Interview with Charlotte Alleaume

Opening Ceremony at Sampoorna Yoga

Tell Me Who Charlotte is?

My personal journey has taken me across the globe from a young age, immersing me in diverse cultures, people, and ways of living. From early on, I was drawn to well-being, as I faced deep depression at a young age and constantly questioned my identity and the world around me. During that time, yoga naturally became an integral part of my life. Guided by sensitivity and creativity, I have now been sharing the transformative tools that bring me peace on a daily basis for the past four years.

What is your favourite book?

One of my favourite books, and one that I can relate to the yoga philosophy, is The Tao of Physics. It draws parallels between Eastern philosophies, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and the Western mind, using quantum physics and philosophy as a bridge. This book taught me that, in essence, we are all speaking about the same truth, simply using different languages.

What is one of your biggest challenges so far?

One of the most challenging moments of my teaching journey happened in Switzerland, when I was subletting a studio while working a full-time job and managing the marketing of my classes. At that time, teaching yoga felt more like a task than a purpose, and the energy I brought into the class was not aligned. I now understand that taking responsibility for the energy you bring into a class is just as important as what you teach. For more than a year, my focus has been on building my identity as a teacher and finding my inner voice, and I can truly say that this has shifted both my perception and the way I guide classes. Today, I am grateful to have a trusted and growing community.

The next chapter of my journey is moving to Sri Lanka, sharing, creating, and building with a close-knit and local community. The rest will unfold naturally and will surely be full of surprises. In ten years? Wow, that feels very far away. Hopefully alive, surrounded by my close family, friends, and the people I love. Guiding souls through their own journeys, sharing love and beauty through my creations. Let’s see where life takes me in ten years.

What is the greatest yoga myth?

There are many myths about yoga. The first is that yoga is only a physical practice. Even though we clearly say it is a connection between mind, body, and soul, until this is truly embodied, it is easy to reduce yoga to a physical practice (asanas). I see asanas as a doorway into the spiritual practice. If you decide or not to dive a bit deeper thats up to you.

Another myth is that yoga heals you, in the sense that we believe an external input is needed for healing. Yoga actually offers tools that already exist within us, helping us shift our mind and thought patterns. Yoga is not medicine, it is a way of living.

This next myth may unsettle some people, but I believe yoga is not solely a personal journey. Without the guidance of teachers, gurus, and ancient wisdom, we cannot truly practice yoga as it is. As I often say: yoga means union. It starts within yourself, but it goes far beyond you. The practice of yoga and the application of its philosophy begin off the mat, in how you treat others and yourself.

Another myth is that yoga is only for flexible people. As mentioned before, flexibility is not a requirement. There are many paths of yoga, such as Bhakti Yoga or Yoga Nidra, where the physical aspect is secondary.

And finally, when beginning a yoga journey, one might believe that everyone on this path has good intentions and is caring. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, like any path, we encounter all kinds of people. This reminds us of the importance of trusting our intuitive wisdom in all areas of life.

What is your favourite element of Yoga?

I have many favourite yoga disciplines, and they change depending on the phase of my life. If I had to choose today, it would be meditation and mindfulness. Meditation brings me into a state of bliss, allowing me simply to be, while also offering space for active visualisation to create the life I wish to live. Mindfulness is something I practice in every aspect of my life, almost with every breath.

Bringing awareness to each moment allows me to remain present, without escaping my past, but by acknowledging it and consciously shaping my future.

What do you in your free time?

In my free time, I create. I write philosophical articles, create memories with my family and friends, walk and swim a lot, and actively visualise the life I am building as I observe it unfold. I also have a personal brand called Padmapulse, where I offer one-on-one sessions and healing yoga programs lasting one, two, or three months. These programs combine the yoga tools, different philosophies and my own experience to create a safe space for people to simply be, unfold, and breathe. Through this journey, they actively create their own life and experience (https://www.padmapulse.com/).

What truly excites me right now is the brand that Sophie Maus (@sophieemaus) and I created together, called atelier.asitis (@atelier.asitis). We started this brand around four months ago while living in Sri Lanka. The story behind it is quite simple and spontaneous; we were looking for shells to hang on earrings while simultaneously designing a spiral ring. Slowly, people began asking where we got it, and that’s how the brand was born. It is more than just a jewellery brand; it is an invitation to appreciate nature and its beautiful, imperfect, but perfect forms, as it is, empowering its beauty through jewellery. Everyone is free to find their own meaning within it..

What is your connection with Sampoorna Yoga Retreat?

I came to Sampoorna in January 2025 to complete my 300-hour teacher training and returned in November 2025 for a Karma Yoga program, assisting both students and teachers. I feel incredibly grateful to have been invited to join the teaching team and now also teach within the trainings.

During my Karma Yogi program, Chelsea Harper offered me her perspective, one that I feel honoured to have glimpsed. She teaches yoga with deep authenticity and a genuine desire to share a clear vision with her students. She became a friend, someone I can truly trust; she cares deeply and loves fully.

Sampoorna Yoga, Goa

Where do you love to eat in Agonda?

My favourite restaurant in Agonda is Agonda Corner, where you can find everything from Thai to Indian to German food, which might sound surprising, but everything there is truly delicious.

Between swimming and the gym, I will always choose swimming. I have been swimming since a very young age, and being in the water, with my ears submerged and the external noise of the world muted, brings me a deep sense of peace and bliss.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is not death itself, but dying without having lived something meaningful, for myself and for the people around me. To die without having shared love. I believe I am a heart-led person, and I need to move through life doing what I love, guided by love for myself and for others.

Everyone around me inspires me in their own way. Observing how others perceive the world, sometimes very differently from me, allows me to find inspiration everywhere. I believe everyone is a mirror, and I am constantly learning from and being inspired by others. Seeing someone live in alignment with their authenticity deeply inspires me. My teachers, my gurus, are the people around me.

Top Tip?

If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: whatever you are experiencing right now, whether you are in the dark or riding the waves of life, remember that everything is finite. Do not shape yourself to meet someone else’s expectations. Allow yourself to be, without apology, in every aspect of life, with kindness and love, always.