Magdalena Fielding

After studying psychology in the Netherlands where I was raised, I moved to Florida and eventually became the general manager of an international multi-million-dollar company. Needless to say, heavy-weight responsibilities and stress came with that heavy-weight title. After 12.5 years of dedication and success, at the end of 2016, I retired from the company. I knew exactly what I was going to do; become a yoga instructor. After so many years of stress and sacrifice, I was going to pursue this passion of mine and fill my life and others with joy, enlightenment and wellness that yoga and my Reiki training can bring.

I have had a long love for the 26/2 hot yoga hatha series, which I have been practicing for over 10 years. When I made it through the challenge of my first class, I knew that it was the right yoga for me. I am a person who is constantly self-reflecting, and in that reflection, I often ask myself if I can do better, do more, offer more, challenge myself to be my ultimate best in whatever I am doing. 

This mentality has lead me to study and compete with top marks in gymnastics, tae kwon do and bodybuilding. I also participated in the 2007 Annual Yoga Asana Regionals and placed 3rd for the state of Florida. 

At the end of 2016, I signed up for 2 back-to-back 200hr Hatha yoga teacher training courses; ThaVma Method Hot Yoga and 26/2 Premium Hot Yoga at ThaVma Yoga Studio (Lakewood Ranch, Florida). These were led by its owner & head instructor, Mrs. Marina Bourantonis. She provided a challenge to the athlete and student in me. Her approach to yoga with a focus on injury recovery and prevention work, with the detailed study of anatomy, alignment and injury types, put an intense spin on her advanced level yoga teacher training. It certainly helped to have a person who studied in-depth advanced anatomy, as a study buddy; I am so grateful to my husband Dr. Jason Fielding for his support through this long process.

I did not know quite what I was getting myself into when I first signed up for these 2 teacher training courses. The training was enlightening, daunting & nerve-racking.

In January of 2019 I took my third 200hr teacher training. This training was offered by Where Boats Go with owner & head instructor Marina Traub, as well as Mandy Main and Jaye Martin. This broadened my scope of teaching tools to include Vinyasa Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga & Yin Yoga. During this yoga teacher training the athlete and the student in me were once again challenged, but this time the spiritual self-reflective sides of me were as well.

Whether I am guiding my husband and step-daughter through a home meditation, or leading a studio full of yogis through their asanas, I will always challenge myself to fully share and create space in others for the simple joy that yoga can give us. I will study more, learn more and reflect on the teachings out there, so that I may understand more deeply this amazing gift that is Yoga.