Skadi van Paasschen
Skadi van Paasschen’s journey into yoga has always been deeply rooted in movement, curiosity and a profound understanding of the human body.
Her passion for movement began at an early age. As a child she was fascinated by what the body could do, eventually becoming a member of the Dutch Junior National Gymnastics Team at the age of eleven. After several years of intensive training and competition, injuries led her onto a different path. She went on to study Mensendieck Movement Therapy, developing a deep understanding of posture, movement, breathing and the body’s capacity to heal. She worked for many years as a movement therapist in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and private practices.
Skadi discovered yoga in 2003 and immediately felt a strong connection with the practice. A year later, in 2004, she completed her Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Moves in Utrecht. This was a pivotal moment in her life. Rather than simply receiving a certificate, Skadi was given the opportunity to step into teaching straight away.
That opportunity became an essential part of Skadi’s journey. By teaching, exploring and learning through experience, she was able to develop her own voice as a teacher and gradually grow into the teacher she is today. Looking back, she feels deeply grateful to Hilary for believing in her and opening that door at such an important moment in her life.
Following her teacher training, Skadi travelled to Mysore, India, where she fell in love with Ashtanga Yoga and had the opportunity to learn from members of the Jois family, including Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Saraswathi Jois. Her practice continued to evolve through years of study, travel and teaching.
Her exploration of yoga also led her towards Yin Yoga. She studied with teachers including Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers, discovering a complementary dimension to the dynamic practices of Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Over the years, these different influences have come together with her background in movement therapy to shape a teaching style that honours both the strength and the sensitivity of the body.
Today, Skadi teaches Yin Yoga, Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Pilates, with a strong emphasis on body awareness, conscious movement and the connection between breath and body. Her classes combine physical practice with mindfulness, creating space for both dynamic exploration and stillness.
After more than two decades of teaching, Skadi continues to see yoga as an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Her approach is grounded in experience, curiosity and respect for the uniqueness of every body.
At the heart of her teaching is a simple belief: there is always more to discover when we learn to listen to the body.
