WHO I AM
I am a psychological scientist. That means I am fascinated by human behavior. I have studied what makes people creative, productive, and innovative. My work has focused on the role of emotions, attention focus, reward structures, and feedback. As a yoga teacher, I combine yoga philosophy and practice with modern scientific knowledge in order to enhance health, happiness, productivity, and creativity. I am a passionate person. I have been from a very young age. Being passionate has led me to explore, master, and enjoy music, dance, writing, science, travel, mountaineering, cross-fit, and yoga. It also gave me discipline, drive, determination, persistence, a master and PhD in psychology, and a big burn-out.
WHY YOGA MATTERS (TO ME)
In my year(s) of recovery, I finally made time to reflect on my experiences from a peaceful perspective. Although yoga always played an important role of my life, it became a true path to reinvention when I needed it most. In this year, I did two things. I delved into the scientific literature on stress, burn-out, and yoga, and I explored yoga philosophy and practice on my teacher training in India. I came to understand what led me to be so ambitious, stressed, perfectionistic, and anxious, and why I am not the only one. Our western (working) environment triggers us to constantly seek rewards and run away from fears, inducing an ever-ongoing stress loop in the brain and body. But we can get out. We all run after desires and away from threats. It is human nature. But the practice of yoga helps us to shape our internal and external environments in such a way that we become less sensitive to the triggers that make us run all the time. Yoga teaches us to regulate our thoughts and actions through the systematic practice of physical and mental concentration.
Get in Touch with me!
Curious about how to change your life?
WHY SCIENCE MATTERS (TO ME)
For me personally science is a passion. I long for an understanding of the world and the people in it. That is why I studied psychology: I wanted to know how people 'work'. What makes us think, what makes us feel, what makes us move? In a broader sense, science is the most important tool we have (yet) to understand the world a bit better every day, and to separate truth from nonsense.
MY GOAL
There is a lot of nonsense in the yoga world, but also a lot of truth, meaning, and a huge potential for growth and happiness. Science is basically just catching up with the transformational power of yoga. So the point is not to prove which way of thinking or which method is right. The goal is not to debate what part of yoga is spiritual and what part is rational. The goal is to reach out to everyone by explaining yoga in a different (scientific) language. To connect different people, different disciplines, and the differences within ourselves. To connect the spiritual and non-spiritual, rationality and emotionality, peace and passion. The goal is to build a bridge between modern science and yoga, to combine their forces to reach a wider audience where that audience resides most of the time: at work.
WHAT I DO
I explain psychological science and the benefits of yoga and in a down-to-earth way. I do this through lectures, workshops, private coaching, writing, and yoga classes. My yoga classes are always theme-based with a short knowledge (either psychology or philosophy) introduction that links back to the physical and mental practice of the class.
How I got here...
experience and education
Yoga teacher
May 2019 – Present
I teach regular yoga and meditation classes at Yoga Zeeburg, Hotflow Yoga, Great Club, and on my own online channel.
Psychological scientist, lecturer, coach
March 2018 – Present
I am a regular guest lecturer and work-life coach at the University of Amsterdam, TU-Delft, Schouten & Nelissen University of Applied Sciences, Downsideup, and Neuro Habits.
I teach courses, workshops, and masterclasses on healthy work habits, stress and burn-out, teamwork and leadership, problem solving and decision making, and start-up psychology.
Yoga Training
Himalaya Yoga Valley (200TTC)
2018, India
I received traditional ashtanga and vinyasa yoga training with Lalit Kumar in Goa India.
Future Hippie Yoga Resort (internship)
2019, Thailand
In my internship at yoga community Future Hippie, I developed classes on yoga philosophy, meditation and asana (physical) practice.
Psychological Scientist, Lecturer
University of Amsterdam
2016 – 2018
As a researcher, I studied emotional responses to feedback, stress, and emotion regulation.
As a lecturer, I coordinated the course 'prosocial and voluntary behavior', focused on why we engage in helping and volunteering.
PhD in Organizational Psychology
University of Amsterdam
2012 - 2016
As a researcher, I studied the effects of attention, emotion, and motivation on proactive behaviors in organizations.
As a lecturer, I coordinated a variety of courses on work- and organizational psychology.
Master & Bachelor in Psychology
University of Amsterdam
2006- 2010
I started to study psychology because I am fascinated by human behavior, and I wanted to understand and help people.
Eventually, I developed a passion for research, and became a scientist. Helping people came back as a calling when I started my yoga journey.
