Jump to my Qualifications & Experience >>Even as a teenager, I was drawn to one of the central questions of human life: why do we suffer, and is it possible to live differently, with more freedom, awareness, and inner connection?
For me, this question was never merely theoretical. In my younger years, I struggled with intense anxiety and, at times, periods of depression. It was a difficult time, but it made my search for understanding and inner freedom very real. I did not only want to read about philosophy, but also wanted to know whether genuine change was possible.
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, in an environment where many different ideas, worldviews, and spiritual traditions were present. As a teenager, I began exploring Buddhism and Western philosophy. Later, I encountered the teachings of J. Krishnamurti, which deeply and lastingly shaped my view of life.
At university, I took courses in Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy, where we explored various traditions and texts from an academic perspective. Engaging with Mahayana-Buddhist texts, especially the profound
Vimalakirti Sutra, gave me my first access to non-duality. This theme continued to accompany me later, including through my own studies in Vedanta.
A health crisis in 1996 and 1997 eventually led me to yoga and martial arts. At first, I was primarily seeking physical healing and a better understanding of my own body. But I soon realized that these paths touch much more than the physical level.
I first began practicing Kung Fu intensively and later turned more and more toward yoga. I was fascinated by the combination of precise physical practice, inner training, and philosophical depth. Eventually, this path led me to the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where I completed my first yoga teacher training.
