It all happens far too quickly… Workdays become more stressful, and my body no longer seems to know how to unwind. It feels good to slow down and take a step back. For me, the best way to do that is through movement. (But not necessarily another round of high-intensity cardio.) Rather, slow, mindful movements — enough to challenge me while allowing my mind to switch off. Yoga and Pilates are ideal for this. One particularly beautiful place to do both is Unfold Studio in Kreuzberg. Walking past Kreuzberg’s Engelbecken, enter a courtyard where the studio is tucked away inside an old brick building. Unfold was founded in November 2025 by Nurşin Gündogdu and Valery Diaz Guerrero, two friends and former roommates. Nurşin discovered yoga while spending time in Australia and New Zealand, while Valery gained experience through yoga teacher trainings with international instructors. Their shared passion led to the creation of the studio. What makes Unfold particularly special are the backgrounds of its two founders. Valery’s family is from Colombia and has a strong musical background, and she herself has been dancing since childhood. This connection to music and movement finds its way into her yoga practice. Rhythm and flow play an important role in her Vinyasa classes. Influenced by her Kurdish roots, Nurşin wants to make yoga more accessible and create a space where people feel welcome regardless of their background.
You can feel both of these influences during the classes. As soon as you enter the bright, airy space, everything becomes a little quieter. The interior is minimalist: light curtains hang in front of the large windows, while paper lamps suspended from the ceiling cast a warm glow. When the wind drifts through the open windows, the airy curtains and lamps gently sway with it. The founders developed the interior concept with Affin Design and artist Ksenia Oganesyan. But beyond the design, it is the classes that take center stage. From morning until evening, the schedule offers a range of yoga and Pilates sessions, from Deep Flexibility and Full Body Pilates to Energizing Vinyasa. The program remains intentionally limited, yet offers enough variety to try out different classes without having to work your way through an endless list of formats. During the class, I noticed a shift after the first few breathing exercises. My body was challenged, but at the same time, my mind gradually began to quiet down. If you have a little more time, join the monthly 90-minute Long Session, followed by coffee together. From 03.-06.09.2026, Unfold will also be hosting its first retreat, Unfolding into Rest, at Haven Halleland — perfect if you need a few extra days to switch off entirely. There’s certainly no shortage of places to practice yoga and Pilates in Berlin, but Unfold is its own distinctive little universe with a unique approach.
Text: Isabelle Marten / Photos: Mohit Almani
Unfold Studio, Leuschnerdamm 13, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@unfoldstudioberlin
