about Me

In Brief

There’s one day in life that can change everything. For me, it was the day I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer during pregnancy. That moment transformed my life — leading me to mindfulness, yoga, and a deep shift in how I live, love, and heal.

Today, I’m here to share the practices that saved me — mindfulness, movement, and conscious living — through my courses, retreats, and coaching. If you’re ready to step into your power and transform your own story, you’re in the right place.

From Healing to Teaching:

There is always one defining moment in a person’s life that shapes their journey, their destiny, and their purpose. For some, this realization comes early; for others, it may take years. For me, that moment arrived when I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer during the fourth month of my second pregnancy. It was the most terrifying, heartbreaking experience of my life—yet, in that darkness, I found the greatest awakening.

Who Am I?

My Journey to Self-Discovery

I am a Bulgarian woman who moved to the UK in 2008, chasing a better life and future. Like many, I studied one thing in university but earned my living doing something completely different. I built a life, got married in 2016, and now have two beautiful children. But despite all these milestones, I had not yet found my true purpose.

That all changed the day I received my cancer diagnosis.

How Mindfulness Transformed My Life

The Day That Changed Everything

Life as I knew it came crashing down. I was four months pregnant, grieving the loss of one of my identical twin sons in the womb, and now facing an aggressive form of breast cancer. It was the most devastating, terrifying day of my life.

And yet, it was also the day I reached my greatest realization—one that would change my path forever.

I had two choices:

Fall into fear, resentment, and despair being a victim

OR

Shift my perspective, take control, and heal from within

I chose to surrender, accept, and embrace my healing journey with everything I had.

How Mindfulness Helped Me Heal

The day after my diagnosis, I took a long walk in nature with my husband. I breathed in the fresh morning air, feeling more present than I had in years. I then sat down for my first deep meditation in months.

Something powerful happened.

✨ I found gratitude.

✨ I surrendered to the experience, instead of resisting it.

✨ I realized that cancer was not my enemy—it was my wake-up call.

This was my wonderful path, and I wasn't going to feel like a victim of it. Instead, I took full accountability for my health, recognizing that my past lifestyle had contributed to this moment and that a deep shift is needed. And if I had contributed to it, I could also change it.

Taking Control of My Healing Journey

In the modern world, doctors often tell patients that “cancer just happens,” implying that there’s nothing they could have done to prevent it. While this may seem compassionate, it strips people of their power.

If I had contributed to the conditions that allowed cancer to grow, I could also create the conditions for healing.

And that’s exactly what I did.

Taking accountability for your health is not self-blame—it’s self-empowerment.

Every choice we make—our food, movement, mindset, and emotions—affects our vibration, life energy, and overall well-being.

I believe in radical responsibility, mindful living, and coming home to the body with reverence.

Healing isn’t linear, easy, or always graceful. But it’s possible. Not because we’re lucky — but because we choose to show up for ourselves every day.

My cancer didn’t just change my life — it gave me a new one.

My Philosophy

After saying no to chemotherapy and yes to an embodied healing path, I immersed myself in yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and trauma-informed mindfulness. I went to India for Panchakarma. I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali.

Now, through Grateful Minds, I share what helped me heal:

Yoga

Transformative Yoga build for all ages and body types helping you find your inner strenght and resilience

MBSR

Retreats

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction 8-week course. A research-backed path to healing, clarity, and inner calm.

Daily, short and long retreats to rest, reset and reconnect together in nature and beautiful food.

How I Serve Now

Workshops

Short, powerful, and accessible—designed to help you reconnect with yourself, even on a hectic schedule

Self-compassion isn’t soft — it’s fierce, revolutionary, and life-saving.

The body holds deep wisdom and deserves to be listened to.

Healing is your birthright — and your responsibility.

Movement, mindfulness, and nourishment are not luxuries, they’re medicine.

You don’t have to look a certain way or be “perfect” to be whole

What I believe

I’m not here to tell you what to do.
I’m here to walk beside you as you remember that you are powerful, worthy, and capable of creating deep, lasting healing — from the inside out.

If you feel called to move, rest, breathe, or simply begin again…
I’m here. And this space — Grateful Minds — is for you

A Note From My Heart

Alena was a perfect teacher - sharing her wisdom, genuine enthusiasm and having thoughtful responses to everyone's comments/ feedback. Also, she has the most lovely relaxing voice for the guided meditations!

Annabelle Mayers

Alena - fantastic teacher , so knowledgeable and always knew the correct way to answer any situation. Cannot ask for a better supportive teacher

Sangeeta Patel

★★★★★

★★★★★

Testimonials