"Yoga is a way of life, a modality, a way to unite the different aspects of mind and body and spirit, with the rest of my being and doings. Whether I’m driving or eating, having a meeting or shopping, some aspect of the yoga should always be present - it's integrated in the way I communicate with people, in the way I live life."
At the moment I teach by invitation and privately, in addition to online meditation and from May 2024 also an online restorative class on Mondays at 19:30 EET
I am also offering some weekend workshops, or mini-retreats if you will, in Nagu, in the Southwestern archipelago. The next one is to be announced.
After several years of owning and running Purna Yoga Helsinki, the studio I founded in 2010, my focus today lies on sharing the yoga I’ve learned from all different teachers I’ve been fortunate to encounter during all my years of practicing since 1988. Going more in depth by offering Immersions, workshops and retreats. The aim is to help people find tools to better their lives and relationships both with themselves and others, through asana, meditation and lifestyle choices and through finding a deeper connection to themselves.
We heal through our bodies, nutrition, and nature. Not to forget the importance of meditation.
My journey into yoga began on the island of Skyros, Greece in 1988 with Derek Ireland and Radha Warrell.
At the time I was experiencing prolonged symptoms of very severe eczema, which started disappearing during the 14 day long retreat.
It was transforming because it got my digestion going, it really made my skin start healing. It was such a profound physical change, that there was no return.
Through the years of my own healing journey, I have experienced the transformative power of the body, proper nutrition, and nature. It is important to have a diet that supports our personal bodies so that the body can function in the best way possible and heal whatever is not in balance. And it is also important to remember that the diet that works for me may not be the right one for you. And that it may change over time. Above all, I think it’s important to never become fanatical about anything.
Nature has a wonderful power to support balance and often we can find balance and stress release through the healing power of nature. Just walking in the forest and breathing in the air or sitting by the sea watching the waves can have a tremendous calming effect. And I greatly support the idea of giving oneself time each day to do nothing at all.
Teaching that is informed by years of practicing and teaching yoga.
In 1988, I was the first person to begin practicing and teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in Finland. Finding it, was like meeting an old friend. I loved the challenges, how my body and mind got stronger and soon enough I loved sharing the method with others. I kept studying with Derek and Radha for several years and about 15 years into my practice, several years after the passing of Derek, I did an “official” teacher training with John Scott, in Cornwall, UK.
Over the years, my methods of practicing and teaching have changed through both intense study and the work I have done with different teachers along the way.
It was in 2008 that I was first introduced to Purna Yoga, a holistic style of alignment based yoga including pranayama, meditation, philosophy, nutrition and lifestyle where the asana is Iyengar oriented.
In 2010 I completed the 500-Hour and in 2012 the 2.000-Hour Teacher Training program at the Purna Yoga College in Bellevue, Washington, USA.
Since the summer of 2010 I have also completed several therapeutic teacher trainings with Aadil Palkhivala both as a participant and as his assistant. In addition, I completed a training in how to teach teachers in October 2012.
I have taught many 200-Hour Teacher Trainings and been the teacher’s assistant and a co-teacher in more. Also on the 500-Hour level.
In 2020 it was time for me to say good bye and to move on on my own path, so although I’m no longer part of the PY community I will always appreciate everything I learned during those years and in my current teaching all aspects of my learnings are present.
The Power of Love.
I believe that in our essence that is what we are. If we tap into pure love, we can create and attract the type of people that can co-create with us the life we are deep down all dreaming to live. With or through love you can overcome anything, it is the only truly uniting power that we have.
Meditation creates the opportunity to connect with something bigger than what we perceive as ourselves. A way of expanding our consciousness beyond our current field of vision. And of raising our vibration to higher levels. Meditation is such an important part of life - it facilitates living from intuition and helps us release the chains of slavery of our thoughts and constant chatter in our minds. It helps us to feel and act, rather than react.
Asana is there to support meditation.
My main focus is really to help people see that asana is just a small part of what yoga is all about. Yoga really is a means of finding a connection to one’s intuition, the true self, the spirit or soul; whatever it is that you want to call it. The body should serve the soul with the help of the intelligence of the mind.
Asana, the physical practice of yoga is so much more than physical exercise. When done with the right intention, it will help the body stay healthy, supple, and feel alive. And it will make the energy flow and facilitate learning about oneself on many levels. The asana is there to support your body and nervous system so that it can be strong enough for the positive effects of a consistent meditation practice. It will make you feel happier, more peaceful and appreciative of life and all that it is giving you. If that is your intention.
