About the Yoga Therapist
Introduction
Meet Nadia, Malta's first yoga therapist in training dedicated to obtain accreditation by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) in America.
Beyond the serene asanas and tranquil breaths lies a narrative shaped by unwavering dedication, professional expertise, and purpose. Nadia seamlessly blends her knowledge of yoga therapy with a background in psychology, HR management, business administration, and gymnastics, having once been a member of the national gymnastics team. This combination of experiences enriches her holistic approach, offering a unique blend of physical mastery and mental insight.
Addressing a spectrum of concerns ranging from sedentary lifestyles to trauma, addiction, and beyond, Nadia extends her compassionate support to diverse populations, including but not limited to the elderly, people affected by cancer, and individuals dealing with anxiety or loss. Her dedication creates a nurturing sanctuary for healing and growth.
Overview
Committed to becoming the first IAYT-certified (International Association of Yoga Therapists) yoga therapist in Malta, Nadia is currently advancing her training at the Yoga Therapy Institute in the Netherlands.
Her yogic journey began with a comprehensive Yoga Alliance-Registered 200-hour teacher training in Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga which she completed in India in 2017. Nadia also completed her kids’ yoga teacher training with the renowned Cayatena Rodenas from Spain.
In addition to her yoga pursuits, Nadia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Hons) from the University of Malta. Having graduated in 2007, her academic focus included a study on the lived experience of people with facial disfigurement in Malta.
In 2013, Nadia’s dedication to academic excellence culminated in her graduation with distinction from her Masters in HR Management and Business. Attending Aston University in Birmingham, UK, she was honoured with the prestigious BGS award recognizing her as a high achiever in her field. Nadia established her long-standing career working in high-positions within the HR field. Consequently, she’s uniquely positioned to address a wide range of issues, ranging from workplace related challenges such as sedentary lifestyles or heavy-lifting concerns to more complex issues like addiction, grief, personal concerns and more severe terminal health matters.
Her experience as a former National Team member of gymnastics combined with her current training provides Nadia with a holistic understanding, from a biopsychosocial perspective, of the challenges encountered by athletes. This background enriches her approach to yoga therapy, allowing her to tailor interventions that address the unique needs of athletes and non-athletes alike.
To date, Nadia has worked with diverse clients in yoga therapy, including individuals grappling with conditions as Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, substance rehabilitation, musculoskeletal injuries, trauma, epilepsy, and anxiety, among others. The feedback from her clients has been consistently positive, underscoring her unwavering commitment to providing effective and compassionate support throughout their healing journeys.
As a former National Team member of gymnastics in Malta during her younger years, she has a keen interest in working with athletes and all the challenges and issues faced by sports persons.
Other key areas of interest are:
- Working with the elderly
- Working with persons affected by cancer
- Persons with addiction
- Loss and bereavement
Her Story
From personal transformation to professional expertise, Nadia's journey embodies the healing power of yoga and her commitment to empowering others through tailored, compassionate care.
The Beginning
In 2012, amidst overwhelming anxiety, severe depression and debilitating sleep deprivation, Nadia tentatively ventured into the world of yoga. As an impact sport enthusiast, she was initially sceptical, but remained open to new possibilities. Without much commitment at first, due to deteriorating health, she was encouraged by others and cautiously attended a few more mainstream yoga classes. That’s when she got hooked. Nadia discovered with increasing practice, a profound shift in her mindset, with her outlook toward life improving, diet healthier, and body stronger. She embraced a healthier lifestyle marked by vitality and inner balance.
Over time, Nadia overcame a range of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Through perseverance and yoga practice, she experienced notable improvements in emotional stability, resilience, mental peace and clarity, physical well-being and universal awareness, all while rekindling her strength and determination to pursue her aspirations. This led her to participate in a series of yoga workshops and retreats, further enriching her understanding of yoga’s holistic benefits.
Yoga Teacher Training
Inspired by the benefits obtained through her three and a half years of practice, Nadia sought to understand the underlying biomechanics and philosophy of yoga. That’s when she set off to Rishikesh, India where she completed her Yoga Alliance-Registered 200-hour teacher training. With no intention to teach, she returned home posting photos of her own practice in rural Malta. This created opportunities to host her first yoga class, her first corporate yoga session, and her first one-on-one. Concurrently, she also pursued her certification in kids’ yoga teaching.
Through her teaching endeavours, Nadia recognized the importance of safe and personalized attention, particularly to individuals with specific health concerns. She realized that traditional yoga classes often overlooked the diverse needs of participants, such as those with diabetes, knee issues, or anxiety. To her, yoga is less about moving the body in extreme ways and more about adopting different yogic principles tailored to individual bodies. This fuelled her commitment to offering tailored education that integrates yoga’s principles for the benefit of each individual.
Yoga Therapy Training
Client safety and empowerment has consistently been Nadia’s foremost priority. Despite initial apprehensions about returning to academic study, her intrinsic curiosity and passion drove her to pursue a more meaningful life where she could leave a lasting positive impact on those she met. This determination prompted her enrolment in the IAYT-Accredited Yoga Therapy program. This with the intention to support clients live independently, with more ease, harmony within themselves, and awareness of the patterns that may or may not contribute toward their well-being.
Her Outlook
As Nadia continues to work therapeutically with her clients, she gains a deeper appreciation for the expansive nature of yoga therapy. She perceives her pursuit for knowledge and her aspiration to inspire others as an ongoing journey for both herself and those she meets. Fuelled by her passion for transformation and vitality, she believes that yoga therapy fosters an opportunity for growth and for taking ownership of one’s life’s situations, guiding individuals toward a path of increased ease and acceptance. Nadia is committed to creating a positive experience for those that join her, providing a safe and holistic space not just physically, but from a whole-person perspective giving regard to the biomedical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of individuals.
