The beginning
I come from the Czech Republic. As a young girl, I always found joy in movements, such as collective sports or intuitive dance. From a young age when I became interested in muscle strengthening, I did not know that I was applying some Pilates key principles or Yogic asanas in these exercises. Intuitively, I knew what I wanted to achieve, I felt what was right for my body, and learnt discipline. I created a routine to keep my body toned, flexible, and strong yet relaxed.
Throughout my secondary school years, committing to dance classes seemed to be the only time where I could ground my mind into the present moment and escape from studying pressures. These moments were magical and transformational while balancing my teenage life.
At university, my friend and I, established a girls' dance group The Revolution. I encouraged girls to move the whole body with coordination, and breath. My personal goal seemed simple - to support them so they feel free in their dance expression. This experience massively helped me to realise that we are all unique, and that we should treat the body with love and care without comparing ourselves with others. The inner teacher is always present and right, we should listen. My love for dance continues to this day.
In 2013, I established a regular Yoga practice to relax the mind and reconnect to the deeper self. Yogini instructor Linda inspired me on this transformational journey. Weekly sessions with her filled my mind with calmness and joy, and I learnt from this experience to be patient with my progression, listen to my body, and let go of my ego and sense of "achieving". Since then, I steadily developed my own personal practice - sadhana - to intuitively support my daily holistic wellbeing with all that life brings.
Coming to New Zealand
Coming to New Zealand in 2015 with my partner was life changing. Breaking the routine, leaving everything and everyone behind to live in a car with a backpack. Free and independent, we enjoyed every moment of what this land has to offer. As I continued my regular personal Yoga practice during seasonal jobs (often on the ground in the middle of a vineyard), co-workers started to notice and wanted me to teach them. Intuitively, they needed to stretch after long hours of hard work. That was the very beginning of sharing a fraction of this ancient wisdom with others.
A year after traveling, in 2016, Bodylight® studio in Auckland stepped into my life and I deeply connected to my teacher, mentor, and friend Edna Levy - the founder of the Bodylight® method. Edna educated me on every aspect of being an intuitive, loving, always-listening, and caring yet professional instructor and guide through movement. I successfully completed two Bodylight® teacher training courses that fuse ancient Yoga, classical/modern mat and apparatus Pilates, and Qi Gong in an interesting, mindful and educative way. This course also included Bodylight® treatment (manual therapy) module.
I spent months at the studio assisting, observing, and learning through various sessions, including clients with special needs and/or injuries (eg. scoliosis, arthritis, osteoporosis, pregnancy and post-natal needs, hip replacement, and more) as well as various age groups (from little kids to elderly) and body types. After a couple of intense months, I immediately initiated my teaching journey at the studio. With the loving support and encouragement, soon my confidence and intuition grew. I established close relationships with clients, instructors, and the practice itself. Bodylight® studio became my second family and I am forever grateful for this opportunity.
Journey to India
My desire to learn more about ancient Yoga led me to India in August 2018. Right into the heart of the Himalayan mountains - Bhagsu Village in Himachal Pradesh. I was mesmerised by the freshness in the air, the local food, and the monsoons. This precious time meant an opening to vast knowledge coming from ancient texts such as Patanjali Sutras or Bhagavad Gita. Immersed in a profound practice of Yamas and Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, and Dhyana, I completed a 200hrs Yoga teacher training course at Bhagsu Yoga Institute. My teacher Omji is a very positive person with a sense of humor. Along with only just another student Ola, who became a close friend of mine, we felt grateful to have more time for philosophical discussions. This entire journey welcomed me into deeper studies of ancient Yoga philosophy. The wisdom of the yogic path is endless, and always present in daily life. I learn with every new day, with new people and situations. In the end, it is up to us how we implement little changes that lead to a better quality of life.
Where I am right now
In January 2019, when I came back from India, I continued as a full-time instructor and a manual therapist at Bodylight®. I also completed the sports massage course at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and two Thai massage courses with Gabriel Morales in Auckland and Nelson. The movement and massage sessions I offer, draw upon all of the extensive knowledge I have accumulated over the last 7 years.
I am grateful I could be a part of the NZ Spirit Festival (May 2022) in Auckland, offering massages with my dear friend Alison and soon after that, together, we put on a Reignite Day Retreat (July 2022). That is where my offering at various festivals began and I continue my presence at NZ Spirit South Island festival in Christchurch (2023, 2024) and Evolve Festival in Nelson (2022).
From all of my experiences, I have gained an understanding of how to treat the body with respect and provide individual guidance through movement and breath with the mind being present. My own personal experience with a deeper comprehension of the mind and body connection contributes to my unique offering. My humble aim is to deliver a session that restores mind-body awareness and connection, inner joy, relaxation, visualization, and more.
Moving to Nelson in November 2022 has been another beginning of this constant flow of life changes. I am very grateful and excited to offer my services in this beautiful, sunny region of the South Island - the place, where I fell in love with NZ initially. In a simple way, it's coming back home.
With all of my experience over the years, I am still on the rewarding journey, respectfully learning with each client and continuously searching for inspiration through new courses and workshops.
Ongoing personal growth:
In April 2023 I began Classical Pilates teacher training with Teach Pilates to deepen my current knowledge and learn the traditional way of Pilates method. This ongoing training will take over a year to complete to reach 600 hours and my intention is to search for new tools or methods to be able to draw from and add them into sessions with respect to this classical method. Lisa Taylor (Connect Centre, Nelson) leads this course and supports me on this journey.
Ongoing Qi-Gong training with Asho (Auckland).