Alexandra Harfield
Yoga & Movement
My first yoga class came early, at the tender age of nine. I distinctly remember the lion pose, sticking out my tongue and roaring "ahhhhhhhhh", the sound and fury of it probably more kitten than a big cat.
It would be many years later in New York before yoga, and I crossed paths again. First, I had the incredible opportunity to train there as a dancer. Then, I found myself taking part in a Yoga class one day, and it just clicked.
Over the next few months, yoga gradually became second nature. The deeper I immersed myself into it, the more I appreciated its benefits. Yoga went from habit to habitus, becoming part of me and my life.
Same-same, but different
With my background in dance, I have always loved to dive into different movement systems. Yoga is also full of different styles and interpretations, and I have benefited from not being attached to just one form. I am a keen and constant learner, so the way I teach and practise is constantly changing and evolving. More than ten years of teaching yoga have been a life lesson for me. And the most important aspect of wisdom I found is something we all know but often ignore: Every person is unique.
Our genetics and anatomies are different. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. So, I like to teach a movement practice that has depth, about helping you get a better understanding of how your body moves, creating a path of intelligent stepping stones and plenty of ‘a-ha’ moments along the way.
To each his/her own
Yoga takes a holistic view of the human body, mind, and spirit. Over years of teaching, I have found that it is best to be authentic. Therefore, you won't find any chanting or dharma talk in my classes, but the yoga practice is your face to face with the mirror of the mat, and I am happy to be your guide. There is a unique style of yoga for every individual. The best form of yoga is the one that fits you. And if the fit is right, it teaches you how strong you are. It connects the outer you with your inner self. It allows you to tap into your source of energy. It unlocks a force strong enough to push aside the obstacles life puts in our path every day.
One to One
Yoga has a long tradition of one-on-one lessons. For the student to reap the richest rewards, the teacher must objectively look at the individual's situation and tailor the practice.
I'm a girl from down under who loves flip flops
I grew up on the other side of the world, ‘Down Under’ just outside Melbourne. I'm now at home in Germany, even calling thongs 'flip flops', much to the dismay of my family.
Movement and performance have always been a part of my life, and it is indeed a blessing to be able to do what I love and connect with the most. My professional career has followed many paths, but the red thread that weaves through continues to be movement in all its styles, possibilities and performance.
The beautiful Taunus near Frankfurt is where I am currently at home. I love that I can enjoy the buzz of the city if I want to but still be close to nature.
I love what I do, spending my time preparing for projects, new shows or events, being in the rehearsal space or on location. Then, when it's time to wind down, you'll find me pottering around on my terrace or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.