With a background as a professional dressage rider, Nicola (who was born and raised in the Austrian Alps) found Ashtanga Yoga after a spinal injury ended her horse career. She practices daily and teaches. Nicola thrives on uncertainty and her superpower is holding up the mirror to others so they can see things in themselves that they have not yet confronted. She believes that through travel, community and new experiences, everyone who goes on Omkisa retreats will come out with a better understanding of who they are.

Favorite places on Earth: Austrian Alps, Montana, Northern Italy

Favorite meals: Wood-fired pizza, coffee (yes, sometimes that is a meal)

A little-known fact about Nicola: “Deep down inside, I would love to be a nun and live in a monastery and not speak to anyone.”

One thing she is aiming for before she dies: Reaching a higher level of consciousness

Katja has an insatiable desire for adventure, and it’s infectious to everyone in her vicinity. She loves to encourage others to go right up to their edge in their fitness endeavors. When she left home at 16 to go to the police academy in Berlin, she would help her friends who were training for their exams. If they weren’t fit enough to pass, she was the person who would take them out and train with them until they passed. As the organizer of Omkisa retreats and natural unifier of people, she is excited to help people connect with others and experience new things together.

Favorite place to spend time: Kona, HI (the perfect combo of climate, sun, ocean, and sand)

The movie she has seen more than 40 times: Dirty Dancing

A little-known fact about Katja: She listens to mostly classical music.

One thing she is aiming for before she dies: Travel, travel, travel! She’d like to get to as many countries in Europe as possible!