Stefan is an authentic Yogi. His style is playful yet traditional. He stays grounded, calm and intuitive as a Yogi and as a person.
Please, be inspired by Stefan:
1. How long have you been teaching?
2 years
2. What motivated you to start teaching and what have you learnt from teaching?
The bubbling feelings I have about yoga were just spreading beyond my own mat and when I friend asked if I would try teaching a class for him and his family, I couldn't have been more terrified / excited. Also, I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and holding space for their journey, as I've been far away from where I am today internally.
3. What is something that you have learnt from a fellow teacher?
My favorite teacher, now this might be cheesy but true non the less, showed me that LOVE is way. I learned from her that through spreading love to others, when it's from a genuine place, it will circle back around to you.
4. How many times a week do you practice?
I practice everyday.
5. Who inspires your practice?
Lately I've been into stronger flows on the mat, and I'd say Dylan Werner is a teacher I'm looking at there. Another, less famous favorite teacher of mine is Chanaka Rukshan, who lives and operates out of Mirissa, Sri Lanka.
6. Why is it necessary for you to practice?
I've reached the point where this can no longer be considered a hobby, but my lifestyle. So it's necessary for me to start the day with meditation/yoga because it sets the vibe of the whole day.
7. What message do you like to spread through teaching?
Playfulness is always an option, try to not be to serious, it's just yoga! Also, it really is for everyone.
8. Where are you currently teaching?
Stockholm, Sweden
next stop Ko Tao, Thailand.
9. How has yoga helped your character develop?
In all ways, for me it started with a meditation practice and later a simple asana practice was added to that. Bit-by-bit,I was inspired to read about yogic philosophy, eat ayurvedic food, contemplate about the yamas and niyamas. It's like a habit you start out really liking then finding out that this habit grows with you, constantly revealing new exiting sides.
10. What has kept you practicing all these years?
Discipline, and this discipline has created a freedom I now enjoy everyday.
11. What would you tell yourself when you started teaching yoga?
Just remember to meet the people where they're at, it's about them not you.
12. What are the best ways to start teaching at a yoga studio?
You gotta get out there, go to a bunch of classes, what kind of yoga does your city offer? Do you feel that it aligns with you? Is something lacking from what's being offered? In what way can you give differently and how will you go about that? Then talk to the people in charge, let them know who you are and why you are what they've been waiting for. If you're serious about teaching, show it and own it!
13. Why is breath so important in your practice?
Why is breath important in life? It literary fuels every move and sets the paste of you movement. It's the constant reminder to give/receive, to let go. It's a great teacher because it's one of few things in our body that is both autonomic (self governing) and can be controlled. Much like things in our life, it's a fine balance of knowing when to surrender to what is and sometimes using your fire/agni to make things happen.
13. What is your FB name? IG name and twitter?
IG Absolutstefan