TEACHERS

Isabella first met yoga in 2003 when she sought help for an injury from running. When she discovered the many positive benefits of yoga practice she began exploring different yoga styles and quickly found Ashtanga yoga which she has been practicing since. She has been teaching full time since 2009 and in 2014 she received Sharath Jois’ blessing to teach the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga. In the summer of 2016 Isabella participated in a 2 month special course for teachers with Sharath Jois. Since then she has also twice had the privilege to assist him in class for a full month at the main shala in Mysore (January 2018 and 2019) .

Since she started practicing yoga she has been fortunate to practice and study with several senior Ashtanga Yoga teachers such as Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, Eddie Stern, David Swenson, Maty Ezraty, Susanna Finocchi and Eileen Gauthier. Prior to Ashtanga yoga she also studied the Dynamic Yoga Teaching Method with Godfrey Devereux and is qualified to teach this particular method. She has regularly returned to India to further her yoga practice, study and to further deepen her chanting skills and studies of yoga philosophy and Sanskrit.

In addition, Isabella is a certified yoga therapist for mental health (depression, anxiety, trauma), a qualified lifestyle coach and relaxation therapist. She has devoted much of the past twelve years of her yoga practice and teaching to study end explore how yoga affects our nervous system, our mental health and in particular how the practice can help increase our resistance resilience and ability to self-regulate. Currently Isabella is finishing a 300h teacher training in Traumainformed yoga (TAY) with Josefin Wikström. 

Before yoga, Isabella worked in international politics and was employed by both the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the European Commission. She has a Politices magister in political science and a Master in East and Southeast Asien studies and has lived and worked on several continents.

Isabella has over 20 years of experience from working in health and fitness worldwide and has studied both anatomy and movement mechanics extensively. She is the head teacher and owner of Ashtanga Yoga Malmö. Her teaching style is inclusive and aims to create a safe space for all students. She follows a gentle approach with particular focus on breath to cultivate sensitivity and awareness of the body and mind. Her teaching method allows students to practice yoga safely through a step by step approach.

Isabella is very grateful to all the teachers and students she’s met on her yoga journey: “They have taught me to become more patient and humble towards myself and others. They’ve helped me realise that anything is possible and that every individual has an enormous inner potential that is waiting to be discovered.”

For more information about Isabella you may download her CV/list of QUALIFICATIONS.

Helena is a qualified dancer and occupational therapist who ran her own dance studio in Malmö for 10 years. She came to yoga through a former Pilates teacher, liked the flow of Ashtanga yoga and took up the practice. Since then she has delved deeper into yoga and participated in several workshops with international teachers such as Eddie Stern, Peter Sanson, Jörgen Christensen, Ann Svärdfelt, Petri Räisänen, and Anne Nuito. She has also travelled to Mysore, India twice where she studied with R. Sharath Jois for a month each time. Helena has been an apprentice with Isabella since 2019 and during the years 2019/20 and 2023, she participated in two special in depth courses under Isabella's guidance. Helena teaches foundation class/courses level 1 and 2 in Malmö and regularly assists or covers the morning mysore classes.

“Yoga gives me inner peace. From pushing to be "the best at everything" my practice has helped me realise and accept what is best for my body and health at any given moment”, Helena says.

Katie was introduced to yoga by her mother as a teenager and she has practiced various forms of hatha yoga since the early 2000s. After having had two children, she sought a way to recover from childbirth and in 2020 she found the Ashtanga yoga method. From being a form of physical therapy, Katie's interest in Ashtanga grew with the mental and emotional benefits she experienced from a regular practice. She feels that her yoga & meditation practice has made her a more stable, compassionate person. Since the spring of 2024, Katie is taking part  in the apprenticeship programme at Ashtanga Yoga Malmö under the guidance of Isabella. She regularly assists at the shala and also helps out at the beginners course on Mondays.

"Yoga helps me practice being ok with whatever is arising. If I can ground my feet and listen to my breath, I can find a gap between myself and my thoughts. Sometimes a gap is all you need to open your heart and choose your next move with sincerity and grace." says Katie.

Tao is originally from China but lives in Malmö since a few years. She was introduced to ashtanga yoga in 2017 through a free training card from the company she worked for in China. At the time, she was under a lot of pressure at work and her health was suffering. Tao was immediately captured by the ashtanga yoga method , which she felt gave her a noticeable increase in energy and a sense of inner balance. Since the spring of 2024, Tao is taking part in the apprenticeship programme at Ashtanga Yoga Malmö under the guidance of Isabella and she regularly assists at the shala. She has also had the opportunity to participate in yoga teacher training with Mark Darby.

"Yoga has taught me to connect with my body, to face different challenges, and to maintain emotional stability and joy. These are invaluable lessons that guide me as I continue my yoga journey," says Tao.

Viktor found yoga 6 years ago after an injury that made it necessary for him to change his approach to physical training. He found yoga interesting as he felt it offered a combination of mobility training and a way to reflect and gain better self-awareness. The Ashtangayoga method helps him stay strong and healthy while the philosophy of yoga alongside the physical practice has led him to have a calmer and healthier lifestyle. Since the spring of 2024, Viktor is taking part in the apprenticeship programme at Ashtanga Yoga Malmö under the guidance of Isabella. He regularly assists at the shala and helps out at the foundation course level 2 on Wednesdays.

"Throughout my practice. yoga has taught me to reconnect with my body, that consitency and patience can take you along way, and that an asana is just an asana (there’s no need to stress)”, says Viktor.