About Nina

My lifelong curiosity about the human body, mind, and existence has always guided my journey, drawing me to a deep, ongoing study of yoga and holistic disciplines like Ayurveda alongside scientific fields such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, and nutrition. Driven by a desire to live a holistic and sustainable life—and to inspire others to do the same—I’m passionate about supporting others in healing, growing, and thriving through my work as an educator, author, blogger, and therapist.

biography

My yoga journey began in London in 1998, where I first discovered its transformative power. After moving to the U.S., I earned my first yoga teaching diploma in 2005 and began teaching soon after. In 2006, I returned to Europe and opened Sangha Yoga Studio in my hometown, Zagreb, Croatia. I continued expanding my practice and knowledge by attending workshops and training worldwide, eventually earning a 300-hour yoga teacher certification. My studies with some of today’s most respected yoga teachers deepened my understanding and inspired me to develop my unique approach to Vinyasa Yoga. By 2009, I was ready to share this approach through Yoga Teacher Training courses. I established a school offering 200- and 300-hour programmes and Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training in Milan, Italy, Sri Lanka, and Portugal. As my teaching expanded globally, I was drawn to spend more time in Portugal. In 2019, after years of leading international retreats and workshops, I closed my studio in Zagreb and made Portugal my home base.

My passion for mental health led me to study Body-Oriented Psychotherapy (Core Evolution with Siegmar and Cornelia Gerkin), which I completed in 2018, and pursue advanced courses in trauma work with leading professionals in the field. I earned my psychology degree with distinction and began integrating this knowledge into Yoga Teacher Training modules like Somatic Awareness and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. Alongside this, I pursued yoga therapy training, gaining new insights into yoga’s potential as a healing modality for various health challenges. To better support my clients, I also completed a course in plant-based nutrition in clinical practice.

Today, I continue to channel my passion for holistic health as an educator, leading advanced training programs through the Spanda Institute and developing new curricula. I also work one-on-one with clients, combining yoga therapy, somatic psychotherapy, and holistic health practices to foster healing, growth, and self-awareness.

In addition to my work as a therapist and educator, I am the author of Embodied Calm and Safe Space: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. I also blog on a wide range of subjects—from yoga and psychology to sustainability, nutrition, and plant-based recipes. Through these books, my writing, and my work, I remain committed to supporting others on their journeys toward a balanced, thriving life.

education

(Yoga and other holistic disciplines)