To help you get to know our amazing instructors, we want to share their personal stories. We sat down with Anna, our resident BEnatal teacher and holistic wellness coach, to find out more about her yoga journey, and how her BEnatal classes and workshops are empowering women in their transition to motherhood. Read Anna’s story below…

How did you become a yoga teacher and wellness coach?

I discovered yoga 10 years ago and immediately grew devoted to it. While going through some tough times in my previous career, working in the music scene as a booking agent, my consistent yoga and meditation practice helped me rise above all the obstacles and fears. Yoga offered me a path to constant improvement and re-discovery of a more authentic self, giving space to a broader sense of what's possible. Eventually, I surrendered to fear and made the bold move to leave the previous job behind travel to India where I learned from some excellent teachers the science and philosophy of teaching yoga. I became passionate about spreading this knowledge to others, facilitating them on their journey of self-discovery.

I had the wish to stand out as a yogi and specialise in something else related to wellness so that I could help even more people. Over a year ago, I met a beautiful soul who studied at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and told me insights about its program. Very quickly I applied to the school and received my training where I learned about more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Rooted in the belief that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all category, I founded Flawsome Yoga Wellness a service that integrates yoga practice, wellness coaching, nutrition advice and encourages healthy lifestyle habits while respecting each unique individuality.

What do you love most about your work? What has been your most memorable moment so far?

Being an expat since I was 20 moulded me a lot, I went through thick and thin and in 2017 I had some major life epiphanies that changed my life completely. I went from a self-centred life view moving to the realisation that life is not about you, life is about everyone else whose life you touch. Helping others is what I love most about my work, in fact, it doesn’t feel like a job, but like a mission, I’m driven to play a significant role in improving the health and happiness of our community of internationals in Berlin and beyond!

The most memorable moment so far was last summer, when one of my clients during her pregnancy decided to come to one of my cooking classes while she was two weeks over her due date. I was impressed by her motivation to join the workshop as she could have popped at any time. Despite how tired she was carrying the unborn baby weight, she stayed for the whole event and had a wonderful time preparing and eating a nutritious 3-course meal. Two days after I received a message from this loving mama, saying that after the great night filled with love and laughter she started to have contractions and the following day her baby girl was born. She also mentioned that the cacao bliss balls gave her the strength to deliver the baby. I had tears in my eyes when I read the text, and I felt genuinely aligned with my sense of purpose.

Who/what inspires you? Why?

Scientists, doctors, teachers, yoga teachers, health and life coaches, motivators, volunteers anyone involved in healthcare whose success is linked to a feeling of contribution and are passionate to give back to the community. I firmly believe that health is a vehicle to get you where you want to be in life, the bigger the overall wellness of each individual the more significantly we can impact the world.

Who should attend the BEnatal classes?

BEnatal class is for expecting mums, new mums, but also great for beginners or anyone who prefer a more gentle and relaxed slow flow. I firmly believe that yoga is an essential practice during motherhood because it works on all the dimensions of the being, not just on the physical. In working on one's energies, it also improves the spiritual level. Practising pre/postnatal yoga will make you understand how special, and unique you are, and how your physical and mental health is primary to you and your family. Another perk of this class for mums newborns are welcome to lie in front of you during this practice!

What can we expect in your BEnatal classes?

BEnatal is a nourishing Hatha-style class especially created for expecting mums and new mums. The class includes some breath-work aka pranayama, mantras and longer savasana and of course a juicy sequence of asanas.

Tell us about your Master Mindfulness and Deconstruct Cravings event on 13th January - who is it for? What can we expect?

My upcoming workshop, Master Mindfulness and Deconstruct Cravings, is going to give you a deeper understanding of how cravings work and how to navigate them learning to approach them with mindfulness. I’m going to lead a discussion on the causes of cravings followed by an interactive session: including a mindful eating experience, and guided meditation.

This workshop is open for everyone but particularly recommended for women during and post-pregnancy. A food sample and tea are included.

Are you ready to move from a place of empowerment? If so you don’t want to miss out. I look forward to working with you in this course and am completely committed to all the positive results you’ll receive.

Interview by Stephanie Cusack

Getting to know: Anna