Teachers

ISABELLA NITSCHKE

Isabella first met yoga in 2003 when she sought help for an injury from running. When she discovered the many positive benefits of yoga practice she began exploring different yoga styles and quickly found Ashtanga yoga which she has been practicing since. She has been teaching full time since 2009 and in 2014 she received Sharath Jois’ blessing to teach the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga. In the summer of 2016 Isabella participated in a 2 month special course for teachers with Sharath Jois. Since then she has also twice had the privilege to assist him in class for a full month at the main shala in Mysore (January 2018 and 2019) .

Since she started practicing yoga she has been fortunate to practice and study with several senior Ashtanga Yoga teachers such as Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, Eddie Stern, David Swenson, Maty Ezraty, Susanna Finocchi and Eileen Gauthier. Prior to Ashtanga yoga she also studied the Dynamic Yoga Teaching Method with Godfrey Devereux and is qualified to teach this particular method. She has regularly returned to India to further her yoga practice, study and to further deepen her chanting skills and studies of yoga philosophy and Sanskrit.

In addition, Isabella is a certified yoga therapist for mental health (depression, anxiety, trauma), a qualified lifestyle coach and relaxation therapist. She has devoted much of the past twelve years of her yoga practice and teaching to study end explore how yoga affects our nervous system, our mental health and in particular how the practice can help increase our resistance resilience and ability to self-regulate. Currently Isabella is finishing a 300h teacher training in Traumainformed yoga (TAY) with Josefin Wikström. 

Before yoga, Isabella worked in international politics and was employed by both the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the European Commission. She has a Politices magister in political science and a Master in East and Southeast Asien studies and has lived and worked on several continents.

Isabella has over 20 years of experience from working in health and fitness worldwide and has studied both anatomy and movement mechanics extensively. She is the head teacher and owner of Ashtanga Yoga Malmö. Her teaching style is inclusive and aims to create a safe space for all students. She follows a gentle approach with particular focus on breath to cultivate sensitivity and awareness of the body and mind. Her teaching method allows students to practice yoga safely through a step by step approach.

Isabella is very grateful to all the teachers and students she’s met on her yoga journey: “They have taught me to become more patient and humble towards myself and others. They’ve helped me realise that anything is possible and that every individual has an enormous inner potential that is waiting to be discovered.

For more information about Isabella you may download her CV/list of QUALIFICATIONS.

HELENA FRENTZELL

Helena is a qualified dancer and occupational therapist who ran her own dance studio in Malmö for 10 years. She came to yoga through a former Pilates teacher, liked the flow of Ashtanga yoga and took up the practice. Since then she has delved deeper into yoga and participated in several workshops with international teachers such as Eddie Stern, Peter Sanson, Jörgen Christensen, Ann Svärdfelt, Petri Räisänen, and Anne Nuito. She has also travelled to Mysore, India twice where she studied with R. Sharath Jois for a month each time. Helena has been an apprentice with Isabella since 2019 and during the years 2019/20 and 2023, she participated in two special in depth courses under Isabella's guidance. Helena teaches foundation class/courses level 1 and 2 in Malmö and regularly assists or covers the morning mysore classes.

“Yoga gives me inner peace. From pushing to be "the best at everything" my practice has helped me realise and accept what is best for my body and health at any given moment”, Helena says.

SOFIA SOORI

Sofia Soori started practicing yoga in 2007 and began teaching in 2013. She has had the opportunity to practice and study with several international yoga teachers such as Sharath R. Jois in India, Chuck Miller and John Scott. In January 2022 she also received the blessig of Sharathji to share the method of Ashtanga yoga (authorisation level 2). Today Sofia practices with Isabella at the shala in Malmö while she studies for a Masters degree in Psychology at Lund University. Before moving to southern Sweden, Sofia worked in Stockholm teaching regular classes, workshops and managed three Mysore programs. She also owns a retreat centre together with her mother in the archipelago of Stockholm. There she hosts yoga retreats during the Swedish summer months. Sofia regularly teaches Friday-fun classes at Ashtanga Yoga Malmö.

"To me, yoga is about calming the mind and meeting myself before I start my day. It helps me to be a better person towards myself and others", says Sofia.

MIHO HELLÉN-HALME

Miho started practising yoga in 2004, with the aim to improve her concentration and find a physical complement to the sedentary work as a translator. After trying different types of yoga, she found Ashtanga yoga in 2007. She has since studied with several senior teachers such as Chuck Miller, John Scott, Tarik Thami ad Michael Stone. Miho became Isabella’s apprentice in 2012 and continues to deepen her knowledge of yoga with Isabella’s guidance. In the summer of 2019 Miho attended Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor’s  month-long intensive course in Boulder, USA. Miho is also a qualified Yin and restorative yoga teacher. Miho has regularly taught a special yin yoga & meditation class in Malmö but will take a sabbatical from teaching in the spring of 2024. 

Ashtanga yoga has not only fulfilled my initial expectations, but also given me many precious tools to deal with life and to know myself at a deeper level”, says Miho.

SARA ALENIUS (fd BJÖRS)

Sara is a professional physiotherapist based in Malmö. She is also a dedicated Ashtanga yoga practitioner since 2010 and was in 2019 authorized (level 1) by Sharath Jois to teach the primary series of Ashtanga yoga. Sara lived in Mysore, India, 2011-2012 where she studied at the (former) KPJAYI with Sharath Jois. She also owned and managed the popular yogi meeting point Santosha Café . In July 2018, Sara had the privilege of attending Richard Freeman’s one-month long intensive course in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Sara has been Isabella’s apprentice since 2015 but is currently on a break from teaching in Malmö. Read more about Sara on her webpage.

I’m continuously fascinated by how yoga much yoga contributes to each aspect in life”, says Sara.

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Tack till:
Form: Frida Nilsson (Illustraform), Caroline Löfgren   •   Webb: Mikael Björs (BiT)   •   Foto: Sophie Håkansson