I’ve always wanted to help people, and I thought studying science was the best way to do that.

I had an insatiable curiosity and love for learning and dreamt of being part of the big discoveries that help us live healthier, longer lives. That’s what got me into science in the first place.

But when I started working in the lab during my BSc, I realized things weren’t as rosy as I’d imagined. In lectures, we were inspired to follow our passion, expand human knowledge, and solve big problems. But in the lab, it felt like everyone - from students to PIs - was stressed, burnt out, and barely survivng.

The disconnect between the promises of the scientific career and the harsh reality (things like "publish or perish", academic bullying, career pressures, mentors not having any idea about how to mentor students and give them space for making mistakes and learning and many more) was profound for me.

I started out feeling really excited and lucky to be able to follow my dreams and contribute to the world through my research, but over the next few years, I grew more and more insecure, anxious and depressed.

I equated crazy long hours and working on the weekends with hard work, and at the same time was a terrible procrastinator due to anxiety and fear. I struggled with establishing boundaries around my time, and dreaded having any disagreement or even voicing my ideas and opinions to my supervisors.

I became increasingly cynical about my work. It was hard to find even a tiny shred of motivation - instead, I noticed myself fantasizing about dropping everything and escaping to some remote location to work on a farm.

I hit the wall when I started having stress-related health issues ranging from headaches and insomnia to gastritis. This is when my then-boyfriend (now husband) suggested we try going to a yoga class once a week. I was apprehensive at first but very quickly started noticing subtle changes in me, my state of mind and my energy. These changes became more and more apparent, and from then on I was hooked.

However, during my PhD, I fell into the same trap. The pressure and demands were overwhelming, and I felt like I had no time to practice yoga - or do anything but work, really. So, I stopped. This led me down a path of burnout, where I was physically exhausted and sick, anxious, questioning everything, and feeling utterly lost.

At my lowest point, I knew something had to change. I took a sick leave, prioritised taking care of my health and eventually returned to yoga, and it was like coming home. The practice helped me reconnect with myself, manage my stress, and regain clarity.

Slowly, I started to feel more balanced and resilient. This newfound clarity gave me the courage to make a life-changing decision.

I decided to leave my PhD program. It was scary, of course, but I felt confident and fulfilled in my choice, knowing it was the right path for me. Yoga has not only helped me recover from burnout but also empowered me to trust in myself and my decisions.

This journey inspired me to help other young scientists who might be struggling with the same issues. I became a yoga teacher to share the incredible benefits of yoga and mindfulness, offering a lifeline to those navigating the challenging world of research. My mission is to support you in finding balance, joy, and a renewed passion for your work.