About
If you would like to get to know Zeynep better
What we do in short
Anda Mindfulness: Well-being with Zeynep
Anda Mindfulness, with a focus on strengthening the mental health of individuals and teams, she provides deep transformation through mindfulness and yoga practices with a trauma-informed approach.
Through these practices, participants could improve their stress management, enhance mental health, and increase their overall quality of life.
My areas of interest and what you need to know
In detaıls
If you want to read a little more in detail
Hello, I am Zeynep Akdoğan Ağacıkoğlu. I studied Industrial Design at METU, one of Turkey’s leading technical universities, and worked for six years at ASELSAN, Turkey’s major defense and technology company.
In 2009, after getting married, I moved to Bangladesh. Living in a new country led me to question life more deeply, and during this period I began practicing yoga and meditation with Suman Maheshwari to find inner peace and balance. Over time, I also observed that many expatriates around me were experiencing similar challenges of adaptation and emotional disconnection.
In 2014, while studying at HSLU in Switzerland, I focused my master’s project on the lives of expats. I created a website to help expatriates share their experiences and observe their adaptation process to a new country while exploring their emotional states. Later that year, I returned to Turkey and continued working as a designer. After moving to Geneva in 2017, I decided to chart a new path for myself.
In 2018, I trained as a yoga instructor in Italy. Over the years, I deepened my studies through courses and workshops, gaining a broader perspective on yoga philosophy, anatomy, mindfulness, Buddhism, and wellbeing. I realized that mindfulness, which I had explored as part of my design work, could be a valuable tool for expats navigating complex lives.
Since 2009, I have practiced yoga in various settings with different teachers. I completed the MBCT instructor training program at Oxford Mindfulness Foundation and integrated everything I have learned to support expats and anyone seeking a new perspective in life.
At the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, I participated as a co-trainer with Claire Kelly in the 8-week MBCT-L program (April–May 2022), one of only six people given this opportunity. I also co-taught with Robert Hawkes on a 4-week mindfulness program for Sunderland Psychology Service staff in April 2022. I continue to receive supervision from both Claire Kelly and Robert Hawkes. I was the first teacher certified by the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation in Turkey.
Between 2022 and 2024, I taught design courses at TED University in Turkey. During this time, I began integrating mindfulness into my design teaching, exploring how awareness and presence can enrich creative work.
Currently, I teach MBCT-L and Deeper Mindfulness courses, leading live mindfulness sessions in both Turkish and English under the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. I also provide supervision for mindfulness teachers in both languages.
If you want to explore the trainings in more detail
Mindfulness Trainings
MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) Training, Oxford University Mindfulness Center, September 2020-August 2021
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, 2-Level Comprehensive Program for Mindfulness Trainers, David Treleaven, October 2022-November 2022
Mental Health First Aid, Oxford University Awareness Center and MHFA England, Sean Liddell, June 2022
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, Oxford University Center for Mindfulness, David Treleaven, March 2021-May 2021
Trauma Research Foundation’s Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies, Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Stephen Porges, PhD, Jana Pressley, Psy.D. Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW, Pat Ogden, PhD, PESI, August 2023-February 2024
Mindfulness-Based Supervision Training, the Mindfulness Network, Alison Evans, Pamela Duckerin, July 3 – 5, 2024
The Neurobiology of Trauma, NICABM, Bessel van der Kolk MD, Dan Siegel MD, Ruth Lanius MD PhD, Stephen Porges PhD, February 2022
Buddhist Psychology, Oxford University Center for Mindfulness, Chris Cullen, January 2021
MBCT-L, Observer, Oxford University Mindfulness Center, Claire Kelly, March 2021-May 2021
Deeper Mindfulness, Participant, Oxford University Mindfulness Center, Christina Surawy, February-March 2023
MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) Participant, Bianca King, Stephen Wainwright,
Geneva/Switzerland, 8 weeks, October 2019
MBCT-D Participant, David Cornwell, Participant, Oxford / UK, 8 Weeks, May 2020
Yoga Teacher Trainings
Hatha and Astanga Yoga Teacher Training, 200 hours YTT, Timea Vitez and Raul Adhikari, YogaMea, Riccione / Italy, June 2018
Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training, 200 hours, Ece Türkmunt Dere, Ela Şeker and Görkem Dizdar, February- September 2023
Somatic Yoga Therapy Teacher Training, 30 hours, Başak Yüksel, Turkey, October-November 2022
Yin Yoga and Anatomy Teacher Training, 50 hours, Berivan Aslansungur, Hapaka, Istanbul / Turkey, October-November 2021
Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, 40 hours, Sibel Aydoğmuş, Mindsoma, Ankara/Turkey, February 2021
Tao Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainning, 40 hours, Gülçin Özsoy, Turkey, April-May 2022
Mindfulness-Based Yoga Instructor Training Modules, Yin Yoga, Somatic Experience and Mindfulness-Based, Advayta Yoga, Zeynep Aksoy, Oxford / UK, May-June 2020
Workshops and Other Trainings
Self-care, Neurosystemics, 4 weeks, January-March 2022
Map of Life Paths: Zeynep Aksoy, Advayta Yoga, April 2020, 4 weeks: Integral Theory, Polyvagal Theory, Neoplasticity, Breathing Techniques, The Doing Mind and the Being Mind, 8 Limbs of Patanjali Yoga
Buddhism and Modern Psychology, Robert Wright, Princeton University, May-June 2020, 6 weeks
The Science of Wellbeing, Laurie Santos, Yale University, May-June 2020, 10 weeks
Yoga Anatomy and Fascia, Stu Girling, Argau / Switzerland, August 25-26, 2018
Shiatsu Massage, Meridian Yoga & Qi Gong, Yaor Barhum, Lausanne / Switzerland, August 30-31, 2019
Balances of the Hand, Daniel Rama and Shakti, Geneva / Switzerland, April 12-14, 2019
