How did you come to own a café and yoga studio?

The vision of creating such a place developed slowly. Initially, it was an idea that I communicated at some point, and from that, this space actually came into being.

How did you find this location?

I was certain that Room 18 should be built in Stein am Rhein. When I then stumbled upon the old, dilapidated paint shop, I knew that this was the perfect location for the room.

What inspired you to decorate it?

What inspired me most was the space itself, the former factory. I was determined to preserve its charm. At the same time, I wanted to create a space where people could feel comfortable and relaxed. So I set out to find furnishings and objects inspired by nature, made from natural materials, and that create a warm atmosphere. My experience running an interior design store in Schaffhausen for several years certainly helped. I already had experience in terms of contacts and sources of inspiration.

What do you wish for in the future of Raum18?

During lockdown, I learned to live more in the moment. That's exactly what I want to cultivate even more with my wonderful team: doing and creating what fulfills and motivates us. This will lead to exciting events, retreats, yoga classes, and therapy sessions. I hope that we all work with increasing inspiration from our hearts and hearts. I'm full of anticipation and very excited to see what will emerge.

Which schools, training programs, and courses have you attended?

I am a certified dance teacher and have completed the 200-hour Yoga Alliance yoga teacher training as well as the advanced 300-hour training. I fulfilled my dream of combining yoga and dance in the USA, where I completed the "Let Your Yoga Dance" teacher training, also recognized by Yoga Alliance. Having come to know and love Yin Yoga over the years, I have pursued further training with Stefanie Arendt and Tanja Seehofer.

Are there any other dreams you would like to fulfill?

I am currently training to become an Emotion Code therapist according to the method developed by Dr. Bradley Nelson. This training focuses on releasing emotional baggage using simple testing methods. Integrating this therapy into the services offered at Raum18 and combining it with yoga and related movement is my next personal step, which I would like to implement at Raum18.

What do you do in your free time?

I practice all forms of yoga, love dancing, and adore being in nature. I've also discovered hiking through Switzerland, for example, the Way of St. James from Constance to Geneva. It's a wonderful blend of nature, mindfulness, and exercise.

How did you discover your passion for yoga?

I've always been a very active person. Over the years, the aspect of introspection has become increasingly important, as has the question of the meaning of life. After my first yoga experiences, I initially thought it wasn't active enough, but I kept coming back to yoga and delved deeper and deeper over the years. Now it's precisely this combination of physical movement and the spiritual aspect that continues to fascinate me. Yoga teaches me to constantly see myself from a new perspective and to continue to grow.

What is «Let your Yoga Dance» like, and who are these classes aimed at?

"Where joy and fun meet deep and sacred"—with this sentence, American Megha Buttenheim, founder of Let Your Yoga Dance, succinctly and aptly describes this unique blend of yoga and dance. To music from around the world and across all genres, we dance together through our chakras, our energy centers. No prior dance experience is necessary: ​​LYYD (Let your Yoga Dance) is equally suitable for "everybody and every body." It's a workout that activates our cardiovascular system through passionate dancing and keeps us mentally fit thanks to simple choreographies. Dancing together opens our hearts. LYYD is, not least, danced prayer and meditation, allowing our souls to dance as well. It's healing, liberating, and incredibly joyful!

How did you come across that?

Having been fascinated and accompanied by dance since childhood, and simultaneously feeling increasingly drawn to yoga, I was curious how and if I could combine the two. Among other things, I wanted to unite the depth and mindfulness of yoga with the lightness and creativity of dance. I tried several things until I finally came across LYYD. This training was a wonderful and enriching experience and is, for me, the perfect opportunity to experience the essence of both yoga and dance.

Do you teach any other yoga styles?

Personally, besides LYYD, I mainly teach Yin Yoga and a flowing form of Hatha Yoga.

Yin Yoga is a truly different kind of yoga experience. Here, we address the Yin energy within us—that is, our calm and receptive side. By holding the asanas for extended periods, we can access the deeper layers of connective tissue and, similar to acupuncture, send healing impulses to our nervous and meridian systems. Since most of us lead demanding lifestyles today, Yin Yoga is a highly recommended style for most of us. Nevertheless, Yin and Yang are always interconnected, so I also recommend a Hatha Yoga practice to anyone who is otherwise physically inactive in their daily life or spends a lot of time sitting at a desk.