Cristina Penna
WHO I AM: MY JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION
KATA is the short form of katatsumuri, the Japanese word for snail. My yoga teachers gave me this name when I completed the Odaka Yoga Zen Warrior course. In Japan, the snail symbolizes perseverance and patience, embodying the philosophy of a “slow and steady victory.”
I have always been a planner. I had it all: a husband, a home, friends, and a successful career. Then, in 2009, my life crumbled piece by piece. Rebuilding myself was a conscious choice—I prioritized my mental well-being and committed to deep personal growth. It was challenging, but yoga and meditation became essential tools in my healing process.
A few years ago, I left my secure job as a sales manager at a multinational company, earned a second degree, found a new great love, and moved from Italy to California.
What have I learned? Happiness cannot depend on external factors; otherwise, it will never be truly yours. Life always offers new opportunities, but only if you are ready to see them. Transformation requires the willingness to shift your perspective and approach.
As a young adult, I followed the expectations of others. I earned a law degree, convinced that fulfilling my sense of justice would make me happy. But I soon realized that the legal world was not for me—pursuing justice meant stepping into a system that would bring me too much suffering, as I wouldn’t be able to fix all the injustices I encountered. So, I changed paths, earning a postgraduate master's degree in marketing and entering the corporate world.
For nearly twenty years, I managed large sales teams, using coaching as a leadership tool. But to stay centered and balanced, I always complemented my work with a steady practice of yoga and meditation, which I had cultivated since adolescence.
In 2018, I became a certified yoga teacher, started teaching in my free time, and continued deepening my studies.
In 2020, as the uncertainty of Covid left many people around me struggling, I reached a turning point. What had always been a passion for me could become a transformative anchor for others. I left the corporate world and dedicated myself entirely to Holistic Coaching, blending my professional background with in-depth knowledge of personal growth techniques.
But I didn’t stop there. With a lifelong passion for psychology, I decided to take my expertise even further by pursuing a master's degree in Italy in Counseling and Clinical Psychology. After five years of study and an internship in Germany at Mind, a foundation specializing in psychedelic therapies, I graduated in 2023 with a thesis on new approaches to treating depression.
My personal journey of transformation has shaped the way I work today. I know what it means to start over, to question everything, to rebuild from the ground up. And I know that change is possible—with the right tools, the right guidance, and the right mindset.
✨ If you are seeking clarity, transformation, or simply a new perspective, I am here to guide you through this journey.✨
Book yourself for a free short introductory call (15 minutes)
Love, compassion, trasformation, happyness
Cristina