photo: Hendrik Thul.
I am more than happy to notice our society’s new obsession with self-development, mindfulness and general mental hygiene. “Self Care” is not a niche anymore, it has become more of a common need. Even in Berlin, where our generation rather used to give in to pleasure and partying than nurturing thoughts on self-reflection. Now, practicing morning meditation daily with the Headspace App or going for a healthy breakfast has become a trusted routine for many.
Yoga – the mother of physical and mental self-care – is now more in demand than ever. So we thought we’d encourage you to take care of your wellbeing and bring you closer to some of Berlins most amazing Yogis. Their expertise about the yoga scene will give you an insight of which yoga studio to visit and who to follow online for more information on meditation practice and the mindset that comes with it.
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by Franziska | Wellness
In this day and age, we are constantly exposed to countless impressions and digital distractions that leave us exhausted. Many apps try to reach us with their push messages, while social media is making it easy to compare ourselves to our high-achieving colleagues at work. And if that isn’t enough stress, living in a big city like Berlin, life is loud and busy. In need of good wellness tips, I reached out to the amazing Michaela Aue, who has got detoxing and balanced living down, like no other. Michaela works as a yoga teacher and consultant and has recently launched a very powerful podcast, Die Kunst du selbst zu sein (The art of being you), that discusses everything we need for a balanced and healthy life.
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by Franziska | People, Wellness
When you’ve got your life somehow vaguely figured out in Berlin, it is very easy to fall into a weekly routine. You see the same people, eat at the same restaurants and go after your favorite hobby. And somehow, this routine becomes dangerously comfortable, until boredom dares us to try something new. Personally, I fear and love my comfort zone. Love it, because Netflix & Angry Chicken with my hubby is fricking amazing. Hate it, because it keeps my mind from expanding. So, I challenge you and me to go out and try something new in the upcoming weeks. I came up with some ideas, fellas, see you there!!
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by Franziska | Stories
Sponsored.
To get in the mood for the Berlinale festivities, Audi invited us to their Berlinale Open House program at the Audi Berlinale Lounge at Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. During the entire run of the film festival, Audi and the Berlinale have put together an interesting and diverse program of panels, performances, and interviews, that are taking place in the comforts of their elegant and yet cozy lounge.
We loved the classy and glamorous feel of the place, with its dark walls, dimmed lights, stylish food and drinks, and the first class view right onto the Red Carpet. The location is one of a kind, since it is right next to the Red Carpet and thus part of the event. On Saturday, we went there to experience one of their new formats this year: Electric Minds.
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by Franziska | Events, Movies, Stories
Sponsored.
This week, already for the 69th time, Berlin will yet again move into the spotlight of the international film industry as the Berlin International Film Festival – or short: Berlinale – opens on Thursday!
For 10 days, the city will vibrate with sensational events – innumerable film screenings, glamorous receptions and parties, all brimming with the brightest stars of the film industry. And naturally, everyone is giddy with anticipation waiting for the jury to announce who is going to be awarded the prestigious Golden and Silver Bears.
But that’s not all: a full program of exciting events is awaiting you in the Audi Berlinale Lounge located directly on the red carpet in front of the cinema that shows the film premieres at the Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. The Berlinale Open House program is inviting you to join morning Electric Yoga, fascinating workshops and compelling panel talks discussing the burning issues of our time, excellent live music and much more.
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by Frank | Events
Is your beloved busy big city life getting to you sometimes? We talked to the wonderful Rebecca Randak, experienced Yogi and Mindfulness blogger on Fuck Lucky Go Happy, on how to reduce stress induced by our busy Berlin and finding balance. Learn more about her ways of being mindful in the city, her favorite yoga studios and her introduction to a simple meditation technique that anybody can do.
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by Franziska | People
When opening our eyes every morning, we have hundreds of tasks raining down on us the minute we become conscious of our day. Of all that needs to be done, demands to be met, calls to be made, deadlines keep up with. Well aware of the fact that life in a busy city like Berlin can become stressful, loud and overwhelming for us once in a while, we would like to introduce you to methods that will keep your mind and body sane and happy.
To all of you who are new to the concept of mindfulness, you can look forward to our new series of posts, that will teach you more about how to get back to happiness in a place that is so full of noise and demands. To start, we picked some fun and helpful events and workshop for this summer that will get you started and your mind and body back to balance.
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by Franziska | Wellness
photos: Alicia Kassebohm
The following guest-article is brought to us by our favorite Berlin-based Yoga teacher and founder of Your Space Michaela Aue who is making the iHeartBerlin team sweat like animals and giggle like kids in all of her classes.
Berlin is Yoga heaven but Berlin men can be a Yoga hell. But before I go into this in detail let me tell you just a bit about me. I am yoga teacher living and working in Berlin for many years now. My best friend would probably describe me as a white-wearing creative chaos of some sort. For most of my adult life I have been consumed with the search of the ‘Mind-Body-Connection’. Sounds so cheesy, but it is so true. Some might call it ‘the moment of bliss’ while others call it ‘being in your center’. The balance between body and mind is probably something we can all agree on for now.
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by Guest Author | People, Stories
photos: Markus Abele
I totally get that Yoga is not for everybody. Sometimes when I am sitting there, in one of those hardcore Jivamukti classes where they sing all together and talk about important life lessons I try to imagine the face of my grandmother when the yoga teacher says: “You are a beautiful flower. And now please spread your legs and hips wide to let the deep emotions in. Like the sunshine is entering with its beams into your inner flower”.
My secret method to enjoy these kinds of situations is taking it with a sense of humor. It’s like a free live episode of one of your favorite comedy shows and you build muscles and flexibility while watching it. I call it a win-win! But that does not mean that I don’t take yoga seriously. Actually, it’s one of the few things in my weekly routine that helped me in many situations of life for the past 8 years.
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by Claudio | Books, Wellness
Both my parents studied German Philosophy at University. The hallway of our home was an entire library filled with old books showcasing the Stars of this particular scene. From Kant to Nietzsche, we had them all year around us and our lives. One day I discovered one particular book that was called “Zen and the Art of Archery”. Little did I know as a teenager that this book was a tremendous bestseller back in the days when German philosophy was really hip and cool. It’s about a German professor going to Japan to learn more about Zen. On top of getting philosophy lessons the old Japanese master also teaches him archery.
Now, nearly 15 years after discovering this book I am going to my first intuitive archery lesson here in Berlin. On Kottbusser Damm I am looking for a Dojo called BerlinAikido where I am meeting my teacher Latifa Rothacker.
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by Claudio | Stories
