I laugh.
I love.
I am alive.
Meet Barbara.
Welcome!
I’m pleased you’ve chosen to explore my services amidst the many exceptional offerings available today.
My name is Barbara (she/her), and I am a professional Somatic Coach with specialized training in working with trauma and its somatic manifestations and symptoms.
My expertise includes Mind-Body-Coaching, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Embodied Conflict Resolution, Healing Trauma with Peter Levin, the Grinberg Method, Hatha Yoga (500+), Pre- and Postnatal Yoga, Reiki, Ayurveda, and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. I also have a background in professional education.
In addition to my somatic coaching work, I am an avid traveler and culinary enthusiast. I am the mother of Noë Mana, and I value my connections with a diverse and inspiring global community. I am committed to lifelong learning and am fortunate to have studied under esteemed teachers. I also draw daily inspiration from my partner, Kay Walkowiak, a professional artist and my constant source of love and connection.
Vienna, Austria’s vibrant capital, is where I am based, and where I was born and raised. My travels have allowed me to find a sense of belonging in various places, particularly India, which I consider my second home. Over time, I’ve come to understand that my true home lies within, making my physical location adaptable to wherever life leads me.
I look forward to the possibility of working together and supporting your journey.
My healing journey.
My journey began at the age of 2.5 when I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and asthma. The severity of my condition led to an extended hospital stay, where I faced a critical health crisis.
Through the unwavering support of my parents and the wisdom of a forward-thinking doctor who chose to treat my symptoms holistically with natural remedies and methods, my body gradually recovered. The emotional trauma of being separated from my parents and experiencing profound loneliness and helplessness as a young child in the hospital was something I later addressed as an adult. With the guidance of skilled Somatic Coaches, as well as meditation and yoga teachers, I was able to heal from these early experiences.
My deep healing journey began in 2001 when I embarked on my university studies. It was during this time that I fully immersed myself in the practice of yoga. I was fortunate to find an exceptional teacher who not only guided us through asana and pranayama but also introduced us to the foundational concepts and philosophy of yoga. Each class provided profound relief, offering a sanctuary where I could connect with myself and emerge feeling calm, joyful, and focused. This experience ignited my passion for exploring yoga further and inspired me to travel to India to deepen my understanding of the culture from which yoga originates.
Aligning with My Inner Truth.
In 2002, I sought to address the lingering feelings of loneliness from my past that had not yet fully healed. Trusting my intuition, I journeyed to India, expecting to confront deep emotional pain and the familiar ache of being far from those I loved.
However, to my surprise, my experience unfolded quite differently. Instead of isolation, I encountered friendship and joy. Despite my efforts to seek solitude, I was consistently surrounded by companionship, which forced me to reassess my long-held belief in my inherent aloneness. I came to understand that this belief was not rooted in reality, and I discovered the profound joy and ease that come from embracing life’s flow.
India became, and remains, a great teacher for me—a nurturing presence that guides me when I am in search of answers and healing. The sense of connection I feel when I am on Indian soil is akin to coming home, which is why India serves as my spiritual and healing home base.
A Desire to Share.
As a child, I found joy in activities that allowed me to immerse myself in an almost meditative state, whether it was playing the piano, painting, or making jewelry. I remember being completely absorbed in these pursuits, free from distraction and fully present in the moment. I feel incredibly fortunate that this sense of "timelessness" has remained with me, continuing to serve as a source of rest, healing, and clarity in my life today.
During my student years, I was fortunate to encounter inspiring teachers and kindred spirits who offered me the opportunity to share my experiences while remaining deeply engaged in a continuous learning journey.
In 2005, during my third trip to India, I discovered an Ayurvedic doctor who had established his clinic in the serene, verdant mountains of the Himalayas in Dharamsala. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Sibichen George, I received training as an Ayurvedic masseuse.
It was in this setting that I first encountered Ayurveda, a holistic system that addresses and treats symptoms from their root causes, encompassing aspects such as lifestyle, dietary habits, and an individual’s inherent potential. In Ayurveda, these elements are referred to as the three Doshas.
Surrendered to the Flow of Life.
My journey naturally progressed, leading me to my first Vipassana meditation course, and subsequently, to numerous 10- to 20-day courses across various countries over the past decades.
Deeply immersed in yoga and meditation, and with a foundational understanding of Ayurvedic massage therapy, my aspiration to pursue a professional path as a holistic therapist grew stronger.
I was fortunate to have friends who shared my interest in India and its potent healing practices. Among them was a Russian Shaman, Kalidas, who was based in India but visited Vienna for several months. Under his guidance, I was trained in Reiki, which introduced me to a new dimension of healing through the subtle anatomy of the body and mind. I am profoundly grateful for his teachings and his generous spirit.
Integrating Body and Mind.
During my college years, my introduction to music therapy and holotropic breathing affirmed my commitment to a career focused on working through and with the body. The profound healing I experienced in these sessions inspired me to seek further knowledge in this field.
I chose to pivot my studies toward pedagogy with a concentration in psychoanalytic pedagogy to fulfill one of the recognized foundational training requirements for becoming a therapist in Austria.
However, life had a different trajectory in store for me. I did not pursue a formal therapist training position. Instead, I faced burnout while working on a particularly ambitious master's thesis. During this challenging period, I was fortunate to find an exceptional body coach who assisted me in managing the intense stress symptoms I was experiencing.
I remain deeply grateful to her for her invaluable support. It was she who recommended that I train as a Somatic Coach using the Grinberg Method, a path I embarked upon immediately after completing my studies.
Throughout My Career.
I underwent rigorous training for four years to become a practitioner of the Grinberg Method. After leaving my role as a children’s group trainer and graduating from the International School of the Grinberg Method, I co-founded a practice in Vienna with a colleague.
Since 2010, I have been working with clients from around the world on a daily basis. In my practice, I help clients process, resolve, and alleviate physical symptoms, patterns, pain, and anxiety stemming from past trauma or stressful experiences, such as surgeries, accidents, separations, neglect, or abuse.
I am deeply grateful and honored to support individuals on their journey to break free from these cycles. Each session devoted to addressing and resolving distressing memories held in the body contributes to a broader circle of awareness, conscious release, and healing within ourselves and our society.
For over 15 years, I have dedicated my professional career and my passion to this important work with unwavering commitment.
A new phase.
In 2020, I embraced motherhood and simultaneously faced the challenges of the first COVID-19 lockdown. This significant shift in both my personal and professional life deepened my commitment to addressing stress and trauma comprehensively across all levels.
Prior to the pandemic, I had trained as a Hatha Yoga teacher under the guidance of my esteemed teacher, Prasad Rangnekar, through several Teacher Trainings (500+) in both India and Austria. Additionally, I trained as a trauma-sensitive yoga teacher and a pre- and postnatal yoga instructor. During my maternity leave and the subsequent period of reduced work hours, I seized the opportunity to further my education.
I completed training as a Body-Mind Coach under the guidance of esteemed professionals such as Dr. Scott Lyons, Dr. Rae Johnson, Staci K. Hains, Richard Strozzi-Heckler, Kai Cheng Thom, Justin Michael Williams, Michaela Mischke-Reeds, Tesfaye Tekelu, Licia Sky, and Phoebe Greenacre. I also participated in the “Healing Trauma” program with Peter Levine and completed training in “Embodied Conflict Resolution” with Kai Cheng Thom. I continue to study yoga with Prasad Rangnekar and yoga therapy under Doug Keller.
Being a student of these inspiring experts enriches my daily practice and enables me to provide transformative experiences for my clients.
In 2023, I founded "The Sanctuary," a dynamic co-working space in Vienna dedicated to healing, community, and personal growth. As I continue to grow in this role, I am eager to connect with new people and potential collaborators who share a passion for these fields.
If you are interested in learning more about my work, my studio, or if you would like to explore opportunities for collaboration, I would be delighted to hear from you. Let’s connect and explore how we might work together to make a meaningful impact.
An overview of my work and practice.
My path so far.
2023: BODY-MIND-COACHING Program under the guidance of Dr. Scott Lyons, Dr. Rae Johnson, Manuela Mischke-Reeds, Kai Cheng Thom, Stacy K. Haines, Richard Strozzi Heckler, Licia Sky (ongoing).
2023: EMBODIED CONFLICT RESOLUTION Program under the guidance of Kai Cheng Thom
2023: HEALING TRAUMA by Peter Levine (online program).
2022: HYPOPRESSIVE TRAINING by Trista Zinn. It's a specific training for postnatal gymnastics.
2020: Home birth of my daughter Noë in assistance with my midwife Patricia Schmiedmeier and my partner Kay Walkowiak.
2020: 20-days VIPASSANA Silence Meditation
2020: YOGA - now and then. Course on YOGA HISTORY with Prasad Rangnekar.
2019: THE BHAGAVAD GITA. Immersion Retreat with Prasad Rangnekar.
2019: PANCHA KOSHA Model. YOGA and the MIND. Workshops with Prasad Rangnekar.
2019: TRAUMA SENSITIVE YOGA with Joachim Pfahl, Barbara Rossow-Schneider.
2018: YOGA TEACHER TRAINING (300hr) with Prasad Rangnekar in Nilgiri Hills, India.
2018: THE BAGHAVAD GITA. Immersion Retreat with Prasad Rangnekar.
2018: THE YOGA OF ELEMENTS with Prasad Rangenkar.
2017: PRE + POSTNATAL YOGA TEACHER with Romana Delberg, Tina Nirtl, Katharina Kraindl.
2016: YOGA TEACHER TRAINING (200hr) with Prasad Rangnekar in Nigiri Hills, India.
2015-2016: RECOVERY PROCESS. (2 parts) Specification for Grinberg Method Practitioner with Avi Grinberg .
2015: INTENSIVE PROCESS. Specification for Grinberg Method Practitioner with Avi Grinberg.
2014: Working with the Element of FIRE (Muscles, Activity, Flow in the Body, using oil) Training for Grinberg Method Practitioner.
2013 -2017: Active Member of the IAGMP (International Association of Grinberg Method Practitioner)
2013: OPENING my own working space for BODY WORK and SOMATIC COACHING.
2011-2014: TRAINING as a GRINBERG METHOD PRACTITIONER, International School, Spain, Austria, Germany.
2006-2013: WORING for KINDERBÜRO as a group leader for projects and teams and part of the team for the Kindergarden of the University of Vienna.
2006-2010: STUDIES of EDUCATION STUDIES (Psychoanalytical Pedagogics).
2006-now: VIPASSANA SILENT MEDITATION, many 10-day, 20-day and immersion retreats worldwide.
2005: TRAINING AYURVEDA MASSAG THERAPIST with Sibichen George in Dharamsala, India.
2003-2009: Member of a Group playing the African Djembe and Dunduns.
2001-now: Many journeys worldwide for trekking, immersing into nature, meditation, work and pleasure.
2001-2006: STUDIES of PHILOSOPHY + JOURNALISM, University of Vienna.
2000-2001: LIVING + WORKING in FRANCE, Nizza.
1997-2007: Trainings CONTEMPORARY DANCE, CONTACT IMPROVISATION, AFRO DANCE, BUTHO DANCE and JAZZ DANCE.
2000 - now: Continuous YOGA Student (Hatha Yoga, Partner Yoga, Acro Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga)
1988-2001: Training in IMPRO PIANO and little CLASSICAL PIANO. Member of several Bands.
Thank you.
Thank you for being a part of my journey through this incredible life.
Thank you for being a source of daily inspiration and guidance.
I am deeply grateful for your trust, love, and support.
