Birgit Penzenstadler

Birgit Penzenstadler is a yoga and breathwork teacher and an Embodied Mindfulness Coach. She works at the intersection of ancient philosophies and the latest scientific research. Her mission is to connect people with their own presence and intuition, so they can take charge of their lives in the best way. She supports people in their pursuit of more health, well-being, inner peace, creativity and happiness.

She has studied Eastern and Western traditions for many years, rooted in the Sivananda yoga lineage and Buddhist teachings. Her focus is on the philosophies and modalities that build physical and mental capability, emotional capacity, resilience and neuroplasticity. Her work draws on breathing practices, physical exercise, meditation, massage, touch points, plants, oils, nature, crystals and holding space, combined for each person's specific support. She is certified as a 500-hour registered yoga teacher, with additional training in breathwork (pranayama), and is a Reiki level II practitioner. She guides meditation and breathwork on Insight Timer.

Her own practice shaped her approach. She describes using these techniques to release years of stress-related tension, locked-away pain and looping fears, and to find deep peace with what is. She cares about all people, whatever their origins, gender, race, age, looks or beliefs. She believes in the innate human capacity to overcome struggle, and that love is the ruling principle of the universe.

Alongside her teaching, Birgit is an associate professor of Software Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, known for her work on environmental sustainability in software engineering. In 2022 she gave a TEDx talk in Göteborg on how wellbeing, resilience and sustainability are connected, and how to consider them when designing technology.