Instructor Insights: Anja
Anja
Get ready for deep work in Anja’s Power and Yin classes, designed to open the body, heart and mind with humour and compassion!
Fit-focused Qs:
What is your go-to breakfast on a busy morning? I love starting with a hot water/lemon/ginger, followed immediately by coffee! Then after I practice and teach, it’s eggs, vegetables and avocado OR porridge with berries, seeds and nut butter OR a green smoothie/juice, so many epic options! I often have breakfast type foods for lunch and dinner too!
What's your best strategy to stay motivated? Daily meditation is a must, I practice the Vedic style which is 20 minutes in the morning and 20 in the evening. Journalling - it always helps to see your thoughts and goals on paper! I also love reading and getting inspired by others and their stories, as well as surrounding myself with people who constantly inspire and motivate me.
The best thing we can do for ourselves after a workout is... Hydrate! More than you think you need to. Stretch, meditate, rest. Try to stay in the state you have created instead of rushing off to the next thing!
Is there a special dietary regime you follow? What changes have you seen or felt since you have started it? I’m all about intuitive eating, listening to my body, and trying to catch myself out eating emotionally or out of boredom or with any kind of guilt or shame! I try to amp up the veggies and ease up on the gluten and dairy as I always notice the instant benefits to my health and wellbeing. I’m also all about knowing where my food comes from, and sourcing the freshest, organic and responsibly sourced produce I can find. I also don’t drink alcohol and haven’t for about 5 years which as crazy as it sounds has been life changing.
© Anja Mujic
What are your top three exercises to do at home? Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) - There is honestly nothing as good as the first DFD of the day. It instantly wakes up my entire body! Sphinx (Salamba Bhujangasana) - I love this pose because it is so versatile and effective, I could stay in it all day long! I visualise my kidneys getting an actual squeeze, and all of the toxins pouring and dripping out. Revolved head-to-knee pose (Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana) - This one is incredible for the entire side line of the body - hips, QL and spine, ribs, lungs, shoulders, neck. It is so so delicious and honestly makes me feel like my torso is longer and I can breathe twice as deep after a long hold. Also really versatile with lots of variations for every level.
What are your tips to have energy all day? 8 hours of sleep, lots of water, moving the body (especially backbends and inversions!), meditation, napping (my Yin teacher Melanie McLaughlin calls Yin Yoga adult napping), enough time outside in the sun, connecting with mother earth, and a varied diet full of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole and superfoods. I’ve also recently started taking magnesium daily (prescribed by a fully qualified naturopath) which has helped a huge amount. It’s always a good idea to check in with a health professional from time to time for some tests to see if you are lacking in any essentials. Our bodies are such complex systems and they need a lot of time and effort to keep them optimal!
What's your favourite motivational quote? Wherever you go, there you are. Everything you can imagine is real. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.
Quick-fire Qs
Favourite smoothie at My Goodness: Be Smooth
Best Restaurant in Berlin: I moved here a month ago so recommendations are welcome!
Best Bar in Berlin: I'm usually in bed before they open
Best Place to dance in Berlin: Marameo
Favourite exercise: Dance, yoga, and pilates
Least favourite exercise: Running
Silly Qs:
Dog, cats, neither? Why? Dogs! They just make me so happy, instantly!
What's your personal theme song? It changes all the time.
You're stranded on an island. What's the one thing you'd wish you had and why? My soulmate who I'd be happy to be stranded on an island with.