About me - Peaceful Passion

INGE WOLSINK

Yogi, PhD
BACKGROUND
I studied psychology for many years because I am a curious person, and humans are a fascinating breed. My work as a researcher and teacher has focused on how emotions, attention, rewards, and feedback influence creativity, innovation, and productivity at work. I have always been passionate about my work. The upside of that is curiosity, exploration, discipline, and persistence. The downside is pressure, and in my case, a big burn-out.
WHY YOGA MATTERS
In my year(s) of recovery, I finally made time to reflect on my experiences from a peaceful perspective. Reading through the scientific literature on stress, burn-out, and yoga, and exploring yoga philosophy and practice on my teacher trainings in India and Thailand, this bridge was a path to reinvention when I needed it most. Psychological science helped to understand how chronic stress is induced, while the practice of yoga helped to shape my internal and external environments in two ways:

1. I became less sensitive to the stress triggers in western society
2. I became able to make conscious choices about when and how I want to respond to my environment.

Yoga is routinized, habitual practice of physical and mental awareness, which is needed if you wish to change the way you live. Mere understanding is just not enough. Practice is the gateway to change.
Curious about how to change your life? Get in Touch with me!
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WHY SCIENCE MATTERS
For me personally science is still 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 relevant because is the most important tool we have (yet) to understand the world a bit better every day. So if you care to understand what makes you tick, science is the best way to gain that understanding.
MISSION
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 find out that what we commonly assume to be two distinct extremes of a spectrum, are actually much more intertwined than we think. To connect the spiritual and the down-to-earth, rationality and emotionality, peace and passion. The goal is to build a bridge between modern psychological science and yoga, and to combine their forces to initiate change in whomever wishes to turn their life, family, or organisation in a different direction.

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, online on youtube and insight timer, and at my own events.

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.