About me
I come from the sunny island of Crete in Greece and am currently based in Malmö, Sweden. I am a full-time yoga teacher (E-RYT 500*) and teach Vinyasa Flow, Hatha, Yin, Restorative as well as Mindful Yoga & Meditation.
Further, I have completed a degree in Psychology (BSc), a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (certified CBT-Therapist) as well as several courses in the fields of mental health and Mindfulness.
By combining Psychology, Yoga and Eastern Philosophies, my biggest passion and aspiration is to facilitate healing in a holistic and compassionate way and to shed light on your path towards awakening to your full potential.
Wellness Trainings
• 300-hour advanced Yoga Teacher Training in Multi-style yoga, Association for Yoga and Meditation, India, 2019
• 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vinyasa Flow, Himalayan Yoga Association, India, 2018
• 30 hours Advanced Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Angela Jervis-Read, 2023
• 20 hours Yoga Nidra Certification with Anna Goncalves, Sweden, 2019
• 50 hours Aerial & Yin Yoga, Fusion Yoga India, 2020
• 30 hours advanced Yoga Alignment with Submit Thalwal, India , 2018
• 30-hour Foundational Yoga course by NW, Sweden, 2017
• Certificate in teaching Classical Pilates Matwork with Josie McKenlay, 2019
• Certificate in Reiki I, II - Usui/ Holy Fire III Reiki Ryoho by Magdalena Kuchcinska, 2020
• Certificate in Usui Reiki (I, II, Master) with Melissa Crowhurst, 2019
• Singing Bowl Therapy (Level I), Himalayan Academy of Sound Healing, India, 2020
• 100 hours Vipassana meditation, Dhamma Sobhana, Sweden, 2018
• Western Buddhism, Dalarna University, 2022
• Personal Training program, The Academy, Sweden, 2014
Mental Health Qualifications
• Bachelor's of Science in Psychology (BSc First-Class Honours) from the Open University in the United Kingdom, 2016
• Diploma & Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Therapist) from Humanistcentrum in Sweden, 2021
• Certification in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) by Graham Nicholls
• 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme by Dave Potter, 2019
• Certification in Counselling by Karen E. Wells, 2021
My Journey so far
After a series of emotionally draining events I was struggling to make sense of life and the meaning of it all.
Having just completed a demanding degree in Psychology and having to deal with some heavy physical and emotional issues, maintaining a yoga practice was not a priority in the midst of my chaotic life. I felt drained and depressed. Soon, yet another traumatic life event would force me to find ways to cope with loss, grief and vulnerability. I realized that I needed to make a choice on which direction I wanted my life to go.
Finding the strength to stick to a daily yoga routine even if it meant a 30 minute practice through YouTube and occasionally attending a public class was an excellent way to start and even though life continued to get in the way I was determined. I needed to find the way out of the darkness.
My daily practice soon made me feel more empowered, more in charge of my own body and mind, more enthusiastic about what lies ahead. Even though I had been practicing yoga for fifteen years (with more pauses than I can count) it was around that period that I realized that I never want to stop practicing again. That yoga makes life make sense.
One foot in front of the other. One breath at the time.
A trip to Mallorca for a yoga retreat and the conviction and encouragement of the retreat teacher that I needed to share my truth through teaching yoga was defining in guiding me to the right direction. She ignited the spark that became a burning desire to help others through sharing what I love and what I know to be true.
Even though at first I was reluctant and insecure, I had taken the very first step into turning my darkest experiences of pain and fear into love and compassion,
- into a project of sharing light and love!
Through the heartwarming and encouraging feedback from students I felt ready to pursue more, to keep learning and sharing for the rest of my life.
Pretty soon my heart led me to mother India (a dream of mine for 20 years) where I embarked on a beautiful spiritual journey. Soon I immersed myself into a fascinating realm of studying sanskrit language, mantras, authentic yoga texts and teachings as well as meditation. The healing process had begun.
On my second visit to India I put more pieces of the puzzle together which led me to make a promise to that sacred land that I will be returning there as often as I can in order to fuel the fire and the passion on the journey towards myself,
so that I am able to hold space for others in support of their journey.
Yoga & Mindfulness changed my life on a profound level and the science of Psychology equipped me with the tools to understand the mechanisms and links between behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
I will be deeply honoured to accompany you on your own path towards opening your heart and healing your body and mind.
Starting from ourselves and recognising our true essence we can change the world - one breath at the time!
ॐ Om Shantih
Copyright © 2020 Katerina Johansson