Studio Prana, Purna Yoga Helsinki - Yoga – Yoga teachers

Yoga Teachers

Tove Palmgren

Tove Palmgren, E-RYT 500

Tove Palmgren, E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance), found Ashtanga vinyasa yoga on a Greek island in the summer of 1988.

“It was like meeting a long lost friend and turned into a profound relationship. It brought together the yearning to go within, in search for what is hidden from the eye and the yearning to move the body in a way where new layers of understanding can constantly be uncovered.”

Tove was the first person to practice and teach Ashtanga vinyasa yoga in Finland. Her methods of teaching have changed much over the years through both intense study and the work she has done with different teachers along the way. Ashtanga refers to the eight folded path of the ancient Indian sage Patanjali leading to samadhi, or union with the Divine.

A most profound impact on Tove's practice and teaching came through her meeting her current teacher Aadil Palkhivala. He introduced her to Purna Yoga.

It totally changed her own practice and not only her asana practice, but many other aspects of her life as well. It was the start of an exciting journey of transformation.

Tove has completed a 500-hour teacher training program at the College of Purna Yoga in Bellevue, Washington, USA and become an affiliate Purna Yoga instructor. "It is a wonderful program; the most professional, profound and caring I've ever experienced. It is a huge privilege to study with teachers like Savitri and Aadil and all other Purna Yoga teachers.

In February of 2011 Tove will continue her studies in Purna Yoga and will embark on the journey of the 2000 hour program to become a certified Purna Yoga instructor.

"I hope that through my teaching I can help my students become happier, healthier and more connected in their lives, so that they can find their own potential and growth."

Article in Finnish about Tove Palmgren from the Voi Hyvin - magazine (PDF)

Marjaana Mäkelä

Marjaana Makela has graduated from The College of Purna Yoga in London 2010.

She is a full time experienced yoga teacher and relaxing coach. Marjaana teaches also other styles of yoga eg hatha yoga, yin/yang yoga and inner yoga.

Marjaana, like Tove, has started her yoga path with Ashtanga vinyasa yoga and later on widened her horizons and found new perspectives on her yoga. ”I'm very interested in the endless possibilities with yoga. Different variations can be very supportive to each other.”

The Ashtanga yoga practice had served its time 2008 when Marjaana was introduced to Purna yoga. The first workshop was with Drew Stallcop and then Aadil Palkhivala came to Finland. ”Aadil's uncompromising integrity and truthfulness made a huge impact on me. Nothing in my yoga practice, nor my life, was the same after this meeting!”

As Aadil says: ”What is true to You? Does it ring true? Not for everybody, for You..”

Gradually it was clear that the only option was to go and study Purna Yoga deeper.

”Yoga is above all a way of life to me. I want to bring these ancient yogic philosophic wisdoms into our everyday life, to be part of our lives. Yoga practice for me is a journey deep inside, to reconnect with the peace, stability, broad-mindness, tolerance and joy from within.

Life and yoga is a constant process of learning, admiration and wonder. This is what I want to seek and share with my students; how to find the path to the inner wisdom of your own heart? Sounds so simple and yet so challenging...

I like, or more, I love my work since I want to serve and help people. I also want to diminish the prejudices regarding yoga. A sense of humour is important to me, yoga doesn't need to be so very serious!”

You can read more about Marjaana on her own web page: www.joogaaiora.fi

Carita Kauppinen

I got acquainted with yoga as a form of physical exercise for the first time in Australia in 2000 - but I wasn’t hooked yet. I was searching for a suitable form of yoga for many years and finally found it via meditation. I now have a better understanding of the wisdom and multiple possibilities a holistic yoga can offer to those who are engaged.

At the moment, yoga represents the path in my life I choose to walk on a daily basis, and not just the path but the experienced and knowledgeable guide who shows me the right direction and gives me the most brilliant tips for my journey. I will do my best to stay on the track!

As an instructor - as well as in my life in general - I hope that I can share what I have learnt in a truthful way, and thus support others on their own paths.

I’ve completed a 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training approved by the Yoga Alliance and am also a MB-life coach. Currently I continue with joy my yoga studies in the Purna Yoga teacher program.

Nicola Moberg (Scheiring)

I found yoga in a centre of spiritual studies in Guatemala, where I went through some life changing experiences. Eager to learn and to know everything about this great system, I took every class I could find while travelling to different countries. In Spain I studied to become a yoga instructor, to deepen my understanding, and was certified in 2005.

Well aware of the wonderful benefits of yoga for the mind and body, I became increasingly acquainted with these benefits during the pregnancy of my first child. Because of yoga’s focus on awareness of mind and body, I was sure my practice would help me through pregnancy. I became very enthusiastic about the whole process of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. In 2008 I studied Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, and since then it has been my passion to assist mothers and mothers to-be through this amazing chapter of their lives.

Yoga is a lifestyle, and by bringing it into all aspects of life, I think we can help to eliminate anxiety and suffering. If we start recognizing that all the power of the world lies within us, we can make the right choices and decisions. I trust this inner power that is created or awakened by yoga, and hope to share it with everyone who wants to join this journey.

I am an insured Diploma holder of Birthlight Perinatal Yoga certified by Francoise Barbira Freedman. Birthlight is an educational charity set up in Cambridge in the U.K. Freedman is author of “Yoga for pregnancy, birth and beyond”, “Postnatal Yoga” and more…

Drew Stallcop

Drew Stallcop teaches workshops in Studio Prana.

Drew has been practising yoga for over twenty two years and teaching for seven years. He began his study with Aadil Palkhivala and Savitri in 2003. In 2008 Drew graduated from the College of Purna Yoga Certificate Level - a 2000 hour program where he learned to truly embody Purna Yoga, becoming a holder of its flame.

"I believe yoga is the greatest self-development system in history. Purna Yoga brings that system into the 21st century as a vehicle for evolution."

Purna Yoga London is dedicated to teaching people how to lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Purna Yoga practitioners learn alignment-based asana, pranayama, and Purna Yoga Meditation (the art of aligning inner energies for transformation), along with nutrition and yogic philosophy, adapted for our lifestyles today. Like a tuning fork, Purna Yoga aligns our entire being with the vibration of truth and the Divine essence within us and all around us.

“Drew is highly knowledgeable in the field of purnayoga and deeply caring for his students. This rare and welcome combination makes him a truly fine teacher. All great teachers have constantly aspired to learn more. Drew’s eagerness to be a student and willingness to learn help him stand head and shoulders above the rest. Drew has my highest recommendation.”

- Aadil Palkhivala, JD, ND, Yoga Master

How to join

If you are new to yoga it would be a good idea to start with a introductory workshop where you learn the basics of Purna Yoga. The workshop will also prepare you for participating in Studio Prana's weekly classes. However, if this doesn't work for you, you can always come to a Level 1 class.

If you have practised yoga previously, you can sign up for a class with the link below.

Check the schedule and sign up!