Hi, I’m Zeynep!
I'm a certified mindfulness & compassion meditation teacher and coach supporting people living abroad in finding calm & happiness right in the midst of their messy, painful lives.
I have in-depth training from renowned teachers like Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield and Oren Jay Sofer. And I know what it’s like to rebuild your life in a new country, navigating new languages, cultures and systems, integrating different versions of yourself, holding uncertainty, loss, and grief. Born and raised in Turkey, I lived abroad in the US for 4 years, and I live in France for the past 10 years. I even had two periods of moving back home to Turkey.
I blend traditional mindfulness & compassion practices with cutting-edge scientific insights, and offer a multicultural, safe, and trauma-sensitive space for you to reconnect with yourself and move forward, gently and fiercely.
My Experience and Training
I am a seasoned meditation practitioner of 13 years and an instructor for 6. I have been teaching meditation courses and groups for the general public, coaching clients 1:1, and conducting weekly meditation sessions at various workplaces since 2019. My teachings and coaching have reached hundreds of people across Europe, with very high (9.8/10) satisfaction ratings.
I obtained my teaching certification from the prestigious two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program under Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, in collaboration with the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 2021. In March 2024, I furthered my expertise by completing the advanced Mindfulness Mentor Training program under the same renowned teachers. I receive ongoing mentorship from Oren Jay Sofer, Alison Cohen, and Tara Brach.
My Teachers
My Approach
My Story
I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and received an American education from the age of 9. My first love was dancing (Zeynep at age 3: “I want to go to a serious ballet school!”). I always loved both sciences and humanities. My university years reflected this: I studied Engineering and Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, while dancing as much as I could. After graduation, I fell into the tech start-up world and worked as a Product Manager and Head of Product in various companies for 14 years.
As this path was unfolding, I had several moments of “awakening”:
The first was when my father died of a sudden heart attack just before my senior year at university. I was 21. My childhood had been ...
Photo Gallery
Beautiful lavender fields and beaches in the South of France - crazy that this is my home!
Marseille, my city, where I swim almost every day!
One of the most grounding things in my life: moving my body in nature. Hiking and biking are favorites. And loving whatever animals come my way!
My partner, daughter, and two cats. ❤️
Istanbul, my home town - the most magical place on Earth.
Subscribe to Tiny Purple Flowers
Join Tiny Purple Flowers to receive free mindfulness & compassion teachings and to explore finding everyday wellbeing and happiness. Each letter offers practical insights, scientific findings, personal reflections, curated resources and announcements about my upcoming offerings.
