Liisa Tamminen

 

As a native Finn now living in Switzerland, I have the privilege of teaching yoga across both Finland and Switzerland. My journey with yoga began in childhood, introduced by my mother during a time when it was still considered a niche practice. My first formal encounter with yoga took place while studying to become a professional violist in the Netherlands. I discovered a yoga class at the dance academy within the same building as the music academy. Somehow, I managed to sneak into the class with all those professional dancers (and I remember thinking that yoga was really challenging!). I was captivated by the challenge and benefits of yoga from my very first session and started practising yoga daily. I quickly recognized its profound impact on my well-being and viola playing, and understood that I found something I never should give up.

 

Throughout my career as an orchestral musician, I pursued extensive yoga studies worldwide, driven by a desire to deepen my understanding of both yoga and myself. During a time when yoga was less commercialized and teacher training opportunities were scarce, my dedication led me to become a sought-after yoga teacher.

 

I have explored various yoga styles through workshops and lessons around the globe, ultimately finding that Iyengar Yoga best suited my needs. Over the years, I had the privilege of studying with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher Glenn Ceresoli in Australia and India, and participated in numerous courses across Europe. To date, I have accumulated over 1,000 hours of professional yoga teacher training. I hold a Yoga Alliance certification, as well as certificates from Level 1 and 2 Iyengar Yoga teacher trainings and several advanced Iyengar Yoga teacher training courses. Additionally, I am certified to teach Yoga for Children through Yoga Beez.

 

 

Through my experience teaching hundreds of students, including many musicians seeking relief from their professional challenges, I discovered that my yoga style naturally evolved toward a simpler yet highly effective approach. My teaching now blends the principles of Hatha Yoga with the precise alignment techniques of Iyengar Yoga. Since 2005, I’ve also developed a unique “Yoga for Musicians” practice, combining insights from both yoga and my musical background to support my colleagues and clients.

 

I taught for 17 years at the Zürich Hochschule der Künste (Art University of Zürich, Switzerland), where I had the pleasure of sharing my expertise with many musicians. I continue to teach at the Sibelius Academy, Art University of Helsinki, and offer a range of classes including live streaming sessions, workshops, retreats and both group and one-on-one instruction.

 

Currently, I happily divide my time between teaching yoga and working as a freelance violist and baroque violist. My international performances span orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and early music groups. Additionally, my unique solo project that combines meditation with baroque music has received acclaim and sold-out performances at music festivals and yoga events alike.