Welcome to a space
where resilience is practiced
and strength grows from within.
who am I?
I’m someone who’s walked through trauma and come out the other side with a deeper understanding that strength doesn’t always look like pushing through. Sometimes, it’s the quiet resilience that comes from learning to stay with what’s hard, to feel it in the body, and to move through it, layer by layer, over time.
As a war survivor and former refugee, and someone who has lived with chronic illness since childhood, I understand what it means to carry tension, anxiety, and inherited pain. My journey led me to somatic yoga movements, breathwork and meditation—practices that helped me find steadiness, build strength, and grow resilience. I’ve studied the work of experts like Dr. Gabor Maté and Bessel van der Kolk, and trained in trauma-informed and accessible approaches that support nervous system regulation, self-awareness, and a more grounded, sustainable way of living.
Hi, my name is Stanja
I’ve led over 1,700 sessions, and every one of them has reminded me: we don’t need to fix ourselves. We just need spaces that allow us to soften, regulate, and reconnect. A space where your body doesn’t have to look certain way and your nervous system doesn’t have to hide.
That’s what I offer.
A space where movement, stillness, breath, and systemic insight meet—where you can realign with yourself, reconnect to your strength, and feel more at home in your body and life. Group sessions are held by the Cooks River in Marrickville, Inner West Sydney. Private sessions are available online or in person.
My hope is that you feel grounded and supported every time you walk in. That you feel seen, heard, and leave more resilient and empowered. That your session feels like it was made for you.
Rooted in a deep respect for our shared humanity, I am honoured to welcome and celebrate you, just as you are.
Hi, my name is Stanja
what people say
Stanja’s warm and friendly nature is unique and she has the wonderful ability to put people at ease. I love yoga classes with Stanja as she is so skilled at tailoring her classes to the needs of each individual. She quickly detects where a posture or position can be improved or modified and I never worry that I am going to hurt myself! The slow and sustained movements are amazing and, with Stanja’s gentle guidance, my confidence and ability to tune into my body has grown throughout my yoga practice with her. I feel incredibly lucky to have met Stanja!
I have learnt many poses that I can do while at work. Stanja is very compassionate and suggests for my condition a specific modification to postures – it feels good joining her sessions. I became aware of postures that trigger my pain and I feel better in terms of how to manage it. The variety of postures that is taught every week is so rejuvenating. I would for sure recommend joining Yoga with Stanja.
Since I started taking small group private sessions I noticed an increase in my body flexibility, strength and I am in a good mood after her sessions. I love how Stanja explains body posture alignments in depth. She manages to correct the posture right away but at the same time she keeps reminding me to notice how it feels being in a posture rather than how it looks. This is the best yoga practice I’ve ever done and I would recommend her sessions to everyone who likes practicing yoga. Do it, you will enjoy her guidance!
I sleep extremely well post restorative class, I love Stanja’s guided meditations. My back has become more flexible too and I feel less pain. The small and intimate nature of the classes makes for a really relaxing class. As a teacher, Stanja provides guidance and a range of options for all attending. This makes the class suitable for a broad range of people.
I never thought Chair yoga could be fun and challenging at the same time. Stanja is there to make both possible, she is caring and fun to practice with, she just makes you feel better about yourself. What I take from our chair yoga sessions into my everyday life is her constant reminder to focus on what I can do rather on things I can’t do.
I love all of it – small classes, Stanja’s instructions, how much she manages to see through zoom, and how I feel afterwards. My flexibility improved, I gained strength and my overall wellbeing improved. Do it, you will love it!
I learnt to remember how to slow down and focus on the breath, and how to focus on one thing at the time. I am more aware of my body and I love just a general calm feeling after each of Stanja’s class. I love starting my day with her class as when it ends I feel stronger but relaxed at the same time.
The 8 weeks of introduction to meditation course was really good. Stanja’s ability to explain what it means to practice meditation is great. It is challenging to do it but she was there to guide you and answer the questions all the way through. Do it if you want to incorporate this into your everyday life.
I am addicted to yoga now! Stanja offers really good body stretching postures and she taught us breathing techniques to use when trying to fall asleep or when feeling anxious. Try it! You will be there for every class afterwards I promise you.
After practicing with Stanja for a month I practice breathing techniques on my own – I practice them when I feel stressed or exhausted. I enjoy Sunday night’s sessions, it is a perfect way to end your week, I feel calmer. I enjoy reading her weekly newsletter and I enjoy the music during the session, the piano music is amazing!