"A little house in the south of France"
Oct 20, 2020
Ricarda and Max, how did the idea of your own blog come about?
I founded the blog CATS & DOGS in 2008 during my studies of English and German, because I sewed myself and wanted to write. Max joined around 2015, first as a photographer behind the camera and then eventually in front of it.
Did you ever think you'd be so successful?
I founded the blog in 2008, back then it was one of the very first fashion blogs in Germany and got a lot of attention very quickly, was featured in many magazines and so it developed all by itself. We didn't have any control over it, except that we just did what we enjoyed doing.
On your website you write that you are your own production company. What do you offer?
We offer content production. We produce image and video material according to the wishes of the customer, organize locations and everything else that goes with it.
What keeps you motivated to write new blog articles?
The fun of beautiful things, photography and writing.
What do you wish for in the next 10 years, are there still dreams you would like to realize?
We would like to have a small house in the south of France in 10 years and live there permanently. Regarding Cats & Dogs: Maybe a coffee table book, but more on a travel theme than the blog itself.
Is there a life motto that accompanies you?
My life motto is more of a mantra and is "I am enough." I find that very beautiful and profound.
As I read on your website, "only" Ricarda practices yoga?
Yes, I practice and teach yoga, Max joins in now and then. But he has more fun with basketball, skating and weight training.
When did you start doing yoga and what made you do it?
I have been practicing yoga since about 2014. I tried running, swimming, weight training, and Pilates before that, but never stuck with it for more than a year. With yoga, I have stuck with it since I started. I don't feel yoga is a sport in that sense, but a holistic practice that is so much more than just asana.
What is the perfect yoga class for you?
Since we want to direct our attention inward in yoga, I find external stimuli such as music or incense sticks not so helpful, but rather distracting. In addition, not every scent appeals to every person and the topic of music is also very sensitive. In my lessons I usually teach without any external stimuli, unless it is a very playful lesson or a lesson that is focused on music.
What do you find particularly fascinating about yoga and how do you practice it in everyday life?
Yoga takes place in every moment for me by now. I practice mindfulness, gratitude and all the yamas and niyamas as best I can, all the time. To be less in yesterday and tomorrow and more in the here and now, that is the hardest, but also the most grateful yoga exercise we can practice in every moment.
Has yoga changed your outlook on life?
Absolutely. That is also the reason why I wanted to become a yoga teacher. I want to give others what I have experienced through yoga: to live more in the here and now, to deal with stress in a more relaxed way, to be kinder and more loving towards others. To perceive the beauty of the world more often. All this is yoga.
You wanted to complete the yoga teacher training in Bali in March? Did that work out despite all the circumstances?
Yes, I completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training in Bali in Vinyasa and Yin Yoga, am RYT 200 and teach in studios in Düsseldorf, as well as private classes and private lessons. I am also a Yoga Alliance Certified Meditation Teacher and always incorporate that into my classes.