Interview with Pauline: A Journey of Movement, Sound Healing, and Self-Discovery
Pauline’s journey is a dance of transformation - graceful, challenging, and deeply spiritual. From ballet in Paris to contemporary and Indian classical dance, she explored movement as a path to introspection. Her passion led her from Buenos Aires' tango halls to Bharatanatyam training in Pune, embracing yoga, voice work, and storytelling as tools for creating and healing. Now in Stockholm, she is continuing to share her wisdom through movement, sound and self-inquiry.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in your field?
My journey into the arts began with my mother who introduced me to dance, painting, and cinema, despite never pursuing her own artistic aspirations. It took some time to discover my true passion, but in my early teens, dance became my language of expression. Ballet, with its physical rigor and discipline, shaped my creativity and self-expression while giving me a sense of belonging.
Yet, this journey didn’t come without its challenges. The demands of ballet cultivated a complex relationship with body image, leading to eating disorders that coincided with a deep spiritual search I had felt since childhood. This dissonance drove me to explore my inner world and searching for a way out of the mental suffering I was going through.
Expanding beyond ballet, I started exploring contemporary, tango and Indian classical dance, which transformed my perspective of dancing. In Paris, I met my mentor Malavika, who was a dancer and choreographer, deeply influenced by Indian arts and philosophy, under her guidance, I learned to honor the connection between breath and movement, treating dance as an extension of lyrical storytelling. Malavika, who studied extensively with Krishnamacharya, the founder of modern yoga, also introduced me to yoga, enriching my understanding of dance as a holistic and meditative practice. I feel that these experiences laid the foundation for the work I now share, combining music, movement, and self-inquiry.
2. How did you come to work as a professional in your specific practice? What inspired you?
My inspiration comes from the beauty of the teacher-student lineage, which passes down wisdom while allowing for personal exploration and creativity. Under Malavika's guidance, I received a scholarship to study Bharata Natyam in India with Sucheta Chapekar for two years. The stories narrated in Bharata Natyam are rooted in sacred texts and explore the inner search for union (yuj) with the higher Self through allegorical narratives. This dynamic dance form, often described as "yoga in motion," weaves together sacred geometry, theater, music, and self-knowledge, which helped me uncover the devotional essence of movement.
After relocating to Stockholm, I continued to deepen my expertise through apprenticeships in Ashtanga Yoga and sound healing facilitation. I now lead sound journeys and vocal meditations that integrate breath, movement, and sound. Additionally, I lead the Stockholm Cosmic Choir, where we explore sound, chanting, and toning, rooted in Nada Yoga - the yoga of sound. My work aims to help individuals connect with their inner voice and the profound peace that it brings.
The human body is both an instrument and a canvas, holding the score of our experiences. Through this work, I strive to help others move with ease, taste their voice and discover their unique way to navigate trough life.
3. What has been, and still is, your intention and motivation for doing the work you’re doing?
My primary motivation is to get out of my own way - transcending past conditioning, false beliefs, and societal myths. I aim to inspire others to step out of cycles of self-sabotage and suffering, to honor their bodies, enjoy and not approach practices too seriously.
The tools that helped me navigate my journey, movement, breath, and sound - are what I now share with others. Every practice is an opportunity for me to learn, express create, and guide others toward self-discovery without being confined by feelings of perfectionism or comparison.
4. Can you explain your specific practice to someone who is completely new to it?
My practice begins with breath awareness, which forms the foundation for movement. Starting with gentle, isolated movements of the spine and limbs, we gradually transition to coordinating the whole body together with the breath.
I also incorporate vocal toning and chanting, where the body becomes an instrument, resonating with inspiring messages that point to the truth of who we are. I also love to weave in a moment of vocal or movement improvisation. Finally, the session concludes with restorative rest, allowing participants to fully surrender and absorb the vibrations of sound and silence.
5. If you could describe your practice in 3-5 words, what would it be?
Body instrument
Presence
Improvisation
Freedom
6. What piece of advice would you give to someone looking to be more conscious about their practice and life?
Start where you are and let curiosity be your guide. Trust the doubts and questions that arise within you - they are part of your unique story and search.
Let go of past conditioning, and embrace each step with a willingness to explore and laugh at life’s paradoxes. To be at peace with the past comes gradually as confusion fades away. There are no shortcuts - just a tender unfolding of layers that allows us to see beauty through the muddy waters of life.
Highlights from Pauline’s Story
Personal Foundation:
Dance became my language of expression, a foundation for self-expression, creativity, and belonging.
The discipline of ballet taught me to confront limits while nurturing my creativity.
Transformative Challenges:
The demands of ballet fostered a difficult relationship with body image, leading to eating disorders, but also sparked a spiritual search for a deeper understanding of life and being at peace with my past
Holistic Practice:
I now lead the Stockholm Cosmic Choir, exploring sound, Sanskrit, toning, and chanting, rooted in Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound.
The body is an instrument and canvas, holding the score of our life trajectory.
Motivation:
My work is an invitation to transcend past conditioning, honor the body, and embrace life with curiosity, openness and self-compassion.
Get in touch:
With a rich background in ballet, contemporary, and Indian classical dance, Pauline integrates movement, sound, and yoga as powerful tools for self-discovery and healing. Explore her diverse range of classes and sessions here at Soulcircus!
