An alternative view of life

Growing up, Kirstin van As was fortunate to have open-minded parents who encouraged alternative views on life, especially around diet and spirituality. This environment helped shape her curiosity and taught her to think critically from an early age. Her father’s unique interpretation of the Bible often contradicted what she was taught in her Christian school, sparking early questions about truth and belief systems.Her inquisitive spirit took her far from her Cape Town roots—from studying and working in the entertainment industry to au pairing in Europe, training in theatre in America, and later working as a masseuse and yoga teacher across East Africa and Southeast Asia. Today, she’s a passionate advocate for alternative medicine, which she believes is the original, most natural form of healing.“Everything we call ‘alternative’ today is what we originally used to heal,” Kirstin says. “We are doing everything backwards.”Kirstin often marvels at how she managed to forge her own path in a world that pushes conformity. “I guess it comes back to my dad, who told me: ‘Don’t do what everyone else does. Just because it’s common doesn’t make it right.’”Pushing boundariesKirstin wasn’t rebellious for rebellion’s sake. She sought experiences firsthand—not because of peer pressure, but because she trusted her instincts. “I realised early on that I’m my own authority. My body felt good when I listened to it and bad when I didn’t,” she reflects.Understanding she couldn’t follow a conventional career path, she committed to building her own business and living life on her terms. “I’d rather try everything and fail than give up on my dreams to help build someone else’s.”After experiencing burnout in the entertainment industry, she left in 2014 and took time off to work in tourism, saving up to travel. Her journey led to a three-month theatre immersion in Massachusetts, followed by a stint as an au pair in Germany and time spent in Switzerland. She soon discovered the wellness industry through massage therapy, beginning with an informal course in Swakopmund in 2015 with Ray Sasman.The Yoga PathIn 2017, Eva Eichhorn, a respected Namibian yoga teacher, suggested Kirstin pursue yoga teacher training. Although hesitant at first, Kirstin was offered the role of head of alternative therapy at Bel Esprit, a mental health institution in Windhoek, which required certification. She completed her 200-hour training with Caroline Pajewski in Swakopmund.This certification opened international doors. While working on a retreat in Koh Phangan, Thailand, Kirstin was invited to become the Massage and Yoga Therapist on Mnemba, a private island off Zanzibar. Initially unsure, she accepted after falling in love with someone she met during her stay. Though the relationship didn’t last, it was a meaningful chapter during her two years on the island.In 2021, she secured a teaching position at a well-known yoga school in Koh Phangan, first joining their online studio during the pandemic. When in-person training resumed, she was invited to fill in for a sick teacher, which marked a turning point in her career. She continued working with the school until October 2023, when she decided to leave suddenly—trusting it was the right time to move on.Returning to her rootsVisa issues and a breakup eventually led Kirstin back to Namibia. “I realised I had no reason to go back to Thailand,” she says. “I’m meant to be here now—to reroot, build a solid foundation, and serve my community.”Her travels had shown her what was possible. “Meeting so many different people made me realise: ‘If they can do it, so can I.’ Most people don’t even ask themselves what they want from life—they just assume it’s not possible. But if you’re clear and committed, the sky’s the limit.”Her global experiences raised the bar for her aspirations and deepened her understanding of spiritual and communal living. Living in Koh Phangan introduced her to diverse, harmonious communities guided by Buddhist values, yet welcoming to all beliefs.Kirstin doesn't identify with any one religion but sees herself as a spiritual student who learns from all traditions. “I have deep respect for all spiritual leaders who inspire love and connection in their people,” she says. She also warns against idolising spiritual teachers: “They are human too, and we all have the potential for spiritual insight. There’s a guru inside each of us—I try to help my students awaken that.”Kirstin believes emotional and spiritual development are just as vital as physical and mental growth. “There’s too much emphasis on performance. People over-intellectualise their problems to avoid feeling them,” she explains. Her aim is to help people connect their head to their heart.She attributes her deep trust in herself and her purpose to the somatic transformation she experienced in Thailand. Though she faced moments of confusion and despair, those times helped her rediscover her strength and identity.“I think I found the ‘real’ Kirstin back in Namibia,” she says. “Thailand shaped a strong new identity, but it wasn’t complete until I returned to Africa—reconnecting with my roots, culture, and the healing power of this land’s nature.”Namibia, she says, will always be home—even if she travels again. She has realised the importance of becoming “solid within herself”—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Grounded purposeNow, Kirstin embraces both her masculine and feminine energies—strength and resilience balanced with surrender, intuition, and softness. “That surrender—yielding without breaking—has given me access to the wisdom in my body and heart,” she says.She has also clarified her purpose: to serve, inspire, and empower others through the wisdom she’s gained abroad. “This mission keeps me going, especially on hard days,” she says. “I’m grateful to ground everything I’ve learned into something meaningful for my home community.”For more about Kirstin’s journey, offerings, and programs, visit: www.elevatewithkirstin.com elevatewithkirstin@gmail.com Facebook: ElevateWithKirstin

An alternative view of life

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Republikein 2025-07-31

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An alternative view of life

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