Before I embarked on my journey with The Yoga Therapy Institute, my professional life was rooted in the fast-paced world of corporate communications. I worked for multinational companies, primarily in PR, where my days were defined by high-stakes messaging, internal and crisis communication. While I was already a yoga teacher (in parallel to my corporate job), I began to feel a profound sense of limitation during my group sessions. I realised I couldn't truly address the specific, individual needs of my students; instead, I was following a general approach that felt more like a fitness 'recipe' than a supportive practice.
I didn’t have a specific injury that led me here, but rather a realisation: I no longer resonated with the gym-style yoga from my initial teacher training. I was hungry for a deeper interaction with my clients. One that went beyond the physical poses and created a tangible, lasting impact on their lives.
Choosing the Right Path
Living in Romania, I searched for a certified institute in Europe that offered high-level training without the logistical complexity of traveling to another continent. What stood out about The Yoga Therapy Institute from the very first moment was the selection process. My interview with Montserrat made it clear that this was a premium school, not a "mass market" institution focused on volume. It was organic farming, as she calls it.
Once I began, I was surprised by the community and Montserrat’s unique teaching style — a rare blend of deep expertise, kindness, firmness, and rigorous academic standards. I remember the excitement of my first year, the live modules, and learning from valuable guest experts was exhilarating. Paradoxically, the most amazing part was learning how to unlearn many of the rigid concepts from my initial training.
The Challenge of Transformation
My journey through the 800-hour program was as much about personal resilience as it was about education. I graduated immediately after giving birth, which made my final exams incredibly intense. At one point, I pursued three demanding modules consecutively: Endocrine, Ayurveda, and Cancer.
When the pandemic hit and we switched to online learning, I had to adapt to a new way of connecting. However, the mentoring and clinical components remained the most valuable parts of the curriculum. They challenged my long-held beliefs and provided me with the practical tools to handle complex cases. My confidence shifted when I started seeing real-world results: clients who finally managed to improve their sleep, support their fertility, or navigate panic attacks through the tools I could now provide.
A New Professional Identity: Centrul EKA
Today, my professional life has completely transformed. I no longer call myself a "yoga teacher." I am a Therapist and Facilitator.
I have moved away from fitness spaces and yoga studios to open my own centre in Romania: Centrul EKA (Integrated Health Center. It is the first in the country to combine emotional, physical, and relational health support under one roof. My shift from 'volume' to 'value' is now complete:
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Bridging two worlds: Because of my background, I have been able to bring yoga therapy and mindfulness back into the corporate world. I now facilitate sessions for corporate teams, helping professionals navigate the same high-pressure environments I once worked in, but with a therapeutic, trauma-sensitive approach.
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Medical collaboration: I connect deeply with the medical world and patient communities, specifically those dealing with cancer and multiple sclerosis (currently running a program for the Association of Patients with Neurodegenerative Disease in Romania).
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Women’s health: I have found my mission in working with women, particularly those supporting their fertility or navigating pregnancy.
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A shift in presence: My language has shifted to be trauma-sensitive. I focus on softness and empathy, respecting my clients’ rhythms rather than imposing my own physical or mental boundaries.
Personal Growth and 'Chillpreneurship'
The training changed me on a cellular level — literally. It was during the Endocrine module that I became pregnant! Professionally, the journey gave me the courage to leave corporate life behind for what I now call 'chillpreneurship'. That doesn’t mean I am chill all the time, because entrepreneurship is an everyday rollercoaseter, combined with the full-time job of being a parent.
I relate to my clients differently now. I am more curious about the details of their lives and environments. I show up as an equal rather than a 'teacher', removing the power dynamics that often exist in traditional yoga settings. My understanding of health and chronic illness has evolved into a cross-functional, informed, and deeply compassionate perspective.
Advice to Future Students
I highly recommend this training to yoga teachers who want to evolve and have a real impact, as well as any health professional interested in somatics. If you are hesitating, I encourage you to connect with graduates or attend a demo workshop to gauge the level of commitment required.
To succeed in this field, you must have a genuine heart for helping people, a sense of responsibility, and a hunger for continuous learning. The transition from a 'preset' yoga style to a therapeutic one isn't always easy, but for me, it has been the most rewarding decision of my career.
