Founder of Anahata Yoga Shala, Vanessa Burger holds RYT500 and RYT200 credentials with Yoga Alliance. An international multi-style yoga teacher, she is known for her open heart, uplifting presence, and natural ability to guide students toward the divine within. Her love of life is evident in every class, creating a rejuvenating experience that feels both energizing and deeply nourishing.
Vanessa was first introduced to yoga by her mother at the age of four, and she immediately connected with the practice. Before fully dedicating herself to yoga, she explored a wide range of sports and spent 10 years at the Royal Academy of Ballet in South Africa, studying both classical ballet and contemporary modern dance. Her first official yoga class took place in Durban in 1999.
After moving to Johannesburg in 2002, Vanessa continued studying with teachers from around the world. In 2003, she discovered Reiki and completed Dr. Usui Reiki training, later becoming a Reiki Master and bringing this subtle healing energy into her yoga teaching. In 2010, she began a two-year study of shamanism with Lionel Berman in Johannesburg, deepening her understanding of energy, the earth, consciousness, awareness, and connection.
That same year, Vanessa began her RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training with the late Ingrid Eriksson, who was personally trained by Pattabhi Jois, the great master of Ashtanga Vinyasa in India. After completing her training, she began teaching Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hot Yoga (Bikram’s yoga), Hatha, and Pre-Natal Yoga.
In 2012, she traveled to South Goa, India, to study Traditional Tantra yoga for one year at Shri Kali Ashram, where she earned her RYT500 hours certification with Yoga Alliance, qualifying her to train other teachers. Her search for deeper knowledge then led her to France, where she studied with Margot Anand and completed an intensive two-year Skydancing Teacher Training certification from 2013 to 2014, focused on Sacred Conscious Sexuality. She also enrolled in Sexual Grounding Therapy in May 2014. In 2015, she earned another RYT200 in Dharmashala, in the Himalayas.
Vanessa arrived in Thailand in July 2015 and spent a year in Koh Samui before settling in Koh Phangan in May 2016. Later that year, Anahata Yoga Shala was born, first at Bovy Beach and then, in November 2019, at Haad Yao. After finding a beautiful new location, construction began and was completed in March 2020, creating a beachside yoga shala surrounded by the calming sounds of nature and sea views designed to help guests fully relax.
Her teaching blends deep restoration and strength: restorative Tantra Yoga classes are designed to support blissful relaxation, while Tantra Vinyasa classes offer a more vigorous workout. Many students, including first-time yogis, describe profound spiritual experiences after a 90-minute session.
Vanessa believes yoga can help people develop new life skills, transform fear into meaningful achievement, and live with greater happiness, clarity, and purpose.
As the lead teacher and creator of the RYT200 Yoga TTC, Vanessa has graduated more than 450 RYT200 students from around the world, many of whom have gone on to build successful yoga businesses of their own. She is also a proud mother to Tegan Burger, a successful yoga teacher trainer with her own school in Johannesburg, South Africa. The tradition of learning and teaching began with Vanessa’s mother in the garden when Vanessa was four, and later continued with Vanessa teaching Tegan in the garden at a very young age as well.
Vanessa has hosted Tantra workshops and yoga retreats in Europe, South Africa, and Thailand, and currently offers a limited number of yoga teacher trainings each year. Her offerings also include limited edition aerial yoga and yoga retreats and holidays. Future events begin on Valentine’s Day 2023, including the online workshop Tantra for One.