Before my daughter and I began our yoga teacher training, we already knew that yoga was beneficial for both body and mind. It relaxes you, makes the body more flexible, and calms the breath. Yet very soon we discovered that yoga goes far beyond the physical and mental. What started as a practical choice – earning our diploma in a short period of time so we’d have a solid foundation for our own activities – gradually unfolded into something much deeper. The training turned out not only to provide knowledge and techniques, but to open a doorway into layers of consciousness that revealed who we truly are.
As I shared in an earlier blog, Florence and I had already done plenty of “field research” over the years. We joined women’s circles and moon circles, took part in many different yoga classes, and even experienced an intense kundalini session. The women’s and moon circles touched us the most, because they allowed us to connect on a profound level. Still, we felt: if we truly wanted to create something of our own, we needed a strong foundation.
And so, we signed up for a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Greece. We quite literally dove in at the deep end – which, in hindsight, felt like a true deep dive into consciousness Yoga.
A Challenging Start
The first days were tough – really tough. Every morning at 7:30, without coffee or breakfast, we began with Bhakti yoga. Two hours of asanas followed, until my knees ached. On top of that: no meat, no alcohol, and even my phone was given a well-deserved holiday. It didn’t take long before I earned the nickname Grumpy Karen. And honestly? I had it coming.
Then came Karma yoga. Without really knowing what it meant, I had already said “yes” with great enthusiasm. It turned out to be seva, selfless service – and before I knew it, I was feeding chickens during my yoga training. Really?! At first, I couldn’t see the connection. But gradually, something shifted. Each morning, I found myself joyfully chanting. Florence sang along with a bright smile, and together we exchanged a heartfelt namasté. My mood lifted, my inner child woke up, and the pure, childlike laughter I had lost touch with returned.
The Shift
Slowly but surely, we felt a profound shift in our energy. Pranayama gave us clarity and calm. Meditation and affirmations taught us that tears are not weakness, but a sign of truly feeling. We discovered that positive words have an actual energetic effect, that gratitude is the key to stepping out of the victim role, and that living intuitively doesn’t mean “doing whatever you feel like,” but listening to what your body really needs.
I learned not to see my ego as an enemy, but as a voice I could embrace with love – without letting it take the lead in my life. I realized once again: I am not my body, not my name, but a soul, a piece of the universe, love and energy itself. Everything I seek is already within me.
Yoga connected me to my higher self. It showed me that blockages and trauma don’t have to last forever, that healing can happen more quickly than you think, once you are truly ready. Above all, it reminded me that we are here to remember: we are love, we are light, and we are meant to share that energy with others.
Together as One
One of the greatest gifts of this journey was the people we shared it with. We grew into a close-knit family, each carrying our own story, our own path. Together we created a space where honesty and vulnerability were welcomed, where wisdom flowed freely, and where laughter came just as naturally as the tears. Our main teachers, Elias and Persefoni, guided us with such depth and authenticity. We absorbed their stories like sponges, and in return we shared our own questions, doubts, and discoveries. What an exchange it was – of knowledge, of energy, of heart. I am profoundly grateful, not only for what we learned, but for the joy we experienced together. For the endless laughter that filled our hearts, and for the beautiful, unique souls who completed this circle and made it whole.
A Shared Mission
When we came home, we knew this adventure couldn’t simply end here. We are so grateful that we experienced this as mother and daughter. It brought us closer to ourselves – and closer to each other. Now, we want to pass that on: to inspire and support other women on their journey toward balance, strength, and connection.
We are already creating our own studio, filled with the most beautiful yoga products and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Hormones, the moon, cacao ceremonies, Yin yoga, meditation, manifestation – everything will find its place in our circle. We cannot wait to begin. And one thing is certain: Karma yoga will play a central role. Because if this training taught us anything, it’s that giving from a pure heart – whether it’s a smile, a class, or even feeding the chickens – is the most healing form of yoga there is.
✨ Namasté ✨
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