Yoga
Yoga had quite an impact on my life. A groundbreaking one, in fact - it changed so much, so drastically, for the better.
Make your breath louder than your thoughts
The following timeline puts all the different places/learnings/teachings I was opportune to experience during my journey in chronological order.
May 2018
Initial Yoga Teacher Training
Samma Karuna, Thailand
This is where it all began. Struggling deeply with depression and addiction I quit my job as developer in Barcelona, started travelling and discovered Yoga. I enrolled in a 200h Yoga Teacher Training Course at Samma Karuna, Koh Phangan, Thailand, an eye-opening experience that changed my life forever. It was also a pretty brutal journey, starting with no flexibility at all. But I have been practicing and teaching Yoga since.
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July 2018
First public studio/resort classes
Wonderland, Orion, The Yoga Retreat
I was given the opportunity to start teaching right away, which made the transition to indeed teaching Yoga much easier. I started giving classes at Wonderland, The Yoga Retreat and Orion Healing Center on the island of Koh Phangan – three beautiful retreat centers with many activities centered around Yoga and hundreds of guests. I remember vividly my first classes: I was absolutely terrified, but also excited and just completely in the flow. I instantly loved it!
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August 2018 – March 2019
Yoga for Muay Thai Kickboxers
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Leading the Yoga classes at the Diamond Muay Thai Dojo on Koh Phangan, Thailand for nearly 8 months was a tremendous experience. The synergies between Yoga and Muay Thai (or any other martial arts training) are incredibly beneficial. Yoga increases flexibility, grants extreme body control and movement accuracy, reduces the risk of injury, speeds up the mental and physical recovery, supports the more intense training regimes, and allows for more frequent trainings. Bringing the Yin to the Yang, a Yoga and Muay Thai success story!
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October 2018
Yoga Nidra Certification
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Yoga Nidra, the Yogic sleep is a fantastic tool to play around with the state of consciousness, like exploring this “going-to-sleep” stage (hypnagogia). I always wanted to learn more, and I was fortunate enough to be able to join a facilitation training with Betty Kah from Pujan Yoga, who has over forty years experience of yoga practice, teaching and working with all forms and levels of Yoga Nidra. It has since then become part of my practice and teaching.
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November 2018
First private Yoga classes
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Perhaps you can imagine my excitement, when I was contacted to teach a private class for the first time. Private classes really are very different from groups, so it was yet another step for me. We met on the beach on Koh Phangan, had a wonderful practice and attracted some visitors (as you can see in the picture). I really enjoy the undivided focus on one student during a private class, perfect for individual alignment. If you feel we could be a good fit, contact me.
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March 2019
Agape Zoe Holistic Gathering
Koh Phangan, Thailand
In 2019, Agape Zoe, the worldwide holistic gathering was organised for the first time on Koh Phangan, Thailand. Five days of Yoga, Meditation, Dance, Workshops, Culture and Nature with local and international artists. This was my first occurrence teaching a Yoga class on such a festival. It was fantastic! Please book me again Toni :)
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April/May 2019
Working with children in Bali
Lovina, Indonesia
The NGO Let's Imagine partnered with the Bali Children Foundation to host a Yoga camp in Lovina, Northern Bali, with around 60-100 students aged 8-18. Their vision is to provide an educational pathway for disadvantaged Balinese children – a journey leading to growth and long term sustainability. What a humbling experience to have been part of this project, giving the poorest children of Bali a moment of peace and happiness through Yoga.
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June 2019
Yoga Teacher at No Name
Goa, India
There is a 'No Name' hostel in Arambol, in the northern part of Goa, where I lived for 2 weeks after my very first arrival in India. I was given the opportunity to teach daily classes, on the rooftop, in sight of the ocean with monkeys watching our practice. The experience is a multi-cultural exchange in a space literally handcrafted by thousands of travellers. I recommend it deeply.
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July 2019
Second Teacher Training Course
Mysore, India
I was already practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and I wanted to deepen my knowledge and also teach it. Therefore, I went to Mysore, India to participate in a 300h Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course at Ashtanga Yoga Mysore. These were 6 challenging and intense weeks of Primary and Intermediate Series of Ashtanga, a transformational experience. Ashtanga really opened my eyes for correct breathing, Pranayama and Anatomy, which I also started studying and teaching. It is the base of it all, the Vinyasa.
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August 2019
Teaching future teachers
Dharamshala, India
I was asked to join the team of Yoga teachers for an upcoming 200h teacher training at Chinmay Yoga in Dharamshala, India. This was a dream come true in one of the most stunning places on this planet, the Himalayas. I was an alignment teacher working alongside the head teacher and gained invaluable insights during these weeks. The picture actually shows parts of McLeod Ganj, the little town where the Dalai Lama resides, while in exile in India. Unfortunately, I was not able to see him at that occasion.
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September - December 2019
The Buddhist Monastery
Pokhara, Nepal
I always wanted to visit Nepal, and when I arrived in Pokhara, the second biggest city of the country, I was invited to live in a Buddhist Monastery in exchange for teaching Yoga. I mean, could it get any better? It did, I met the 2 brothers, Amit and Rajesh. Together we established a yoga retreat center called Holy Garden Yoga, overlooking Phewa Lake and surrounded by Himalayan mountains. The Buddha statue in the picture actually sits on top of the Yoga Shala, which was always a sight to behold.
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September 2019
Interview with Radio Safalta
Pokhara, Nepal
In September 2019 I was interviewed by Radio Safalta in Pokhara, Nepal about the background and benefits of Yoga and more specific Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. This was part of their Talkies Series, where foreigners who engage in social activities in Nepal are interviewed about their projects. You can listen to the full interview on my Youtube channel.
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November 2019
The Ashtanga Pokhara community
Pokhara, Nepal
I noticed a lack of and a demand for Ashtanga classes in Pokhara, but no community or teachers. So I created an Ashtanga Pokhara Facebook group to inform and coordinate, as well as started to teach daily Mysore style and led Ashtanga Primary series. I also trained my friend Rajesh to take over, when I should leave. It was such a good time...
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December 2019
Yoga trek to Panchase Peak
Annapurna Region, Nepal
To finish this crazy year I worked with Kamala Yoga to facilitate a 3-day Yoga trek to Panchase Peak starting from Pokhara, Nepal. Excellent weather and stunning views of the Annapurna range as a daily companion, an awesome group from Australia and Yoga to top it all off. Trekking and Yoga is such a good combination – I will keep offering this, as long as I live here in Nepal. You can see a video of this trek on my YouTube channel.
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January 2020
Yoga Fest Pokhara
Pokhara, Nepal
I was part of the Yoga Fest in Pokhara, Nepal, a cooperation of YogConnection, The Juicery Café and me with around 40 people from all over the world. Pokhara is in the Annapurna area of Nepal, and this is the reason why you get this amazing mix of travellers, characters and stories.
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February 2020
Teaching future teachers 2.0
Pokhara, Nepal
My second opportunity to teach at a Yoga teacher training. Himalayan Yogini is a well established Yoga School in Pokhara, Nepal and we had a very small group of 7 students for a 200h course. I introduced them to a variety of different Yoga styles and traditions and again, gained some invaluable knowledge of how to conduct such courses.
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March 2020
First Yoga retreat
Pokhara, Nepal
In March 2020 I had the opportunity to organise my first Yoga retreat at a small scale. 2 weeks with Yoga, meditation, walks in the mountains, excellent Nepali food (Dal bhat!) and a beautiful location 10min from Pokhara lakeside in an beautiful area called Happy Village (Khapaudi). It was fantastic – more to come! The Covid-19 pandemic hit Nepal just when the retreat finished, and the country went into lockdown.
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April 2020
TTC Anatomy Teacher
Pokhara, Nepal
And it happened again! I was asked to teach at a teacher training course at the Pokhara Yoga School, this time anatomy. I was thrilled. I love anatomy. For me anatomy is more important than any tradition – if the anatomy of your body doesn't allow a certain movement, adapt and variate. I was humbled to teach two daily anatomy classes during a 200 and 300 hour Yoga teacher training to about 30 students. This was my first time teaching anatomy and definitely not the last!
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2021
Ashtanga Teacher | Casa Chakras
Cozumel, Mexico
Miel and Alexis created Casa Chakras, a Yoga retreat center on the island of Cozumel in Mexico. Together we offer experiences centered around Yoga and the Ocean. The location is absolutely breath-taking, come visit us :)
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2023
Group Classes | Lotus Vibe
Bansko, Bulgaria
Ashtanga classes surrounded by the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria where Aksiniya created Lotus Vibe, a Yoga studio with absolutely crazy views. Bansko is a ski resort full of hikers in the summer with a super relaxed atmosphere.
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Ah, one more thing:
Inspired by Ty Landrum.