Welcome to your transformative Yoga path! I'm your Yoga Guide who holds space for you to develop a deeper connection to your body, yourself and the world around you.

With an extensive background in working within the holistic health industry and decades of practicing and teaching Yoga, my life has become a path of self inquiry and discovery.

This Yoga journey has taken me all over the world, living and working in different countries; managing a high profile holistic centre in London, running my Yoga studio in Monterey, Californië for over a decade, and teaching teacher trainings internationally.

The journey has also been one of intensity; practicing high level Yoga sessions 6 days a week for many years. Sacrificing time, money, career, even friendships to follow this dedication towards the Yoga.

I finally arrived at a place in life (as a mom, a provider, family member, partner, friend and teacher) , that it wasn't sustainable anymore. The body is wise, will tell you what to do, and so I shifted. I made Yoga work for me instead of the other way around. And from that place I teach; WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

As a Certified Lifetime Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness instructor and Breath Specialist, I blend the traditional teachings from Ashtanga Yoga, Heleen Yoga, Breath, Meditation and Mindfulness into meaningful, transformational classes, courses, and personalized programs.

Start your own transformative journey with me with the use of profound ancient knowledge, teachings and tools!

I was born in the Netherlands
Lived in Germany for 4 years
In London for 4 years
In California for 14 years
In Taiwan for 2 years
As a dual citizen I consider the Netherlands and USA as my home

Started with Sivananda Yoga for 10 years
Then discovered Ashtanga Yoga and practiced under the guidance of Sri K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India
Identified as an Ashtanga Yogi for 16 years
Now identify as a Yogi with an Ashtanga heart

Spent much time in India
To study with my teacher
To learn about the spiritual life
To understand the roots of yoga
And be blessed to meet a living Mahatma

Certified Lifetime Yoga Teacher
Always practicing
Always learning
Always growing
And hopefully that never stops

Spent a lifetime of earnings on workshops, trainings and education
To discover life
But mostly to grow
And learn that experiences are the highest value we can own

Mother of two (the real yoga)
A son named Evan Tomas and a daughter named Maya Lief

Recovered perfectionist
Almost... it's a journey
Often standing in my own way
But more and more with grace

I have my faults
And believe in growth and forever learning
Most of the time I'm enlisted in some course
The pile of books I'm reading are self development related
Although I make myself grab a good novel more often now

Don't take myself or life too seriously
The practice and commitment is serious
But lets laugh!

I LOVE YOGA, IT'S MY HOME

There I was, a 21 year old, in my first Yoga class. Tagging along with a friend.

I thought Yoga was easy, maybe even boring.

But then, at the end of the class we had to lie on our back and were guided through a relaxation. The teacher said: “relax your toes”.... Uuh, WHAT? You can relax your toes? She went on: “relax your big toe”, “relax your second toe”, and then she continued to detail the entire body, even the organs! I didn't know what was happening.

You can feel your toes and relax them? you can feel your organs?

This was such a revelation to me that I suddenly became aware that I was not in touch with my body. I had struggled with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder and didn't truly accept my body.

I had created controlling systems that were the opposite of connecting with my body or even myself.

On top of that, ever since I was a young girl, there was this strong desire for more.

More sense, more understanding, more depth, more meaning.

Oh the irony of my choices... So when the moment in this Yoga class came and I realised how connected you can be to your body and to yourself, it gave me a beautiful answer I'll forever be grateful for. YOGA!

I had found a form of movement that gave me everything I was looking for and needed: balance, depth, spirituality, acceptance, connection, meaning, home, love.

This was it! And it has been ever since.