Irina feels a deep longing for exploring consciousness. She used to sit in silence for hours in the church of her hometown and felt at ease in the surrounding nature with animal life. Later on it was in dance where she experienced the freedom and endless space that is ours to roam. In 2003 Irina discovered Astanga Vinyasa Yoga when she entered a Mysore- room for the first time. It was still early in the morning– Amsterdam was sound asleep – but here everybody was wide awake, present and breathing as one. Irina felt an immediate connection and the practice became her companion, in good times and in bad. Good and bad, heaven and earth; our existence is by nature bi-polar. It therefor didn’t take long before Yin Yoga crossed Irina’s path. This gentle form of yoga is a welcome addition to dynamic forms as it nurtures and heals on a deep level. Irina practices a style of Yin that includes Buddhist teachings, cultivating attention and awareness (mindfulness). The quality of breath and meditative aspects are central in Irina’s classes. She loves helping and motivating students to start their own daily yoga practice. Irina continues her studies with various teachers, in particular Claudia Pradella, Petri Räisänen and Sarah Powers (Insight Yoga Institute). Irina completed over 300 hours of teacher trainings. More information: www.irinavandersluijs.nl