"As a teacher, Pirkko is a consummate professional. She is happy to give personal tips and advice to students, taking into account their special needs, and goes around correcting postures. She reminds them of structural factors that are good to consider when doing movements, such as a hunched back and overextended limbs. With Pirkko's guidance, you can trust that the movements will be done correctly." Heini, who worked in the school's office, tested Pirkko's Pilates course and wrote down her observations, read the interview.

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“As a teacher, I strive to offer challenges and experiences of success in an appropriate ratio, in a relaxed and accepting atmosphere,” says Saara, who works as an education manager and Pilates teacher at Helsinki Adult Education. “What brings balance to my work is that in addition to administrative work, I can also do teaching work, which I have gained experience in for over 15 years. I have a Master of Arts in Dance and a Somatic Pilates instructor. I started dancing in elementary school with ballet classes, and after trying out different dance styles, I discovered contemporary dance in high school. I have always been interested in anatomy and the functionality of the body, and that is how Pilates came into play. During my Pilates instructor training, I became interested in training pregnant women and those who have given birth, so in addition to basic Pilates classes, I also teach mother-baby Pilates. It is truly a blessing to be able to teach enthusiasts of different ages and stages of life!”

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Elina is a neuroscientist and yoga teacher with a deep fascination for the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science. She earned her PhD in neuroscience in London and later trained as a Purna Yoga teacher in Helsinki. She was drawn to yoga because it invites us to connect with our bodies – something she finds particularly valuable in managing migraines. Elina’s yoga classes combine insights from neuroscience with physical practices such as movement, breath and stillness, creating supportive and research-based spaces for presence and well-being.

Elina is a neuroscientist and yoga teacher with a deep love for where ancient wisdom meets modern science. She earned her PhD in Neuroscience in London and later trained as a yoga teacher at Purna Yoga Helsinki. What draws her to yoga is how it gently invites us to connect with our bodies – something she finds especially helpful when dealing with migraine. In her classes, Elina weaves together Insights from Neuroscience with embodied practices like movement, breath, and stillness, creating supportive and research-informed spaces for grounding and well-being. Read more | Find out more: www.elinaakjacobs.com

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Kajsa Siri Vedya has been studying yoga for 25 years and has been teaching it internationally since 2008. She has a Master of Philosophy from the University of Helsinki, a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher (level 1 and 2), Shakti dance teacher, yoga teacher trainer, energy healer and instructor of dance-movement therapeutic methods. Her calling is to create healing and holistically empowering yoga experiences through movement, breathing and meditation that help you recover and stay connected to yourself in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Kundalini yoga classes, you can practice yoga in a variety of ways in a gentle and accepting atmosphere, and draw inspiration from yoga philosophy. Read more: https://www.sirivedya.fi/

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Face yoga coach Heini has a BA in dance from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, specializing in somatics and body awareness. She is a sports counselor from Kisakallio Sports Institute and also a spiritual nurse (2200h 2,5 years). Heini has solid experience in performing alongside helping and teaching. She has worked with movement that maintains and develops the expressive power of the body and face since 2014 and as a dancer and dance teacher since 2002. Under Heini's guidance, people experience themselves through imagery, utilizing mindfulness. Heini guides her students to experience themselves not only as a body but as a whole, which leads to listening to their own body and recognizing self-realization and their own expressive power. The aim of the classes is to increase understanding of their own potential. Read more freedomtolive.fi

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“It all started when American musicals with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly dancing were shown on television in the 1970s. In 1974, I started taking tap dance lessons and it was a hit. Soon I was replacing my own tap dance teacher and was asked to teach. In the 1980s, I took lessons in New York for over a year. At that time, it was not possible to continue my studies, because tap dance was a marginal sport in Finland. I joined the Finnish Dance Artists Association in 1986. Aerobics came to Finland and sports institutes began to organize instructor courses of various levels, where I learned, among other things, how to direct and use music and sound. In 1990, I started as a teacher at the Helsinki Adult Education Institute. Today, I lead gymnastics and senior classes for the institute’s seniors. My mottos are “I dance at any age” and “Come to the gym as you are… if you can handle it.”

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Maria is a multidisciplinary professional in dance and movement and moves people of all ages, from babies to the elderly. “For me, dance and movement are about bodily exploration, expression and interaction with ourselves, each other and our environment. Body awareness and a positive attitude towards our own body and our world of experience promote mental health and everyday functioning in people of all ages,” says Maria. Maria’s classes involve movement in a cheerful, accepting and relaxed atmosphere, based on each participant’s own starting point, from brisk dance exercises and Barre, joyful dance and circus to calming Asahi or TRE. Maria is a trained dance teacher (BA), dance-movement therapeutic methods instructor, certified TRE instructor, Asahi Health instructor and occupational therapist. “Come as you are, settle into presence and you will find something new!”, Maria wishes. Read more www.mariakananen.comPhoto: Aura Nukari

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“I am a SJL yoga teacher trained by the Finnish Yoga Association. I have been teaching at the Helsinki Adult Education Center for 25 years! I currently lead senior groups and there are also plans for laughter yoga. As a teacher, I want to achieve well-being. It is important to do exercises that are regulated, suitable for each situation, and take into account each person’s needs. A versatile exercise with moments of relaxation, calm forms and movement sequences, makes you feel refreshed and motivates you to continue. The combination of breathing and movement teaches self-awareness, body awareness, and the need to increase your practice. As the body changes, it is important to maintain and promote functions,” Leena reminds. “I am inspired by the amazing power of interaction. Even though coaching is not my own practice, it gives me a boost for the day. And the feedback from the people I coach – they have made the week start lighter, happier, more confident. A joint practice is more than doing it alone at home: your concentration improves, you learn to suppress distractions, and quiet your mind. The atmosphere has an invigorating effect. For many, it is an absolute personal moment!”

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Namaskar, I am Anumatii🌸 Yoga has been part of my life for over 35 years, bringing both physical and mental well-being, which I hope to be able to guide forward. I am a RYT200-licensed yoga teacher. In addition to asana workshops, the training included anatomy and physiology studies, yoga philosophy, and meditation guidance. As a teacher, I gently and safely guide you through easy asanas. My course is suitable for everyone and does not require previous experience. Welcome to the performance-free zone, a mini-vacation for the mind, to leave your worries on the yoga mat🦋

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Heidi teaches Pilates and body care at the institute in beginner, advanced and senior groups, also in English. Through her Somatic Pilates training, she focuses on the holistic search for and discovery of balance and control of mind and body. For her teaching, Heidi applies ideas from her own work as a musician as a violinist and singer. Read more heidi.fi

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Helena, a native of Helsinki, graduated as a dancer and dance teacher from Stockholm University of the Arts (Stockholms konstnärliga högskola) in 1992. She holds a basic degree in dance and movement therapy from the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki (KOKOS) in 2013. Helena has also completed professional studies in dance and movement therapy and psychotherapeutic dance and movement therapy. As a dancer, Helena has worked, among others, in Aurinkobalet and Tanssiteattieri Eri. In addition to her work as a dancer, she has taught and directed dance and movement workshops for people of different ages and levels, as well as dance and movement therapy individually and in groups. A long and diverse career as a professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer has brought her interest, special experience, literacy and knowledge of the body, movement, creative work, different body techniques and forms of physical training.

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It is important to Annika to bring the joy of moving bodies, body awareness and creativity into people's everyday lives. Yoga and somatics have been an important part of Annika's life for decades. In her teaching, she combines her yoga and movement therapy background to make the teaching as accessible as possible. The theory of the five elements and the connection with the inner and surrounding nature have inspired her artistic work and teaching. In her work, she strives to make everyone's own body feel like a safe home in which to live. Community dance, movement improvisation and shindo are also significant parts of Annika's life. She graduated with a BA from Naropa Institute with a major in Movement Studies (dance and movement therapy) and from the School for New Dance Development, as well as from the Theatre Academy in the Netherlands (with an emphasis on somatics, dance and choreography). Annika has completed a diploma in dance pedagogy at the Theatre Academy, as well as SJL yoga, Integral yoga and yoga therapy degrees, and is also a Shindo instructor and masseuse. She has worked as a teacher at art academies and led creative dance instructor training in Joensuu. Currently, in addition to teaching at a community college, she works as a dance artist in a group called Todellinen Kollektiivi and teaches dance to children with special needs.

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I have been a dancer since I was a child. I studied contemporary dance in Salzburg and at the Theatre Academy, and I work in a multidisciplinary way with art and dance. I am observant and sensitive, endlessly interested in movement and movement. I teach Pilates gently, emphasizing getting to know your own body, listening to it, and challenging it to the appropriate degree. Pilates is relaxing due to the experientiality and concentration that are developed by performing the movements and listening to the body. In addition to dance, I am interested in nature, forests, and hiking.

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I come from the beautiful alpine landscape of Salzburg, Austria. I initially studied languages ​​and humanities and also studied in Spain. I came to my second home country, Finland, in 2004. Nutrition and the effect of nutrition on metabolism have always interested me, so I completed my diploma in nutrition therapy in 2020. Yoga is close to my heart, and one of my best decisions has been to train as a yoga instructor (200 hours – Purna Yoga Teacher, Beginners level) in 2023. I get joy in life from my own small family, the wonderful Finnish nature, outdoor activities, dance and yoga. I offer yoga lessons in English, and if necessary also in Finnish and German – Welcome, Tervetulo, Herzlich Wilkommen!

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I am a face yoga teacher and holistic wellness expert. My heart is in teaching face yoga and mindful presence. I bring years of experience to every class – guiding gently, clearly and with warmth. I also have a professional teaching qualification and an extensive background in wellness, mindfulness and body-listening guidance. My teaching is therefore both expert and heartfelt.

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Annina is a teacher who moves between different dance and movement practices and cultures, and her strongest expertise is related to African dances. She has worked for a long time as a dance teacher and Pilates instructor, and has performed in several African dance and music ensembles in Finland and abroad. Having studied dance and cultural studies in a variety of ways, Annina has trained on numerous study trips to different parts of Europe, West Africa and Latin America, delving into West African, but also more broadly African dances, music and cultures. Annina's goal is to create a relaxed and open atmosphere in the classes, where everyone is seen and feels welcome. The things that are important to her in teaching are conveying the joy and community of dance, encouraging interaction, presence and self-expression, and understanding rhythms and cultural connections. Read what our service and administration manager Venla wrote About Annina's Afrobeats course.

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“I have always been interested in anatomy as experienced through bodily experience. For me, it means a way of moving that balances the body and mind and at the same time learns more about oneself. With my physiotherapy studies, the importance of functionality in my teaching has been emphasized. Training must support the moving body in everyday life and in different sports as needed – with the right amount of challenge, relaxation and concentration,” says Terhi. She is a movement and dance art professional who approaches the moving body from the perspectives of dance, Pilates technique and physiotherapy. Terhi is a Master of Dance Arts, physiotherapist and Pilates instructor by education. During her long dance career, she has also gained a lot of experience in teaching, mostly in Pilates and contemporary dance. In her teaching, Terhi likes to creatively combine elements from different areas of expertise, taking into account the needs and wishes of the group she is teaching. Photo: Tanja Ahola

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