Hi!
I am Alessandra, born in Rome, Italy, but currently living on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.
From a very young age, I was always a very shy and insecure person, with an inner restlessness that pushed me to seek a deeper meaning in life. This search led me to travel to various places around the world, such as India, Nepal, and Tibet, among others.
I already had a deep connection with spirituality, particularly with Dzogchen teachings and Tibetan Buddhism, through my parents and the teacher who brought these teachings to the West, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.
The practice of meditation and yoga has been fundamental tools in my journey of self-discovery and healing.
Through these practices, I have learned to connect with my deepest self, overcome fears and limitations, and cultivate greater peace and balance in my daily life.
Yantra Yoga
Throughout my life, I have worked in many different fields, but what has always drawn my attention is finding something that allows me to connect my emotions and thoughts with my physical body—the only tangible thing in the here and now. That is why I became passionate about dance, the Pilates method, Yoga, and, in particular, Yantra Yoga, the Tibetan Yoga of Movement, in which I trained as an instructor in 2010.
This form of yoga stands out from others because it is a system that works on the physical level while placing great importance on the breath, which is connected to the energy that circulates through our body and to mental presence.
Yantra Yoga helps us become more aware of our body and control our breathing, which is one of the main means of coordinating vital energy (prana). Since our physical and mental well-being depends on the state of our energy, it is essential for it to be balanced. In this way, we can maintain good physical health and a calm, present, and relaxed mental state—the foundation for a deeper understanding of ourselves.
The goal in Yantra Yoga is not so much about holding a perfect posture with the physical body but rather about deeply understanding the relationship between body posture and breath, and ultimately, how this affects the state of the mind.
Conscious breathing
Thanks to Yantra Yoga, I came to understand the importance of breathing and was able to deepen this knowledge through the Respira method.
In the modern world, due to poor posture and the stress of daily life, most people breathe in a shallow and irregular way, occasionally holding their breath—especially in moments of tension. This leads to many physical and mental issues. For this reason, ancient disciplines placed great emphasis on breathing, because if our breath is deep and relaxed, our energy and mind will be as well.
Respira is a method of specific exercises designed to deconstruct poor breathing habits. It is suitable even for those who cannot (or do not want to) practice yoga, as the exercises can be performed while sitting in a chair or standing. It was created by Fabio Andrico, one of the first students of Yantra Yoga in the West.
In 2016, after several years of study and practice, I became certified as a Respira instructor, and in 2022, I was accredited as one of the first instructor trainers of this method.
Wanting to learn even more about breathing and how to use it to help manage emotions, improve physical health, and enhance mental clarity, in November 2024, I participated in the instructor training course for the Oxygen Advantage Method® and in May 2025 I was accredited as an Oxygen Advantage® Advanced Instructor.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Spiritual practice has been essential in my life and personal development, particularly in relation to Dzogchen teachings. The word Dzogchen means “Total Perfection” and refers to the true inherent nature of all beings.
Dzogchen teaches us to become aware of our condition, to discover how we are and how we function. It is a concrete understanding of the state of existence—a key that can open people’s awareness beyond social and religious differences.
Integrating physical body practice with mental presence is crucial, as it can help us manage stress and emotions in daily life. One does not need to be a spiritual person to understand the importance of mental presence. When we are distracted, we act mechanically: while doing one thing, we are already thinking about what we will do next or what we did yesterday, without realizing that we are slaves to our emotions and thoughts.
I came to understand that stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness practice are tools that can help everyone in a practical and concrete way, without requiring them to change their lifestyle, beliefs, or religion. For this reason, in 2020, I completed a course in Stress and Anxiety Management and a Personal Coaching – Life Coaching course with Shiné Psicología y Coaching S.L. Additionally, in 2024, I became a certified Mindfulness instructor accredited by the Complementary Medical Association.
My passions
My other great passion, aside from Yantra Yoga and the study of breathing, has always been dance. I love dancing—all types of dance. It brings me immense joy and, just like yoga, allows me to fully and unmistakably experience the presence of my body, mind, and energy all at once.
In 2024, I became certified as an instructor of Khaita Joyful Dances, a collection of dances inspired by songs from contemporary Tibetan artists.
Another passion of mine is hiking—walking in nature. Whenever I forget that I am part of something greater, like a single cell within the vast body of life itself, I feel the need to go out and walk in nature until I lose all sense of “self” and individuality, allowing me to reconnect with the universe.