The beginning

My Yoga journey began over fifteen years ago, when studying at a small university in Germany. Feeling incredibly overwhelmed, confused, unable to breathe properly and sore after my first Yoga class, I quickly decided that this seemingly new, hippie trend, called Yoga, was not meant for me.

Dance.jpg

A few years later, a friend suggested I attend a Yoga class with her and this time the experience was completely different. The teacher touched on the pillars of this ancient philosophy and sparked my interest immediately.

When moving to Australia in 2011, I left my dear family, long- lasting friendships, great colleagues and an enjoyable job behind. I was struggling to find my place in this new life and was constantly ‘searching’ for something, not knowing what it was. During this unsettling time, I completed several fitness degrees, ran group fitness classes and worked as a personal trainer alongside my existing school teaching job. Attending regular Yoga classes provided me with an anchor in a mentally and emotionally challenging, exhausting and turbulent time.

The moment everything changed

At what seemed to be the peak of my fitness, health and wellbeing, only aged 30, I suddenly felt immense pain in my right foot and was barely able to walk. I was soon diagnosed with early onset arthritis. Being told that I simply had to “live with it”, I went into total denial and instead researched complimentary healing modalities. I then decided to complete a Yoga teacher training to educate myself about this ancient philosophy and the healing power it could possibly provide.

Becoming a Yoga Teacher

During this initial Yoga teacher training, in the middle of a session, I was suddenly overcome by a warm, comforting feeling of 'coming home'. Right then and there, I knew I had arrived and that this was exactly what I had been looking for. From that day on, my passion for Yoga grew and further education followed.

My second Yoga teacher training at The Yoga Institute helped me to develop a daily, personalized Yoga practice that changed from purely asana (postures) to a more reflective and mindful practice. Under the kind support of my highly experienced teachers and mentors, as well as the studies of the Yoga Sutras, I started to slowly unfold the layers of my own existence and to work through painful issues and experiences, buried deep within me.
A rollercoaster of emotions, thoughts, enlightening and disheartening moments followed.

Six months later, after my diagnosis, I was completely symptom free.

Working as a Yoga Teacher / Yoga Therapist and mentor

In December 2017, driven by my passion and a deep sense of purpose, I resigned from my school teaching job. Over and over again, I have witnessed the powerful benefits that Yoga has to offer and I am determined to bring this ancient practice to other people and into the health care system.

I am now working full-time as a Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist.

Currently, my work includes:

  • Teaching one-on-one Yoga to people from different backgrounds and with various health challenges (my main focus is mental health, cancer, women’s health and neurological disorders and intellectual disability)

  • Teaching trauma sensitive and trauma informed classes for teenagers and adults

  • Teaching Yoga for scoliosis, posture and healthy backs

  • Teaching therapeutic Yoga classes in hospitals, community centers, chiropractor clinics and physiotherapy clinics

  • Teaching chair Yoga in aged care centers (dementia unit) and for people with intellectual disabilities

  • Teaching programs for teenagers at High Schools

  • Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness programs for Primary School children

  • Running Yoga/ Mindfulness workshops for school teachers and corporates

  • Teaching general Yoga classes at studios

  • Mentoring new Yoga teacher trainees at The Yoga Institute

  • Supporting Yoga Australia as the NSW State Representative

Based on my own experience with an unhealthy body image, a racing mind and arthritis in its early stages, I now understand the importance of a wholistic and integrative approach. We are all much more complex than just our appearance or any diagnosis given. A wholistic approach inquires into health and wellbeing on many levels, such as the physical, energetic, mental, emotional and social body in order to bring balance into all aspects of life. This requires to truly listen to each individual's story in order to guide and empower each client on their unique paths.

With my own personal journey, kindness, compassion, knowledge, experience, and infectious enthusiasm, I make the experience of Yoga real, authentic and accessible to everyone. I strongly believe in a wholistic and integrative approach to health and wellbeing, and provide a non-judgmental, caring and inspiring space for people's unique differences and individual journeys.

Qualifications:

  • Yoga Therapist registered with the International Association of Yoga Therapists

  • Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Australia

  • iRest® Level 1 Teacher

  • Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teacher

  • Chair Yoga Teacher

  • Peaceful Kids Certificate- Mindfulness for children

  • NSW accredited school teacher with ten years of teaching experience in Germany and Australia

  • Certificate III in Fitness

  • Certificate IV in Fitness

  • PunchFit Boxing Certificate

  • Cycle Exel Spin Certificate Level 1 & 2

  • Bootcamp Australia Certificate Level 1 & 2

  • Senior First Aid and CPR