Instructor Insights: Mascha
Mascha
Meet Berlin-native Mascha! Her Power and Yin Yoga classes will open up and stretch your body, but most importantly, they will help you connect to your true self.
Fit-focused Q's:
What is your go-to breakfast on a busy morning? I'm a juicer! I usually make a juice from celery, apple, cucumber, ginger, spinach or whatever else my fridge has to offer. Green juices get me going but sometimes I mix it up with purple and orange ones.
© Mascha Kuchejda
What's your best strategy to stay motivated? I am mostly motivated by staying in touch with my yoga "students". I just learn so much from them: how to improve my classes, what they like and what they don't, where their limits are and what they need to work on. Also, a simple smile on their faces after class makes me happy and makes me REALLY believe in what I am doing. When I can give someone a real yoga-moment (when you felt it, you know what it is) that's just pure bliss for me. As for my personal fitness routine: I can honestly say I don't even need to be motivated. Yoga, in all of its forms: meditation, concentration, dedication, asanas, pranayama ... it is a daily practice for me and I miss it instantly if I don't do it. I want to pass on to others what yoga gave to me.
The best thing we can do for ourselves after a workout is... CHILL HARD. Especially after an intense workout. Your body needs to rest. Do a restorative Yin practice or 5-10 minutes of Viparita karani: put your legs up the wall, full upper body flat on the ground - it is pure magic for your nervous system!
Is there a special dietary regime you follow? I feel like a particular and restrictive regime never worked for me. I try to listen to my body and eat whatever it needs. I try eating a lot of veggies (except I never eat raw veggies in the evening) but that is all. I occasionally do intermittent fasting (14 hours between meals) - and that works really well. You feel lighter in the mornings as your body can detox over night. Highly recommended!
What are your top three workouts you do at home? 1. Restorative: viparita karani (see above) 2. Breath work: Nadi Shodana pranayama which is alternate nostril breathing for balance and mental focus 3. A nice chest and shoulder opener - Anahatasana or Puppy pose: start on all fours and extend your arms forward and relax your chest while facing your forehead down. stay for 2-3 min.
© Mascha Kuchejda
What are your tips to have energy all day? It's all about balance. I think an intense workout or yoga practice in the morning is great, but a relaxing restorative practice is more appropriate for the evenings after a stressful day at the office or so. Again: listen to your body. You need time to recharge your batteries, so mix in some chill time with whatever you do.
What's your favourite motivational quote? In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself. – Jiddu Krishnamurti
Quick-fire Q's
Favourite smoothie at My Goodness: Oh Kale Yeah
Best Restaurant in Berlin: It changes all of the time. I guess my all time favorite is Cassambalis in City West: it has really fresh Greek food, amazing fish, and great pulpo.
Best Bar in Berlin: Bar Milano.
Best Place to dance in Berlin: Ecstatic dance parties. Once you’ve tried it, you can't go back! You dance barefoot to the sounds of drums, there are healthy people and positive vibes... You come out and feel like you’ve just spent 5 weeks on vacation!
Favourite exercise: Dancing plus handstand practice.
Least favourite exercise: Gomukhasana, which is shoelace or cow face pose. It stimulates the gall bladder meridian and I am in utter pain when I do it.
Silly Q's:
Dog, cats, neither? Why? DOGS. I've really tried to like cats, but I have a cat allergy and I think they are mean. They pretend to be nice and then they put out their claws. Yikes.
What's your personal theme song? "This must be the place" by Talking Heads and "Open" by Rhye.
You're stranded on an island. What's the one thing you'd wish you had and why? I'd say a good friend who happens to be really hot. And my personal theme songs of course!