Teachers & Facilitators

Stephen Thomas

Stephen [eng] is the founder of svarupa and our senior teacher. He brings 25 years of experience and knowledge and remains passionate about his study and practice. He was a long term student of O.P. Tiwari at Kaivalyadham in India - a master in the science of Pranayama and Ayurveda.

Stephen Thomas

He combines that foundation with decades of study and exploration in the fields of alignment-based asana, breath and meditation. His work brings together a subtle mix of practices from the vinyasas systems and his deep connection to the clarity of B.K.S Iyengar’s approach. He teaches in a way that recognizes the possibility of healing, freedom and joy through discipline and dedication but without imposing dogma. "Yoga is not necessarily the path, but rather it shines the light on one's path and reveals the essence of one's self - svarupa."

Stephen leads the programs and teaches at both studios of svarupa in Bern. For over 15 years he also holds classes, trainings and immersions as a senior teacher at AIRYOGA in Zurich.

He is a father and husband and dedicates his time to family life, writing, documenting and researching Yoga. He also works one-on-one with many students and helps to mentor teachers in the community. His passion for travel, art, architecture and design can be seen in our spaces.

Brigi Thomas-Moog

Brigi [de/eng] is a dedicated student of Yoga since 2008. Her background in western science, combined with the profound studies in Ayurveda with her main teacher Pandit Dr. David Frawley allows her to merge the wisdom and approach to Health from both those perspectives.

Brigi Thomas-Moog

Several years ago she met her Asana teacher Judith Adank, who studied for many decades with B.K.S. Iyengar in India. Through the growth of that connection, Brigi weaves insights from that tradition into her teachings. She also studies Pranayama, Asana and the Subtle Body with her husband Stephen Thomas.

Her Hatha Yoga classes are strong yet slow paced, focused on alignment and Iyengar inspired. She uses intelligent sequencing and offers insight into classic poses (Asana) through the use of props. This allows clear alignment and longer holds so the effect of the practice might be felt in other layers of the being. She teaches from her heart and shares from her own experience of being on this path of Yoga.

In the Ayurvedic Consultations she offers clients to look through a holistic lens which intends to target and initiate longlasting changes in spiritual and physical practice. Emphasis is given to daily life routine and habits in order to establish new patterns, re-balance and re-align harmony in body, mind and beyond.

Céline Ryf

Céline [de/eng/esp] has been studying and sharing yoga for more then twenty years. She’s an advanced certified Jivamukti yoga teacher, nutrition and holistic health coach, and founder of the former Dayayoga Bern studio.

Céline Ryf

Céline has been part of several teacher training courses and is a mentor to many teachers. Her personal sadhana is the base and inspiration for her teaching. Asana, pranayama, mantra meditation, kirtan and the study of the ancient yogic texts are her daily practice and anchor in a busy and often chaotic life as a mother of three children.

Céline conveys the yoga teachings in a relatable and practical way, is known for her creative but balanced sequencing, her love for chanting, and her healing hands. Her intention when teaching is to support and serve students on their journey, and to inspire them to connect with their inner wisdom and reach beyond perceived limitations.

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Pascale Sommer

Pascale [de/eng/esp] has been a dedicated student of yoga since 2010. Since then, her passion for delving deeper into the practice of yoga remains unwavering.

Pascale Sommer

Pascale [de/eng/esp] has been a dedicated student of yoga since 2010. Since then, her passion for delving deeper into the practice of yoga remains unwavering.

In the past years she has continued to deepen her practice and teaching by exploring various methods and styles of yoga, completing several teacher trainings, further educations and mentorships.

As a Yoga Therapist (OdAKT) and practitioner of Thai Yoga Massage, she enjoys working one-on-one with her students and clients, supporting them to initiate transformative processes or find orientation during challenging times.

Her teachings are joyous yet profound, honoring the roots of yoga. She is eager to meet you where you are and create a space for connection, growth, and endless exploration.

Christina Eggenschwiler

Christina [de/eng] is a movement therapist, yoga and pilates teacher, and lifelong explorer of the connection between body, mind, and soul.

Christina Eggenschwiler

Christina [de/eng] is a movement therapist, yoga and pilates teacher, and lifelong explorer of the connection between body, mind, and soul. Her journey as a professional in the field began in 2006 with her first pilates training, followed by yoga training in 2011, laying the foundation for an embodied and integrative approach to movement. With a Master’s degree in Sports Science and extensive certifications in yoga and advanced movement therapies, she blends scientific insight with lived, embodied wisdom.

For over a decade she has taught and co-founded teacher trainings, led retreats in Switzerland and abroad, and supported individuals and groups in both private and corporate settings. Her work is rooted in the belief that movement, breath, meditation, and time in nature can profoundly shift how we inhabit ourselves and the world and how connected we are.

Christina studied with profoundly devoted and knowledgeable teachers such as Sri Dharma Mittra, Karin Gurtner and many more shaping her well-informed teaching style. In 2014 she founded the Yoga Festival Bern and continues to lead Guerillayoga Bern, a non-profit initiative dedicated to Karma Yoga and accessible community practice.

Committed to continuous learning, Christina remains a devoted student - practicing, studying, refining, and expanding her craft so she can meet her students with authenticity, presence, and compassion.

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Olivia Winiger

Olivia [de, eng] is a dedicated yoga teacher with over a decade of experience, deeply believing in the power of authentic connection. Her practice seamlessly integrates somatic elements and mantra meditation, fostering an environment that guides students towards a deeper understanding of themselves.

Olivia Winiger

In both her personal practice and her adventures, Olivia remains devoted to learning through direct experience what it means to be human. Her approach strikes a balance between polarities - challenging yet nurturing, powerful yet subtle - offering a harmonious and profound experience.

Passionate about intelligent yoga sequencing, she sees each container as an invitation to delve into the depth of topics, weave connections across modalities and find self-expression. By blending fluid movement with mindful breath, Olivia encourages students to attune to their own rhythms, refine their awareness, and cultivate a richer sense of self.

Holding a Master’s degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in Sports Science, Olivia also boasts an extensive array of yoga teacher trainings, including Advanced Vinyasa, Somatics, Pranayama, Pre-/Postnatal, Acro- and Yin Yoga. Her broad and diverse skill set enriches her teaching, offering students a wide-ranging practice.

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Trix Odermatt

Trix [de/eng/fr] discovered her love for yoga while traveling through South America, and in 2018 the practice found a steady place in her life. Since then, it has accompanied her daily - through movement, training, and as an important part of her path.

Trix Odermatt

Her two-year training deepened this journey, and since 2023 she has been sharing her experience with the same openness and childlike curiosity with which she continues to learn and explore.

Her training was rooted in Hatha, yet in her teaching she feels most at home in Vinyasa. She integrates elements from different styles in a natural way, offering space for a variety of needs and experience levels.

The practice accompanies her with a lot of heart and reminds her to keep moving, to try things out, and to learn from everything – including moments when something doesn’t work or may never work, simply because it doesn’t have to.

Alexa Lynn

Alexa's [de/eng] fascination with yoga began in 2014. With a background in diverse movement practices, her sadhana gradually became a steady and grounding presence in her daily life.

Alexa Lynn

Alexa's [de/eng] fascination with yoga began in 2014. With a background in diverse movement practices, her sadhana gradually became a steady and grounding presence in her daily life.

From the very beginning, she felt a deep connection to slower, more introspective styles - particularly yin yoga, which she experienced as profoundly nurturing and supportive in her journey inward, fostering a deeper understanding of herself.

She creates immersive somatic experiences through yin yoga, where elements such as voice, sound, light and scent blend seamlessly. These carefully held spaces gently guide the nervous system toward balance, regulation, and calm. At times, her sessions are enriched with the subtle vibrations of singing bowls placed on the body or complemented by crystal sound baths, enhancing the restorative effect.

With training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and trauma-sensitive approaches, she thoughtfully integrates these principles into her teaching. Emphasizing moment-to-moment awareness, she encourages mindfulness both on and off the mat, bridging formal practice with everyday life.

Her offerings are an invitation to meet oneself with honesty and compassion - to cultivate introspection grounded in acceptance and loving-kindness, welcoming whatever arises during the practice.

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