time.
How do you feel if you don’t get to practice?
Weird. Strung out. I am an addict!
Are you still learning things in class?
It never stops! That’s why I like to practice some of the other styles as well. So that I don’t get accustomed to one way. I like to do things that frighten me, to the point where I think I am going to break and then you get through it. That creates happiness, confidence. Even though there are times where it’s hard to motivate yourself, you make yourself go and you walk out of there feeling amazing. Some people take drugs but then you always have the come down. After yoga there is no come down, I’m high the whole day!
How much do you know about the yogic philosophies?
Well, not so much but I am starting to understand it more. Sebastien says that when you practice everyday there are other things that manifest in the body. Not just the physical. You have to undo a lot of the things that weigh you down, it’s hard. It’s a decision, a difficult one. One day I will make that decision, little by little, to go down that road. Everyone who practices knows that it can be scary. You must let go of things that you don’t want to, or that are hard to let go of. So, step by step.
How would you describe Sebastien’s teaching style?
I recommend him to everyone! He’s detailed, with years of experience, I feel really secure with him.
And what is your relationship with him like?
Well, he is very professional. I admire him a lot. The practice, his education and that this is not a fad for him, he’s not here to get rich, he’s here for other things. He always has a smile, he’s always available and always boosting your confidence. I think he sees in me someone who is willing to learn. I’m not playing around here. I see him as someone you can share things with. He treats everyone with respect.
Where do you see your practice going in the future?
My practice is a necessity. It’s such a shame I didn’t come to it earlier. It’s like I said, I am not playing around here. I would love to, if I can, let go of other things so that I can practice every day. I think every human should practice yoga. Not just the different styles but also the way of being with oneself. Yoga isn’t something you can wrap up and say here it’s yours! You have to feel it. It’s hard for me to explain it objectively. I thank my friend for bringing me here all the time because here I discovered a place in myself that I was denying, that I didn’t value before. You find yourself, you realise that with others you are strong but if you can face yourself then you are invincible. I didn’t understand this before. With fighting, with jiujutsu, boxing, you’re always fighting with someone else. With yoga I found myself fighting from another side. So, it has helped me with that, to go places that other people run away from. My goal is to practice more.
