Charlotte Messerschmidt

I taught yoga when it was still exotic - around 2005 - in a gym, without proper training. I learned it from my sister, who brought it with her from the USA. She emigrated and I took over her class. When the studio closed, I gradually lost yoga for almost ten years.

A classic brought me back: dumped, lonely, and then I saw the video of Arthur Boorman - recovered from blatant physical limitations, thanks to a yoga teacher. (I've since learned it was DDP aka Diamond Dallas Page). It clicked. I wanted that too - to help, to build, to give a good feeling inside and outside. I found a teacher training and spent the following two years each Thursday night in a studio on the top floor of a Berlin back building.

I didn't fit in! The others were fresh, wore sexy leggings, were fully into it and were clouded by a spirituality that I still don't have. I was anemic, regularly falling asleep, freezing, constantly questioning if this was it and was wearing worn-out joggers.

There were people who wouldn't accept me giving up - colleagues, family, friends, fellow trainees. Thanks for that.

It still didn't fit. On the subway home, I listened to Disarmonia Mundi, Parkway Drive, Lamb of God. "You can't do that! Metal is all about death and destruction." Uh... no, but it irritated me nonetheless. Can I only teach yoga if I don't listen to metal anymore?

The universe briskly led me to Black Yo)))ga.... warm light, fireworks - yes, you can do yoga to heavy metal. It works, people join. And on April 4, 2016, I taught Schwαrzes Yoga for the first time. A lot has changed since then, but it's on. Thank you to my beloved yogis. You are the most important!

Who I was allowed to meet since then, which movie triggers laughter in half of the classes and what exciting projects arise all the time - I'd like to tell you after an hour of Schwαrzes Yoga - lovingly guided to your favorite music from metal and hard rock.