Me: „Hey, do you have some tips for my handstand? I’m practicing and trying now for 4 years.“
@jasonnemer : „You want to do a hand to hand?“
@germanyogaconference 2006. @acroyoga was just born and Jason came to Cologne to assist @dharmayoganyc at his classes… all of which I attended. It was the second Yoga Conference Germany and the first international yoga event I attended.
And it BLEW MY MIND. My initial yoga teacher training and all further studies had been at an Ashram. Super traditional. No music during classes. Mantra and Kirtan only with traditional Indian instruments and guitar, teachers in orange or if not a monk in white pants and yellow shirt. Slow traditional Hatha sequences. Predictable. Clean.
There I found myself in the Maritim Hotel Cologne. Colorful yogis of all ages, all countries, all walks of life. Rock, Hip Hop and Pop music in classes, hot pants in neon colors and creative Asana sequences that were challenging, uplifting and inspiring. A whole new world opened up.
I had denied that creative, juicy, young, playful explorative part of myself in yoga and suddenly, as it was welcomed, something came full circle.
It wasn‘t an either, or… it was AND. And it was beautiful and promising and fulfilling.
I had no clue what a „hand to hand“ was, but before I knew it, I was in a handstand in @jasonnemer’s hands and had a joyful freakout over the magic that unfolded in this very moment.
This brief and powerful introduction to @acroyoga was the beginning of a now 16 year old love affair with a practice that has moved me deeply and has powerfully shaped the path of my own practice, my life choices and my career.
In 2008 @acroyoga offered their 4th Teacher Training in Greece and I was so hooked that I sold my car in order to fund my travel and training. #wherethereisawilltheresawayand oh my, it was the best decision of my life.
I stepped off the trotten path, left in the middle of the university semester for 2,5 weeks of acrobatics, therapeutics and yoga that has changed to way interact with the world forever.
I came back, only to take a full semester off to travel and study and teach. The beginning of more than a decade of building an international network of teaching, conferences, friendships, trainings, deep connections and touching community events.
From burning man and to Greek hot springs, from Indian sunsets to jams in Vondelpark Amsterdam, from the Kuan Si Waterfalls in Luang Prabang to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai… for over a decade I was blessed to live and experience the dream: people of all skin colors, gender identities and non binaries, of all heritages, of all belief systems, of all professional backgrounds coming together to move, connect and play. A magical time full of possibility, hope and joy.
A practice that has moved and pushed me to grow far past of what I think was possible on a personal and collective level. A practice that has forged the pathway for the most epic and colorful memories of my life time.
A practice that has helped me grow the necessary belief in myself and the practice to finally choose my passion and dharma as my professional career. A practice that has empowered me to go heart over head into my story of brave and bold entrepreneurship. A practice that has connected me with brilliant people around the globe crazy and inspired enough to dreamweave an alternative reality.
Thank you life. Thank you friends. Thank you community.
#moveconnectplay
Cover pic: Acro with my dear friend @the_journey_of_nicki at our beloved stretch of beach in Dubai
Pic 2: Lunar Immersion in Goa under the Banyan Tree in December 2016 with my beautiful friend and colleague @yamflow
Pic 3: Fast Acro Posing before getting kicked out by the security in front of the Burj with @pascal.weis photo credits to @aniajames.bigchangecoach
Pic 4: Croc with @pascal.weis during the epic SoLunar Immersion with @acroseeds in Santa Mageritha Ligure in 2018
Pic 5: @ay_fit exercises during the unforgettable Elemental Immersion in Orvieto with @acroseeds photo credits to @wagner_mela
Pic 6: Handstanding at 39 weeks pregnant next to brilliant colleague @theyogimatt at the yoga conference Cologne
Pic 7 & 8: more shots from the epic community in Orvieto.
Pic 9: 2017 Yoga Conference Germany. Star on @pascal.weis at 39 weeks. Photo credits to amazing @hanna_witte_photography
Pic 10 & 11: needle and Catherine's wheel transition on @pascal.weis
Pic 12: Prepping for an epic Lunar Immersion @yogafusion_vienna with my sister @flylightyoga
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