TEACHER FEATURE: ROMA

Roma has been teaching at our studio since March 2025. His classes are incredibly welcoming and physically challenging, yet remain highly accessible thanks to his open and humorous approach. Roma was born in the USSR, grew up in NYC, lived and worked all over the world, and has finally "settled down" in Berlin, where he feels like he belongs. Learn more about Roma.

• How did you first get into yoga?

  Randomly took a class at a NYC fitness studio when I was about 18. Felt calm and grounded after. Also, I have a long torso and short legs so a naturally deep forward fold was very encouraging.

  
  

• What has changed since you started practicing yoga?Literally everything. Location, country, mindstate, emotional landscape, wisdom, taste in music, anatomical knowledge, depth of experience in body and mind... and a bazillion hours of teaching all over the world later... ta-da!

  
  

• What is your funniest, most unexpected, or least yogic personality trait?

  I am a super-aggressive cyclist who gets into fights with drivers.

  
  

• What is one thing you would love to tell your younger self?Just breathe, little buddy: everything is gonna turn out

  better and more magical than you could ever dream.

  
  

• Is there something that used to be super hard in yoga and is easier now?

  Used to be super judgy. Now I'm like, "Everybody is doing the best they can with what they know and have. Yes, even the person who is literally texting while in Bridge Pose."

  
  

• Which classes do you teach at Mahalaya, and what can students expect from your classes?

  Strong, hot (30º) flows. Vinyasa-ish but heavier into mobility, proprioception, and fun. Very non-traditional creative flows. Open-level badassery. Lots of opportunities for play and acrobatics. Western music, zero Sanskrit. Practical mindfulness.