"For many years I had a kind of on/off relationship with yoga."
Jan 29, 2020
Katharina (@kathazuna) is a qualified Yoga teacher, personal trainer, health coach and co-founder of fit-perform. Why she emigrated to Mallorca and what unique yoga retreats she offers on this picturesque and varied island, the heart-loving power woman told us in an interview.
What fascinates you most about yoga and how do you practice it in everyday life?
Yoga is for all of us. It is not only movement, meditation or breathing, but the conscious BEING. Getting in contact with ourselves, getting out of the thought carousel, back to the heart, to gratitude, to ourselves. And of course it makes us more supple, flexible, fitter and gives us more strength and energy! Yoga has helped me to be more relaxed, to listen to my body, to be more in exchange with myself, to accept myself as I am. For me Yoga also means to let life flow, to accept everything that is, as it is (not always so easy). My daily Yoga practice is definitely meditation and journal, positive affirmations and gratitude for life. For everything. Warmth and serenity in dealing with others, mindfulness in what I do.
How did you start with yoga?
In 2010 I started with Pilates, practiced daily and then got in touch with Yoga for the first time. For many years I had a kind of "on/off" relationship with yoga, because in the beginning I mainly concentrated on the physical part and always wanted to go higher, faster and further. It was only later that I found my way to yoga in its holistic view and then started teaching yoga.
What is the perfect yoga class for you?
For my own yoga practice I love to listen to loud music (e.g. from East Forest) and just let my body and energy flow. Then I am completely with myself and it helps me to relax and unfold. When I teach yoga, e.g. on the beach, there is no need for music. The nature, the sound of the waves, the sun, the birds singing... all elements combined, just fantastic. And I confess: Usually I always create my classes spontaneously (I am just so polarized, spontaneous, intuitive and creative). Through flowing sequences I slowly increase the intensity and after a powerful, energetic Vinyasa Flow my students have time for the well-deserved final relaxation. Afterwards I consciously use "hands on" on the shoulders again to make it easier for my yogis to let go. For this I use natural oils or some Siddhalepa (Ayurvedic Balm).
Has yoga changed your attitude towards life and your well-being?
That's right: JAAAAAA!! Yoga brings us back home and connects us with our heart. With an inner satisfaction, happiness and humility. Through yoga I have learned to love myself as I am. acceptance. Self-worth. Balance. I have always been a positive person with a big and open heart, but I would say that yoga makes me feel even more connected. To me and to everyone else.
Why do you think yoga is so popular right now?
We are so busy looking for what we are supposedly missing "out there"... Complete overstimulation, hectic, expectations, performance, faster and faster and faster... that with many there is a need for calm, silence and coming down - coming back to oneself. I have the feeling that a kind of upheaval is taking place and that people are more interested in alternative healing methods, self-healing powers of the body and meditation. How great! :)
What was the reason for your decision to move to Mallorca?
My partner Steve and I have been coming to the island for many years, for him Mallorca has been his second home for almost 30 years. I always knew that I wanted to be by the sea one day and Mallorca simply has a very special magic and attraction for me.
What exactly is the P.A.L.M.A. Yoga Flow?
P.A.L.M.A.: Passion. Awareness. Love. Movement. Art. "Palma" has of course the origin of the island Mallorca, with Palma as its capital. But it also means to unite passion, consciousness, love, movement and creativity in my yoga classes - in flow.
What can one expect in your retreats in Mallorca?
In any case, a lot of fun, time for yourself, exchange, movement and new experiences. And of course everybody is welcome in my classes and retreats :-))) My next yoga retreat in April will be about (spring) "awakening". It is about coming back to us. To reconnect to our heart and through conscious movement, meditation and breathing techniques to recharge our batteries, let go of the old, embrace ourselves and realign ourselves. Every day we will write a "journal", reflect, reprogram, do yoga, meditate, laugh, eat well and of course there is enough time to relax, read, hike,... whatever makes the heart happy! For more information and prices about the retreat and my other activities, please follow the links below:
https://www.bikini-hotels.com/de/experiences/yoga-retreats/spring-awakening/
Is there a life motto that accompanies you?
Breathe in, Breathe out. Let it go, let it flow. :)
What do you wish for the next 10 years?
I wish for more awareness in the world that people are more attentive to me and their environment. I wish for us all "more heart and less head, less ego". For my path I wish that I continue to help people to find themselves, to heal themselves, to make peace with themselves, to be satisfied and happy, to grow beyond themselves. We have much more potential than we think!
My tip for beginners and interested people: That's why I recommend you to start with Yoga...
...because it just makes you feel so special! You are broken, happy, balanced, relaxed and still ready to pull out trees! Just go and try it out!
What are your favourite mat designs from LUVIYO?
If I had to choose... my absolute favorites are Blue Marble, Black Marble, Pineapple and Purple Leaves :))
