The Beginning

My first contact with Yoga was over ten years ago, when studying at a small university in Germany. I felt 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.

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 with my husband 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, but not knowing what it was. During this unsettling time, I completed several fitness degrees, ran group fitness classes and worked as a personal trainer as well as my existing school teaching job. The regular yoga classes provided an anchor in a mentally and emotionally challenging, exhausting and turbulent time.

The moment everything changed

At seemingly the peak of my fitness and wellbeing, only aged 30, I suddenly felt immense pain in my right foot. 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 provide.

Becoming a yoga teacher

During this first yoga teacher training, in the middle of a session, I was 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.

I completed my second Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Institute. This saw me develop a daily, personalised yoga practice that changed from purely asana (postures) to a more reflective and mindful practice. Under the guidance of my experienced mentor 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.

I don’t believe that yoga transforms. Instead, I feel that yoga helps and supports you to bring back your true, inner self.

Working as a full-time yoga teacher

In December last year, driven by my passion and a deep sense of purpose, I resigned from my school teaching job. I am now working full-time as a yoga teacher!

I now teach:

• Yoga and mindfulness programs to primary school children
• Classes at a private boys High School
• General yoga classes at studios
• Yoga for scoliosis classes
• Chair yoga in an aged care centre
• One-on-one yoga with people from different backgrounds and with various health challenges

I now understand the importance of a wholistic approach. I truly listen to each individual’s story, enabling me to guide and empower my clients on their unique paths.

Thanks to both the 150h Upgrade Course and Yoga Therapy Training provided by The Yoga Institute, I feel well equipped with a wide range of yogic tools to not only teach general yoga classes and personalised practices but to be comfortable and confident to work with individuals with specific health challenges.

I had no idea how this training would open so many possibilities. I feel incredibly lucky to have stepped onto this path, supported by such a caring community and guided by an incredibly knowledgeable, kind and experienced faculty, taking my understanding to a whole new level.

I am now in a great position to take advantage of the opportunities to work therapeutically, as they arise.

 

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