My name is Michell Koopman, I moved from Amsterdam to Barcelona in 1991. Five years ago, my life changed completely when one morning I woke up with a lot of pain in my chest, I was having a heart attack!

I had been successfully running a bar- restaurant in the center of town, for the last 16 years but after this it was clear I had to change my lifestyle. No more late nights, stress and unhealthy habits. I wanted to sell my bar, and although my friends kept telling me not to sell now, I was very convinced that I needed a change . I was very insecure: ‘ who would want me with my age , what could I possibly have to offer?’

I discovered yoga during my recovery. During covid, I practised yoga on my rooftop terrace every morning. One day I decided that I wanted to learn more and more. I registered for the course to get the certificate that allows you to work all over the world. Of course I got strange looks in the beginning, everybody was young and slim and female but I persisted and got my degree!

Looking back, it is amazing how many doubts I had about myself and what I really wanted to do. And look at me now, giving classes is wonderful! I am sharing what I learned and what helped me so much to have a better quality of life to different groups of people, including people with special needs like Down Syndrome, autism or Parkinson. My heart attack helped me to discover another side of me!

Don't get me wrong, I could have done without the attack experience, but it has changed my life in a very positive way and I am in a place where i would have never been without it!

text by Moving Stories