Finding balance: Lulushanti’s path of yoga

Lulu was born and raised in the Algarve. At a very young age, she decided to pursue a career in Performative Arts and went to boarding school in the UK. What started as a dream soon became a tough reality, and Lulu realised the harsh and competitive world of performance was not for her. She developed an eating disorder and struggled mentally.

Leaving the school and returning to the Algarve helped her to come back to herself. Later, she made a decision to study psychology in London, seeking to understand the human mind better.

The awakening through yoga

During the first year of her studies, she accidentally joined a yoga class, thinking she was going for her usual workout session. She wanted to leave, but then decided to give it a try and this turned out to be the life-changing experience.

The brighter mood and calmness after yoga, combined with psychology studies, seemed like a perfect path to healing. Yoga became an essential part of Lulu’s daily life, and she has now been practising yoga for more than twenty years.

As she said, she can speak about the benefits of yoga for human’ body and mind for hours. “Through the beautiful forms of yoga postures, and the integration of body awareness and breath, we create the balance and clarity we seek for in our daily lives, giving us strength and empowerment in a society that is unstable. “​

Another transformative experience came with her first teacher training in Thailand, where she saw how yoga brings community together and connects beautiful souls. Lulu says she is a forever student and she always tries to improve and expand her knowledge. She has completed numerous training programmes and yoga conferences around the world. With her students, she shares her wisdom not only about yoga but also about Ayurveda, the science of life and the sister practice to yoga.

Now she offers mentorship for yoga teachers, passing on her skills “I share what I know, not to impress, but to connect with my students, myself, and the deeper essence of yoga. Being an advanced yoga teacher isn’t about perfection but about honesty, growth, presence and showing up authentically.

The name Lulushanti perfectly mirrors her path: from struggle and imbalance in her early life to guiding others toward harmony and calm. Lulu is her name and Shanti means peace and inner tranquillity.

Motherhood and mindfulness

Lulu is a mum to a seventeen-year-old daughter and a fourteen-year-old son, which is not an easy age, and she strives to be the best example for them, guiding them in the right direction.

When asked if she could give any advice to parents who struggle in these technology-driven times and how to lead children to not spend all the “free time with their devices, she shared “I think it’s very important to be open with your kids. Share your thoughts and feelings with them and let them do the same. Listen without judgment. Let your kids be free and explore. We are outdoor people so my kids have always spent a lot of time outside, being very physical and connected to nature.”

The Algarve is Lulu’s home and she loves it. Her very favourite beach is Falesia, with its majestic red cliffs, but to balance yin and yang, she also loves the north of Portugal, especially Braga, for its forests and greenery.

Favourite Asanas and the balance of opposites

There are many yoga poses which Lulu loves, but to choose two contrasting ones, it would be the Pigeon pose and the Child’s pose. Pigeon pose is an active, deep stretch pose, a symbol of harmony, representing muscular strength and engagement and Child’s pose is a more passive and restorative pose, associated with nurturing and feminine energy.

Lulu also likes Wheel pose, which is a deep backbend that creates an upside-down U-shape and requires both strength and flexibility. This is an advanced pose associated with masculine energy due to its active and energising nature. With consistent practice, she explains, you can achieve positive changes in your posture, mood and daily energy levels.

Lulu believes contrasts are very important in yoga and in life and she compares a yoga class to the seasons of the year: it all starts with spring, when you are awakening and getting your body ready for movement. What follows is summer and powerful movement, autumn is when all the movements slow down and the last part is winter and Savasana, a corpse pose, or resting in stillness and relaxing the nervous system.

She also shares a special friendship with her colleague Laura, who teaches a Friday morning class, Slow Flow for grounding at the Dome.

Retreats and the call of Sri Lanka

Once a year, Lulu organises a retreat and next year, in May 2026, you can join her for a Yoga, Ayurveda and Healing retreat in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka stole Lulu’s heart on her last visit and it has since become her dream to host a retreat on this island, where nature, spirituality, and yoga flow together effortlessly. It is the perfect chance to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit.

The Dome – A Sanctuary for the Soul

Lulu invites everyone to step into a sacred space of exploration and self-discovery through her transformative classes and workshops.

You can find her beautiful studio, The Dome, in the village of Tavagueira near Guia. The dome is a circular sanctuary dedicated to stillness and reconnection. A perfect place to escape the daily routine and practice yoga surrounded by peace and nature.

To learn more about Lulu and view the weekly schedule, visit her website www.lulushantiyoga.com or her Instagram luushantiyoga.