Empowering Women: A Yogic Journey of Transformation, Love, and Healing with Esmee

I first connected with Esmee through the vibrant world of Instagram, where her infectious energy immediately caught my attention. It was evident that she possessed a remarkable way with words, effortlessly making profound concepts relatable. Intrigued, I extended an invitation to Esmee to share her inspiring journey at Wild Tantrika, and to my delight, she responded with boundless enthusiasm.

Our conversation unfolded on a Friday afternoon, conducted over Google Meet. Esmee, just back from a pilgrimage trip to India, radiated a noticeable glow as she settled comfortably on her sofa in a charming apartment in Munich.

Hello Esmee! Can you share a glimpse into your unique business?

Esmee passionately expressed, "My soul's purpose revolves around empowering women towards freedom. I guide them in establishing daily rituals and demystify spiritual components that seamlessly integrate into their everyday lives. My goal is to make the path to everyday joy more accessible for women, and I achieve this through impactful one-on-one coaching and sharing my yoga classes.. She added with a smile, "What sets me apart is that I only teach what I genuinely understand and practice in my own life."

That's truly fascinating! Could you delve into the origins of your remarkable journey and what initially drew you to the practice of Yoga?

Esmee's eyes sparkled with memories as she began recounting, "My transformative journey commenced 12 years ago, when I traveled to Nepal on a volunteering mission. Here I met a local Yoga Teacher who became a pivotal force in reshaping my life. Curiosity gleamed in his eyes as he posed a question that would alter the course of my existence: 'What do you know about Yoga?' In my youthful innocence, I casually responded, 'Oh, that thing the hippies do?' Little did I know that my perception was about to undergo a profound transformation."

The Yoga Teacher with an air of wisdom, proposed a unique exchange. He offered to impart the secrets of Yoga to me, on the condition that I, in turn, would share these teachings with my community back in Europe. I said yes and thus began a journey of learning Yoga Asana in a basement building, with no windows, purely in devotion to the practice.

Such a compelling twist in your journey! Can you walk us through the subsequent chapters of your story?

Esmee's narrative took an unexpected turn as she shared, "Returning home to the Netherlands, my heart brimming with zealous enthusiasm for Yoga, I was met with the realities of life. Despite my fervor, the demands of establishing my own sustainable business consumed my focus. Driven by a deep passion for addressing climate change, I dedicated myself to altering the way people approached food. My mission was clear—introduce more sustainable options and make a tangible difference.

However, the toll of unchecked enthusiasm soon became apparent. Esmee reflected, "In my eagerness to bring about impactful change, I neglected a crucial lesson— the importance of setting boundaries. Pouring all my energy into giving, I failed to recognize the necessity of receiving and caring for myself. The consequence was swift and severe. I found myself teetering out of balance, succumbing to the weight of burnout. The turning point came when I recalled the teachings of my Nepalese Yoga Teacher and realized the necessity for a break. A dear friend stepped in, booking tickets to Thailand and essentially guiding me onto a plane, transporting me to the other side of the world.

In this unfamiliar land, my nervous system, overwhelmed and on the verge of shutdown, left me incapable of connecting with others. Days unfolded on the beach, tears blending with the sea as I grappled with the full force of disconnection and debilitating stress, uncertain how to navigate through it.

That's when I met my Teacher, Peter Clifford, a Tantric Master whose teachings on forgiveness became the beacon of my renewal. For three transformative months, I delved deep within, learning not only to forgive myself but also mastering the art of meditation. Slowly, a profound transformation took root.

Simultaneously, fate had another extraordinary twist for me. In the midst of my meditation journey, I crossed paths with my life partner.

Oh I love a Love Story! How amazing - can you recall the first moments when you met your Partner?

I remember the day so clearly. It was through a meditation session and we were each paired with a stranger. I remember seeing his back, touching it and immediately sensing a familiar warm feeling. He turned towards me and we connected instantly, as if we had known eachother forever. We hugged eachother, and the sensation felt like coming home. We remained in this embrace for what felt like forever, the entire room emptied and yet we still remained, enraptured with eachother

So would you say this experience was a blessing in disguise?

It indeed was a blessing in disguise, life works truly in mysterious ways.
We experienced many challenges in the early days of our relationship, of course we had met in Thailand and we remained cocooned in our bliss but very soon we had to depart, he was from Germany and I, from the Netherlands. Many months passed, it was such a difficult period, but finally, 9 months later we decided this was it and made it official. Now we’ve been together for 5 years.

When asked about the secret to their enduring strength, Esmee shared, "My partner is an incredible man, devoted to his daily practice of meditation and yoga. This dedication allows him to remain present in any situation, unfazed by the chaos. He serves as my safe haven, providing the stability that enables me to flow, make decisions, and stay protected in the face of life's challenges."

Adding another layer to their journey, Esmee continued, "For the past three years, we've embraced a unique ritual. Every year, we retreat for three months on an introspective journey. This year we will be living in a yurt in Spain, last year it was a Buddhist meditation centre in England and 2 years ago, in the jungle of Thailand. During this time, we disconnect from the outside world—no phones, no internet—just the two of us in solitude, focusing on meditation and building our intimacy. It's a heavenly experience."

Reflecting on her transformative journey, Esmee acknowledged, "Every challenge I face becomes an opportunity for growth. Recently, I delved into a transformation coaching journey with Layla Martin, learning valuable insights on bridging the spiritual and material realms, making Tantra more accessible." Esmee's commitment to growth and her unique approach to fostering a deep connection with her partner exemplify the transformative power of openness, resilience, and embracing the unknown.

My conversation with Esmee ended with a lots of well wishes for the upcoming trip in Spain, something I also yearned to incorporate in my life. Esmee’s story is so inspiring and if you too are curious to learn more about Esmee’s work, check her website for more information and try a free yoga class: www.esmeejiskoot.com