Our Team

Erika Smith Iluszko Studio Owner | Meridian Yoga Practitioner

My love for movement and spirituality was evident from an early age. I started Dance, Karate, and learning about Eastern Medicine in my childhood. After devoting and following the eight limbs of yoga for about 2 decades, I decided to do the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Madras, India. Since then, I have attended numerous trainings and workshops which had a huge impact on the way I teach.

My teaching style is a unique blend of all the knowledge I’ve gathered, compassion, and playfulness. My classes are inclusive, catering to practitioners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned yogis. With a focus on alignment and breath, I try to guide my students to deepen their practice, cultivate self-awareness, and develop a profound sense of mindfulness. I see nothing external to my yoga practice as I find everything in life is deeply connected and that ultimately no teacher is greater than the one within.

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Teaching yoga has shown me that my students really will always be a great source of learning. That I need to listen to them, to what they say and to what they don’t say. Opening myself with patience and compassion to the fact that each student offers unique insights into the practice of yoga and yoga teaching helps me to stay grounded in the realities of my students. I honor, respect and utilize these insights – these are my key foundations for being the best teacher I can be.

Here at Manas Yoga, I teach a variety of classes including Fascia Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Yoga and Myofascial release classes.

I offer yoga therapy, cupping therapy, Thai yoga massage and yoga teacher apprenticeships and am one of the lead teachers in the Manas Yoga teacher training program.

With warmest regards,

Erika

Lisa Waygand Yoga Teacher

My Yoga Journey started about 8 years ago by randomly trying out different classes at a gym. I always thought Yoga wasn‘t for me but there I was, finding the peace of mind I desperately needed.
What you need in life, will always find you, if you let it happen.
After years of practicing and joining retreats, I wanted to learn more about Yoga and its‘ philosophy, getting a better understanding of what I was actually doing, which led me to finish my first Hatha Yoga teacher training in 2022.
I didn’t feel ready to teach until I recently completed another 100-hour Meridian teacher training here at Manas with Erika.
Yoga had such a positive impact on my life and I simply wanted to give something back.
It taught me, that whatever happens in the outside world, I can always come back to myself.

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Jovita Susanna Horn Iyengar Yoga Teacher

One of my favorite sayings is: “With deep gratitude I say YES to life – let’s go”.

I worked for many years domestically, and internationally for companies in project management. The last 5 years I worked in the health care industry. After that I changed my direction semi-spontaneously 😊 and have been teaching yoga for several years now in group, private classes and on retreats and am a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. I am a Shiatsu therapist and offer coaching for personal development.

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The individual, respectful and appreciative work with my clients is very important to me. Seeing each client at their full potential in the present moment allows me to support them much better. Every person is unique, and recognizing that just makes the work incredibly joyful and meaningful. I love nature, yoga, dancing, music and laughter. I love life and my students say that my enthusiasm for it is incredibly contagious and motivating.

Yoga for me is:
- more than a string of asanas (exercises). For me it is the study of ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, where we can learn a lot about ourselves from lesson to lesson.
- mindfulness of the very precise, detailed work with the body.
- the uniqueness of each person.
Come by – try it out – let yourself be inspired with my Iyengar Yoga classes! I teach in German, English and Spanish.

Kisses,
Jovita

Annemarie Lombard Puntschart Yoga Teacher

AKA Annemarie VENUSfrequency is an Austro-American, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Reiki Master, Holistic Body Wisdom Guide, Public Speaker, Photo Storyteller, Radio producer and DJane; in short, Soul Artist and Modern Medicine Woman.

I started practicing yoga in the Jivamukti tradition more than 20 years ago in New York’s East Village. In 2003, a severe skydiving accident dramatically, yet mindfully and gently redefined her connection to body, mind, soul, PRANA (LifeEnergy), her yoga path; and community.

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True to my motto #raisevibrations #healtogether, it is my goal to convey a unique feeling of power and presence that comes from within you, in my yoga classes, ceremonies & holistic body wisdom treatments. My sessions are always a gentle call to self-empowerment, personal responsibility and a playful experience of Life Energy as it flows within us; a recognizing, experiencing and building stable and secure foundations based on our True Nature.

VENUSfrequency is also a yogic radio show and podcast on RadioOrange. Alias ”tune in, rather than tuning out” LIVE every Friday at 7 a.m, archived versions available as podcast, – yogic themes accompanied with “carefully curated” playlists, from pop to techno, downtempo to hip hop and from spiritual chants to classical music. I not only arranges music for my podcast, but also DJane’s at yoga festivals and invites to neo-shamanic TranceDanceRituals again and again.

Here at Manas Yoga, I teach Gentle and Vinyasa Flow, and Yin Yoga. My classes are taught in English and German.

Here at Manas Yoga, Annemarie also offers yoga workshops, other services and special yoga events.

Kieana Shirzadeh Yoga Teacher

My mom signed me up for my first ballet class before I turned 3 years old and took me to my first yoga class as a teenager. But it wasn’t until I moved to Vienna about 10 years ago, that “things got serious”. I did my first training in 2015 and started teaching full-time shortly after. With the years, some more teacher trainings all over the world, as well as a lot of dedication, my practice as well as my teaching style have changed and evolved a lot.

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In my classes, I aim to create a safe environment for all participants, to explore the capabilities of each individual body and mind. Even though the human body is finite, the possibilities we have to navigate that very same body on the mat (or even through life) are close to infinite. Through intuitive, intrinsic movement and sequencing, we will explore those possibilities on our mats, to take with us into the real world. There is no right or wrong, just a constant trial and error of what serves you, your body and your needs – and what doesn’t.

My classes are held in German and English.

Yvonne Oswald Yoga Teacher

My yoga journey began 8 years ago, looking for a solution for my back pain. Pretty soon I noticed the positive effect a regular practice had on my body and mind, making yoga a big part of my everyday life. Yoga challenges me and at the same time it is my haven of peace.
Through my yoga teacher training, I was able to improve my own practice and discovered my passion for teaching. I work a lot with yoga beginners and love to accompany them on their own yoga journey.

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For me, it is especially important to create a comfortable well-being atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and safe. It is a great feeling to help yogis master yoga positions that they themselves thought were impossible.
Also I am a fan of yoga props and work a lot with them in my classes.

At Manas Yoga Studio I am teaching Yin Yoga on Tuesdays at 18:00 and a Vinyasa Flow class at 18:30 on Thursdays. My classes are held in German and English.

Daniel Plötzl Ashtanga Yoga Teacher

In 2016, I had an accident with my bicycle after which I needed to use crutches for around one month in order to be able to walk. After my recovery, my mobility was still not 100% the same again as it was before the accident. Many muscles degenerated while I was walking on crutches and the tissue of the area where I had injuries had hardened. Moreover, in general, I noticed that my body was quite stiff due to lack of movement and sitting on chairs many hours per day because of my desk job.

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At some point, I started to practice yoga and after some time I realised that my body was becoming more flexible and light. My yoga practice also gradually worked out bodily imbalances I was not aware of before, most likely stemming from old injuries. Then, in summer 2018, I joined a workshop with Kirsten Berg and Mitchell Gold who both were direct long-term students of Sri Pattabhi Jois in Mysore. This was my first contact with (Mysore-Style) Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and the Primary Series. Mitchell asked me if I wanted to join them when they teach in Morocco only a few weeks later, so I did and received private classes and a lot of input after the practice on the mat. At that point, I realised that the steady, continuous practice had a tremendous impact on my flexibility and balance, but also on concentration and focus.

Finally, during my sabbatical year in early 2020, I went to India again and went to Mysore to join the Mysore Yoga Traditions Retreat and Conference, already guessing somehow that my idea about yoga might broaden and expand quite a bit. Indian Sanskrit scholars, professors and senior yogi(ni)s gave 2-3 lectures every day for almost 2 weeks about asanas, but also about Pranayama, Mudras, Dhyana, Ayurveda, Samkhya (the theoretical foundation of yoga), Mantras, Chanting and other important aspects of yoga.

Most interestingly, I also learned that the Primary Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is known in Sanskrit as “Yoga Chikitsa” which translates as yoga therapy. It is a healing process which gradually works out bodily imbalances while simultaneously releasing trapped emotions and opening energy channels, cleansing not only the body but also the mind and the senses. Understood correctly, it is considered accessible for almost anyone. In the beginning of 2023, I spent 2 months in Mysore again studying Ashtanga yoga with BNS Iyengar and Vijay Kumar.

I teach led classes of the Primary Series, guiding you through the sequence while taking into consideration that all bodies are different and, therefore, giving variations for certain asanas if needed. When practiced on a continuous and regular basis while being patient, not forcing yourself into any asanas, this yoga therapy will soon trigger the healing process for you too and you will get ready for the higher stages of yoga. My classes are held in German and English and Spanish.

„Rid your body of its impurities, let your speech be true and sweet, feel friendship for the world, and with humility seek wealth and knowledge” (Sri T. Krishnamacharya)

Marie-Louise Lobmeyr Yoga teacher

As a yoga teacher, Marie-Louise aims to cultivate your connection to yourself on three levels: body, mind, and soul. In her Vinyasa Flow classes, you will engage in various aspects of yoga such as pranayama, meditation, and mantra chanting, alongside movement through asanas. Marie-Louise is deeply fascinated by the timeless wisdom of yogic philosophy, which has remained accurate and relevant throughout history, persisting into the current timeline. Her classes are held in German and English.

Sandra Walkenhofer Yoga Teacher

After exploring various styles of yoga, I found my home in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga back in 2013, and it has remained a steadfast part of my life ever since. While I initially embarked on my yoga journey for its physical benefits, I soon discovered its profound depth beyond the postures alone.

Yoga extends far beyond the mat, encompassing virtues such as patience, mindfulness, consistency, and discipline. It’s about pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and occasionally stepping back to let go of the ego. The practice continually shifts our perspectives, both physically and mentally.

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Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga follows a traditional sequence, offering a moving meditation where practitioners gracefully flow through the poses at a steady pace guided by the breath. While it provides an intense and invigorating experience, my aspiration is to make Ashtanga accessible to every-body.

The Ashtanga Light classes offer a gentle approach to the dynamic practice. With a focus on mindful movement, breath awareness, and accessible variations of postures, this practice is suitable for practitioners of all levels seeking a balanced blend of strength, flexibility, and relaxation.

My classes at Manas Yoga are characterized by precision, vibrancy, cheerfulness, and liveliness, reflecting the essence of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. My classes are held in German and English.

Jasmin Khafagi Yoga Teacher

My Yoga journey started on a retreat in Nepal. After this wonderful introduction into the world of Yoga and meditation my whole life turned around and I had no other choice but to commit myself fully to the practice and the teachings of Yoga. These teachings have helped me through various stages of life and gave me the stability I was always craving for.

What I love about Yoga is that it teaches us to walk through life with mindfulness and compassion. Through the asana and meditation practice we can discover how emotions and sensations arise and fade.

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This increased awareness gives us the chance to recognize patterns that influence our everyday life and our interactions with each other and with ourselves.

I am more than grateful that I found my way to a holistic yoga practice and even more grateful that I can share and exchange my knowledge and experience with other people.

Here at Manas Yoga, I teach Ashtanga Vinyasa led and a core strength yoga class. My classes are taught in English and German.

Mimi Grünwald Yoga Teacher

Dancing led me to yoga 25 years ago and I am learning everyday since. It has given me the tools to endure, focus, integrate, heal and so much more.

I am trained in Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Aerial Yoga and love to use the magic of breath and the frequency of music to get into the flow. Yoga can be a holistic healing system if you‘re ready to dive deep. It‘s not only light but also integrating the shadow aspects and embracing ALL aspects of self.

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I personally don’t like the term teacher rather facilitator. I am here to share the experience and guide u to your inner healer. It‘s all within you!

A big focus is sharing space with everybody, especially BIPOC folks who often are excluded within the yoga community.

Every Monday I will be teaching Vinyasa for BIPOC and a regular Vinyasa Flow class, my classes are held in English and German.

Yordanka Schlamberger Yoga Teacher

My name is Yordanka, and I am 33 years old, originally from Bulgaria. Yoga with its various aspects has been accompanying me through my life since I was 15 (on and off.) I started learning meditation to improve my concentration and ability to sit still, which I needed as an active chess competitor back then. What I initially started as a tool to optimize my performance turned out to be something to protect my mental health and help me deal with anxiety and depressive episodes.

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As an overthinker since an early age, Yoga philosophy provided me with answers, and Asana helped me to get out of my head and bring awareness into my body. Later on, I balanced all the mental activities with Sports education, and I love exploring the parallels between yoga and Sports Science. Since yoga is my biggest passion, I traveled to India to “learn from the source”, and I am constantly improving and taking workshops and trainings.

In my teaching, I focus on providing the most suitable techniques and approaches to my understanding for the students I am having in the class and doing my best to adapt the sequence and the pace according to their needs.
I typically teach Hatha, Vinyasa, and Power Yoga and I implement Pranayama, Meditation, sometimes also elements from Yin Yoga, Prana Kriya, the Ashtanga method, and other styles.

Here at Manas Yoga, I teach Morning Flow and and a Gentle Flow class. My classes are held in German and English and Bulgarian.

Vasiliki Karydopoulou Rocket Vinyasa Yoga Teacher

My yoga journey began 10 years ago. When I was facing some physical problems. Then I said ”I’d give it a shot and try visiting a yoga class”.
That was it!!! When I got home my partner noticed that something had changed…and so did I! Since then not a day has passed that I am not in touch with yoga, with life itself. The path was paved!
So after the birth of my first daughter I decided to do the first yoga teacher training in traditional Hatha yoga and from there to continue my personal practice with Ashtanga. Rocket yoga came my way after 2 years where I did my first teacher training.

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What I love about Rocket Yoga, is that students can modify and make their interpretation of the traditional asana. If they get stuck with a pose, they can skip it or find easier ways to practice instead of rigidly sticking to a pattern. It is perhaps a less rigid and more creative way of looking at the Ashtanga method without losing sight of the traditional heritage.

My mission is to assist individuals in achieving through the practice of Yoga, a more honest, heart-driven manner to approach life itself, offering a way to more acceptance and balance. I am tunnel focused on optimizing every class, bringing the aspects of conscious being to the forefront and leading my students with love and compassion. My classes are held in Greek and English.

My motto: “The more you practice, the closer you get…!”

Volker Lobmayr Yoga Teacher

Yoga entered my life in 2005 upon the recommendation of a friend who noticed that I was struggling with anxiety and pain in my chest. I started attending a weekly Yoga class and soon my body began to loosen up and become more flexible, I learned to breathe openly and my chest pain subsided.

This sparked my curiosity about what would be possible if I trained my body and mind on a more regular basis. After a 5 week-long Yoga training in Thailand with 4 hours of Yoga practice and 2 hours of yoga philosophy a day while sticking to a vegetarian diet and refraining from coffee, alcohol, and nicotine I felt physically and mentally better than ever before.

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I then went on to practice Iyengar- and Kundalini Yoga in Spain for several years and then went to India for 6 months to attend a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and dive even deeper into Yoga and meditation. Vipassana silent retreats and Buddhist meditation courses helped me gain a deeper understanding of the mind and how it works.

The Yoga classes I have been teaching since 2011 in Vienna emphasize on focusing the mind, posture, body alignment, and physical sensations while observing and cultivating a calm respiration. I like to go into detail and use props (blocks, belts, blankets, or a wall) to help students gain a better understanding of their bodies on an experiential level and feel more connected. It’s been very fulfilling and humbling for me to accompany practitioners on their path to a healthier and more balanced life.

Here at Manas Yoga, I teach yoga classes in German, English, and Spanish. Let’s practice, experiment, and grow together in a safe and joyful space.

Alicja Zobniow Yoga Teacher

I had been looking for a sport that captivated me for years and had already tried a few things until my father enthusiastically took me to an Ashtanga yoga class 8 years ago, and I can still remember the incredible moment of success when I managed to do a headstand on the wall. In the beginning, like many beginners (but also advanced practitioners), I practiced yoga with a lot of zeal, ambition and pressure so that I could experience these moments of success again and again. I became addicted to pushing myself to my own limits and trying out new styles again and again! For this reason, I traveled to Rishikesh, India in 2018 for the Yoga Teacher Training to get better and fully focus on it, but also a bit of an escape from my poor mental state at the time.

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There, however, I was brought down to earth. I wanted to run away but was confronted directly with my thoughts and feelings during the repetitive routines and agonizing silence and so I realized what yoga and meditation really is and how powerful and healing it is for both body and soul. Yoga started my journey of self-reflection, mindfulness and self-acceptance: listening to my body and my consciousness, giving them what they need, respecting them and not overstepping their boundaries and always bringing them back to the here and now, which then had a hugely positive effect on my quality of life. That’s why yoga has remained in my life to this day, has become an integral part of my well-being and I simply can’t imagine life without it. Now I want to share this experience with others.

I teach basic yoga for beginners here at Manas every Saturday at 3 pm. The class is based on traditional Hatha Yoga and dynamic elements with a focus on learning the basic asanas correctly in order to build a stable foundation for your own yoga practice. My classes are held in German and English and Polish.

Darya Kondrateva Yoga Teacher

For me, Yoga is an awakening through the discipline of body and mind. The senses become clearer and more vivid, and once can see the connection between everything: you and me, and others, the outer world and the inner, your body and your spirit.

It reminds me of the Russian doll, Matreshka, where one doll is inside another, and they can be unvieled one after another, endlessly. It’s the same with Yoga. You can start with the first layer – physical body- and gain access to an incredible amount of knowledge within.

My class is an intense flow, suitable for all levels of practitioners, combined with breathwork, meditation and relaxation at the end.

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Throughout each session, I’m dedicated to actively guide and assist my students, ensuring precise alignment and providing clear, comprehensive instructions.

Yoga practice is a journey, where we can observe with curiosity, play, trust, feel fully our body and inner space. It’s a wonderful feeling! Looking forward to going with you through this journey every practice!

I teach a Vinyasa Yoga every Sunday at 13:30 and Mondays at 19:30 at Manas Yoga Studio in English and/or Russian.

Sabine Wagner Yoga Teacher

Raised close to nature and with an affinity for movement, I did orienteering and ju jutsu for years before I stepped on a yoga mat for the first time during an internship in India in 2011. There, my yoga journey started with the Sivananda sequence. In the following years, I kept practicing and tried various styles from Ashtanga to Yin, eventually completing my first teacher training in 2020. I have been offering classes ever since. At the same time, I have always remained a student and keep learning more – in yoga classes, trainings, and from participants of my classes.

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Yoga is, for me, a limitless, unpretentious and diverse practice that we can take with us everywhere. All we need to do yoga is always with us: body and mind. I teach accessible and authentic yoga that allows you to connect with yourself and be in the present moment. In my classes, it is important to me to create an environment where you feel comfortable to go with the flow and to simply be you. My focus is on healthy alignment throughout the asanas, body-breath-mind connection, and turning the gaze inward. My classes are held in German and English.

Sophie Jasinska Faceyoga Teacher

My biggest fascination was, and still is, how much power each body possesses the ability to change and heal itself. When we allow ourselves to practice from a place of compassion and dedication to our well-being, we unlock superpowers. My relationship with yoga began in India in 2008. My yoga practice has taught and continues to teach me many of the things in my life. Through regular self-study, I have been able to transform depression, anxiety, trauma, karmic burdens and shadows. In 2016, I decided to become a Hatha and Kundalini yoga teacher and was certified in Rishikesh. I find my body to be sacred, a space in which my soul can express itself freely.

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My heart lies in slow and conscious classes, which means we go deep, but on multiple levels of self. The stillness allows us to see more and asks us to feel more complexly. No matter what I teach – yoga, face yoga, intuitive dance – I love to create a safe space where everyone feels welcome and right. Since 2021, I have been working intensively with non-invasive ways to increase facial vitality, so I am also a certified face yoga teacher. Helping people to increase their self-worth well into old age drives me enormously at the moment and I wholeheartedly share practices that make ourselves glow from the inside as well as the outside. My classes are held in German and English or Polish.

Charlotte Svendsen Yoga Teacher

Since embarking on my Yoga journey in 2017, I have been passionate about diving deep into the roots of Yogic philosophy and sharing this path and knowledge with others. Having studied in India for many years and completing 500+ HR Yoga Teacher Trainings, I resonate with the traditional wisdom of Tantra Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda. I now teach aspiring Yogis on 200 HR Yoga Teacher Trainings and retreats around the world. I like to blend my classes with conscious physical alignment and connection to the subtle body through chakra awareness, asana, pranayama and meditation.

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Barbara Gföllner Yoga Teacher

I first came into contact with yoga when I moved to Vienna for my studies more than ten years ago. As a student, I learned to appreciate yoga due to its physical benefits and calming effects that took me out of my head and back into my body. I stayed with both studying (pursuing a PhD) and yoga: yoga always provided the necessary balance between body and mind as it guides me deeper into more subtle layers of the self (the koshas) and away from heady work. I value studying as much as teaching. Taking my yoga practice further, I decided to immerse myself more in the study of yoga philosophy and tradition and did my Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India, in 2018.

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As I continued doing various additional teacher trainings, I got particularly interested in teaching yoga as a practice of rest. I specialized in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra, asana and meditation practices that to me are extremely powerful in offering access to deep rest and stillness. There is a lot of beauty and joy in teaching relaxation to people.

In my classes, I strive to create an environment where people can feel at ease and release. I like to think that rest can be radical: if practiced on a regular basis, it helps us to learn how to relax and thus regain energy even in challenging and uncomfortable situations, and to reclaim the right for relaxation, downtime, and sleep. Through intentional and gentle yin movement as well as a soothing guided yoga nidra meditation, we will tap into the potential of radical rest.

At Manas, I teach Yin & Yoga Nidra every first Sunday of the month. My classes are taught in English and German. Happy to see you on the mat for deep relaxation!

Cedric Pfeiffer Yoga Teacher

Yoga, for me, is the fundamental experience of coming into intimate contact with life. It’s about cultivating openness, awareness, and clarity to enjoy this experiment with the universe.
My work as a holistic health coach, which I began in Germany, helps me start right at that point. There my approach is deeply rooted in the integration of mind, body, and spirit. I blend nutrition, fitness, and mental development—particularly inner child work—to create a wholesome approach to well-being. I am dedicated to helping others discover their true potential, connect with their inner selves, and lead lives of authenticity and purpose.

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Connecting with the body’s intelligence is central to my practice, and the wisdom of yoga asanas has beautifully woven itself into my life. Yoga has been my companion for about 10 years, enriching my life and evolving from a simple daily practice into a profound, transformative experience. During a long and intense journey in India, I completed my training as a yoga teacher, specializing in Yin Yoga.

In my classes, I integrate flow elements that transition harmoniously into Yin Yoga poses, creating a deeper and more intensive practice. This combination allows participants to experience a balanced and immersive journey, cultivating both movement and stillness.

My classes are held in German and English.

Sneha Brandtner Yoga Teacher

My yoga journey began ten years ago, a transformative path that has profoundly changed my understanding of physical and mental wellness. Since discovering yoga, I’ve learned to listen deeply to my body and integrate mindfulness into my daily life, a practice that culminated in completing my yoga teacher training in Vienna during 2021. Through numerous workshops and continuous learning, I’ve developed a teaching approach that emphasizes individual needs, creating a supportive environment where students can explore their unique potential.

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I focus on guiding participants through asanas that are simultaneously challenging and accessible, inviting them to perceive themselves without judgment and discover inner strength and flexibility. My ultimate goal is to provide a peaceful sanctuary where individuals can escape daily stress, recharge their energy, and cultivate a sense of lightness that extends beyond the yoga mat, helping each person define their personal boundaries and connect more authentically with themselves.

My classes are offered in both German and English.

Find us here:

Address:

Franz-Josefs-Kai 41/17 | Vienna, Austria, 1010

Opening Hours

Mo-So: 07:00 – 22:00 | Open all year!

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