About Me

I’m Asena Boyadzhieva, a mindfulness and somatic facilitator with a background in cognitive science. My work weaves science with body-based practice and the expressive arts to create spaces where people reconnect with themselves, with one another, and with the wider world.

the heArt center is rooted in my own journey—from a young person deeply disconnected from her body to someone who trusts the body as compass, guide, and steady companion through everything. This experience shapes how I hold space: clear, grounded, and oriented toward genuine connection.

At the core of my work is a simple question: How do we flourish —personally, together, and within the systems we inhabit?
For me, embodiment is a way of weaving these layers back into wholeness: body and mind, self and other, human and nature.

My Journey

“I live my life in widening circles,” as Rilke wrote. My path has always moved this way—spiraling back to my own center while widening toward others and the world. With each return, I meet myself anew and open a little more to what connects us.

Publications

Formal Education

Psychotherapy Propädeutikum, ARGE Bildungsmanagement & University of Vienna (2022, 2026 - est. 2027)

Social Pedagogy Dipl., College for Social Pedagogy Vienna (2023 - est. 2026)

Cognitive Science MSc, University of Vienna (2019-2022)

Medical & Pharmaceutical Biotechnology BSc, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (2016-2019)

Holistic Dance & Movement Pedagogue 300h, Holistic Dance Institute, 2024-2025

Mindfulness-Based Student Training, Achtsam.Digital, 2023

Hatha Yoga Teacher Training 200h, Yoga Diwali, 2022

Yoga for Kids 100h, Yoga Diwali, 2023

Training in Embodied Critical Thinking (TECT), 2022

Micro-phenomenological Interviewing, Claire Petitmengin, 2022

Continuing Education (selected)

Freelance Facilitation and Training: Holistic Dance, Mindfulness in Education, Yoga (2022 - current)

co-Founder of coMetta: an association for holistic learning and sustainable inner development (2025 - current)

ProSoz Familientraining: Intercultural Facilitator (2025 - current)

AMADEUS International School: lab technician, extra-curricular mindfulness teacher, summer camp activity leader, psychology counselling intern (2022 - 2024)

Research Positions: Wiener Kinderstudien Lab (2021-2022), University of Ljubljana (2020 - 2021), UMC Utrecht, Meye’s Lab (2017 - 2018)

Boyadzhieva A., (2023). Achtsamkeit im Studium: Von Ego- zum Ökosystem. Die Furche.https://www.furche.at/wissen/achtsamkeit-im-studium-vom-ego-zum-oekosystem-12084495

Boyadzhieva A., & Kayhan E. (2021). Keeping the Breath in Mind: Respiration, Neural Oscillations,and the Free Energy Principle. Frontiers in Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.647579

Oblak A., Boyadzhieva A. & Bon J. (2021) Phenomenological properties of perceptual presence: A constructivist grounded theory approach. Constructivist Foundations 16(3): 295–308.https://constructivist.info/16/3/295

Oblak A., Boyadzhieva A., & Bon J. (2021). Author’s Response: The Boundaries and Frontiers of Perceptual Presence. Constructivist Foundations, 16(3), 322-326.https://constructivist.info/16/3/322

Oblak A., Boyadzhieva A., Caporusso J., Škodlar B., Bon J. (2022) How Things Take Up Space: A Grounded Theory of Presence and Lived Space. The Qualitative Report, 27(11), 2556-2582.https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.576

Tünte M., Höhl S., Wunderwald M., Bullinger J., Boyadzhieva A., Maister L., Elsner B., Tsakiris M.,Kayhan E. (2023) Respiratory and Cardiac Interoceptive Sensitivity in 9-month-old Infants. eLife.https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.91579.1

Work Experience

Find my most recent articles on Substack

FAQs

What is embodied resilience?

It is the natural capacity of your body, nervous system, and relationships to adapt and recover. In this work, resilience is not a skill but a reconnection—to yourself, others, and the wider world.

Do I need experience with somatics, healing work, or movement?

No, altough it can help. Everything is offered in simple, accessible steps. Your body already knows how to do this. We move at your pace.

Are the sessions therapy or coaching?

I offer the tools, you craft it to your own liking. We combine awareness, breath, resonance, movement, touch (always optional and consensual), and inner-part work inspired by Somatic Internal Family Systems. We work with methods like Authentic Movement, Contact Improvisation, Social Presencing Theatre, and Expressive Arts Therapy.
Sessions unfold organically based on what emerges.

What happens in an individual session?

They may be healing, but are neither psychotherapy nor life-coaching. Sessions are trauma- and IFS-informed, and support self-connection, emotional regulation, and embodied integration alongside other healing modalities. I pass on my knowledge and experience to you, but you are always in the driver's seat.

How do the relationship sessions work?

Partners, polycules, co-parents, friends, collaborators—any relational constellation is welcome.
We work primarily with the field between you: communication, safety, boundaries, repair, and co-regulation.

Do you offer online sessions?

Yes. Some trainings, individual and relational sessions can be online.
Retreats, eco-somatic and touch-based work require in-person availability (in Vienna and upon request).

Do you offer custom workshops or organisational trainings?

Yes. Programs integrate cognitive science, embodiment, creativity, and systems thinking.
Formats range from 90-minute inputs to multi-month processes.

How do I begin?

Individuals and relationship structures start with a free 20-minute introductory call.
or by sending me a message. Groups and organisations contact me for a tailored proposal. Upcoming Events are also listed on the website.

How do stay updated?

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