Everyone has their challenges in life, which in certain ways define how we relate to life and how we choose to live. I grew up in Sweden with two younger siblings and parents that divorced when I was twelve. I had to grow up very fast, as my mom’s addictive tendencies grew into full blown addictions of alcoholism, gambling, etc. She was suicidal and very manipulative. I rarely talk about this, but I know that it has greatly shaped who I am today. 

My mom was a deeply sensitive self-employed workaholic who didn’t seem to ever find balance, which turned into a bunch of different types of tools to numb herself. All of this has of course shaped my constant exploration of wellbeing – on all levels of being. She was in many ways an important role model of what not to do, and for that I am deeply grateful.

As a youngster, I quickly realized that mindfulness tools and practices were going to be my lifeline. Some of the books I picked up as a teenager became my best friends, for decades to come. I learned how to navigate a wide spectrum of emotional storms, including deep sadness, disappointment, anger and grief – which initially expressed as a burning rage that I covered up inside. I was faced with the fact that there is a choice embedded within each thought, word and action. Even though I took over a lot of responsibilities at an early age as things fell apart at home, I chose to take responsibility for my physical, mental and emotional health simultaneously. Thus, I started exploring practices to nurture body, mind and spirit, very early on – which I am eternally grateful for. 

I started traveling in my late teens, as a way to get a break from the madness and running the household – and as a way to get exposed to other realities, cultures and lifestyles. I did an exchange year in Colorado, USA, as a senior in high school, which was the first step to break free from the norm. I got bit by the travel bug and I ended up studying most of college on my own, while traveling, way before online schooling was a thing. Looking back, I see this traveling decade of my life as a pilgrimage – both to many places and people that taught me a lot, but most importantly, as a way to truly get to know myself. It set the tone for my independence and inspired me to live creatively and consciously, instead of getting engulfed in the patterns and expectations I was born into.

I went back to Sweden for my higher education and while in my masters studies, I got a scholarship that changed my life; I moved to India for what was supposed to be a 5-month project, which ended up being a two year period that forever changed me. While in India, I met my now beloved husband, who was another important catalyst for change. I moved to Ridgway, Colorado in 2009, where he was located, and I had never felt so at home in my life. The search for deeper meaning and practical tools to fully meet life in all of its ups and downs, hasn’t ceased. This is still my most profound fascination. I started teaching in Ridgway in 2010 and continue to live a simple, beautiful life in the mountains together with my husband Jyoti and our two huskies, Satya and Sage. 

Each life journey is unique, yet I think there are many things that we share. The blessing of any challenge is that we are offered valuable lessons, if we are willing to show up and take these lessons to heart. This is the way to move forward with more insight, ease, gratitude and contentment. The quest still remains – how to live life to the fullest, yet being detached – how to respond to life, rather than react out of habit – how to meet each day afresh, without coloring it with our conditioning – as it is an endless process of refinement and shedding of layers. And so the unfolding continues… 

I have learned that we are co-creators of our experience. This can be both liberating and challenging to hear, but I believe to my core that we have choices along the way – how we choose to show up and write the story of our lives – where we place our attention and invest our energy, no matter what life puts on our path. 

It is useful to have a mirror to help us see blind spots as we go about our life. Sometimes we miss the obvious. Sometimes we get stuck in certain narratives, patterns or behaviors that are not in service to where we want to go. It can be helpful to have someone keep us accountable, to stay committed to our own aspirations and goals. A mentor can help nudge you along when things get challenging and you want to quit. I am here to walk beside you and hold your highest vision. Together we break the work into bitesize pieces, so that you can continue to stay committed to the lifetime practice of creating the life you wish to live and refine the deepening connection to self.

Simply showing up. There will be tailored recommendations and resources provided along the way, but it is up to you how deep you want to dive in. My job is to provide you with support to continue your explorations. All I ask is that you are committed to our sessions together and make some extra space in your life for reflection and inspired action. If I am to mirror and nudge you along, I’d like to know that you are committed to a certain level of contemplation, exploration, and application in your day-to-day life. 

Karolinska Institute – BA in Public Health Sciences

Uppsala University – Nutrition and Dietetics

Uppsala University – International Health w/ focus on women and children

Kriya Yoga – initiated in 2008

Advaita Vedanta – studied since 2009

Hatha Yoga – studied and practiced since 2002 + certified in 2010

Ashtanga Yoga – studied and practiced since 2012

Philosophy studies – ongoing since early 2000

Vipassana retreats – three 10-Day silence retreats since 2010 + ongoing silent days

Teaching yoga, meditation and philosophy – since 2010

Mentorship sessions with clients – since 2015