My mission

My mission is simple: to offer a yoga practice that welcomes everyone—every body, every background, every story.

As T.K.V. Desikachar said,
“Yoga must be made to suit the individual, not the individual to suit yoga.”
These words live in my heart.

Over the past decade, I’ve practiced in many studios—places full of warmth, movement, and community. I’ve learned from wonderful teachers and shared space with beautiful souls. But time and again, I’ve felt how many people are quietly left out—not by intention, but by circumstance.

Yoga was never meant to be exclusive. It was designed for everyone. Yet too often, barriers—physical, social, or financial—stand in the way of someone stepping onto the mat.

That’s why I keep my classes accessible—not only by making sure everyone feels welcome in the practice, but also by keeping the cost low. Because inclusion lives both in the spirit of the space and in the reality of what people can afford.

I believe yoga is a gift. And like all true gifts, it’s meant to be shared—with anyone who needs it, and with everyone who comes with an open heart.

Yoga changed my life. And now, I simply want to share it—with anyone who seeks stillness, strength, or connection. Whether you’re new to the mat or it already feels like home, this practice is for you.

About Mika

I’ve never been a sporty person. I still don’t consider myself one. I spent most of my life in academia, and — true to the stereotype — I’ve always preferred a good book to a trip to the gym. But being in nature? That’s where I come alive. I love moving when I’m outside; it doesn’t feel like exercise, just… life. But exercising for the sake of it? That never quite clicked for me.

I went to my first yoga class over a decade ago. At the time, I was looking for something new — something to get me out of my head — and I was curious. I enjoyed it straight away, and it quickly became part of my weekly rhythm.

A few years later, while doing my Ph.D., a friend invited me to a vinyasa class. That was when I truly fell in love with yoga. The practice was physically challenging, but it felt amazing. Over time, I built strength and flexibility, and yoga became a kind of moving meditation.

I didn’t come to yoga for the asana (the physical poses), and I still don’t practice it to “work out.” I kept going because yoga made me feel good — emotionally, mentally, physically. It helped me feel more at home in my body, helped me accept myself, and brought me a deep sense of peace. To me, that’s reason enough. Whether you practice to build strength, to move with your breath, to feel grounded, to feel joy, to find calm — whatever your reason — yoga is a gift. And if it’s calling to you, then I hope you follow that call.

When I signed up for Yoga Teacher Training, I didn’t plan to teach. I simply wanted to learn more, to deepen my practice, to step out of my STEM-focused routine and do something different.

Then, in 2024, I burned out. My workload became inhuman. My health — both physical and mental — was unraveling. I had become an academic because I believed it mattered. But suddenly, I didn’t know if it did. I’ve always felt that our work should mean something. Even as a child, I wanted to make a difference — in big or small ways. One day, I had enough. I left the career I had worked so hard for.

That’s when I began to teach yoga. Not because I had planned to — but because I felt called to share a practice that had supported me for so long. A practice that had always helped me reconnect with myself. I wanted to offer that same support to others.

I grew up in a family with a modest income, and I’ve experienced financial struggle myself. I know firsthand how cost can be a barrier to accessing yoga classes. That’s why I believe yoga should be accessible — physically, financially, and emotionally. Whether you’re seeking a dynamic practice or something gentler, both are equally valuable.

Yoga should be for everyone.

Qualifications:

Random facts about myself: