Hi, I’m Ini – a yoga and mindfulness instructor. Though I was born in Berlin, I’ve lived around the globe, from Europe and the Middle East to the Caribbean, and now New Zealand. I love the outdoors, adventure sports, and I am passionate about environmental conservation. I hold a PhD in cell and molecular biology and have a particular interest in chronic illness, and how yoga and mindfulness practices can help those managing long-term health challenges improve their quality of life. What started as a personal wellness journey has now become my mission: to share these powerful practices with others.
My Training
My career and life experiences have shaped my approach to teaching. My yoga journey began in 2002 when I first practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow at university. I continued my physical practice while working as a research scientist, studying chronic illnesses to understand their causes and treatments. Over the years, stress and my own health issues led me to explore gentler forms of yoga and mindfulness. My interest in chronic illness carried over into my personal practice, and I found that these practices significantly improved my quality of life – offering physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
In 2018, I completed my 200-hour Vinyasa teacher training with the goal of sharing these practices with others. Since then, I have continued my education in Yin Yoga and Functional Range Conditioning, and I am now working towards my 300-hour yoga certification. I have also learned Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a scientifically backed approach developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, which I integrate into all of my yoga and mindfulness classes and retreats.
My Approach
Forget the image of yoga as lycra-clad athletes doing headstands – that’s not my yoga. I’m not a gymnast or bodybuilder, and you don’t need to be either.
I believe yoga and mindfulness should be accessible to everyone – regardless of fitness level, flexibility, or health conditions. Whether you are simply seeking more movement in your life, dealing with stress, or navigating chronic illness, I provide a welcoming, non-judgmental space where you can explore how these practices can help you find balance, resilience, and wellbeing.
In my yoga classes, I focus on breath-led movement, using Vinyasa sequences to help you connect with your body, and I incorporate other mindfulness techniques to support your focus and mental wellbeing.
Whether in a group setting, one-on-one, or through custom video/audio formats, my goal is to help you learn a toolkit of practices that can help you enhance your wellbeing. Every class I teach is tailored to each student’s individual needs, with a focus on alignment, variations, and mindful awareness.
I’d love to help you discover how yoga and mindfulness practices can best support your journey, improving your quality of life.
Ini x
As our lives and minds get busier, and the world around us seemingly crazier, yoga and mindfulness practices can help us clear our minds, breathe deeper, and navigate our internal and external world.