Breathe. Move. Be.

About me

I’m Arzu! An international yoga instructor, explorer and student for life. I was born in Germany raised both in Germany & Turkey. About two decades ago I moved to United States and lived on both the East and West coasts. Living in different continents and countries has shaped me to become multicultural, and adapt to diversity with ease. I started to work in corporate world during my college years. As a people person I enjoyed being in advertising, sales and recruiting until I found my true calling, teaching yoga.

A journey within

The first time I stepped on to the yoga mat was over 20 years ago but I was not consistent with my practice. Even though yoga wasn’t my rock back then, life always kept bringing yoga to me, and it brought me back to life.

For many years I struggled with anxiety and depression. Living with migraines, a heart that wouldn’t stop racing, and gloom became a norm. When life threw me a major curve ball, I  found myself on the mat. That’s when I decided to make wellness a priority in my life and started to take some private yoga classes in Istanbul. The real shift happened when I moved back to Seattle and showed up to my practice consistently at Olympian Jamie Silverstein’s The Grinning Yogi.

Jamie and her fantastic teacher team inspired me to take this beautiful practice to a deeper level. As I started my journey within, I discovered that I wanted to offer and share this gift called yoga.

Why Yoga?

I am a firm believer that yoga is for everybody! My passion is teaching all levels from beginners to seasoned yogis and helping others find the sense of healing, empowerment and balance on and off the mat. In my classes I focus on creating a safe, accessible, fun and delightful practice through breath, movement and mindfulness.

Practice and beyond 

You can find me teaching socially distanced semi private in person & outdoor classes at The Grinning Yogi, in studio and livestreamed classes at Om Operative and at the biggest sports club in the nation ProClub. Also, I teach at mega corporations, private events, workshops, international yoga retreats, various yoga & fitness festivals around the world and partner with various nonprofit organizations in greater Seattle.

My joys in life include the great outdoors, swimming, paddle boarding, discovering delicious food and exploring the globe for my next retreat.