Hi dear listeners, I’m Andrea and this is Plus Forty-Nine.

This is my first interview in this Plus Forty-Nine space, which Sigrid created with the idea of diving deep into Germany and sharing experiences and know-how about this country and its people – as people with a migration story behind us.

My first guest also has something to do with me. I’ve been practicing yoga for over fifteen years, and a couple of months ago I had to look for a new studio because my yoga teacher decided to take a break. But life always teaches us that every ending brings a new beginning.

And that’s how I landed on a mat with Vanessa Muñoz-Pretzel as my teacher.

Hi, Vanessa.

Vanessa
Hi, Andrea. Thank you for having me.

Andrea
The honor is mine.

Vanessa comes from warm and sunny Texas and, as you might guess from her last name, she also has Mexican roots. She’s been teaching yoga for over ten years in the US, in Germany, and in other places around the world.

Besides her regular classes in different studios around Berlin, she also teaches privately, offers workshops, takes part in teacher trainings – actually, she’s a teacher-training teacher – and she works as a breathwork facilitator and has her own approach to sound baths.

And before I just keep listing everything that Vanessa does… Vanessa, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Who is Vanessa?

Vanessa
So yes, I come from El Paso, Texas. My father is from Mexico, from Ciudad Juárez, which is just across the border.

Actually, my father was the one who introduced me to Kundalini yoga over twenty years ago. At first I was a bit taken aback by the practice, and now I actually love teaching Kundalini, plus many other styles like Hatha yoga, and the breathwork that you mentioned.

I’ve also been traveling a lot to Peru and many other places where I’m able to support people on their journey to becoming yoga teachers. And I’ve really been enjoying that.

Andrea
That sounds so interesting and amazing.

So, back to Germany. You have a US American and Mexican background. How do you think these two cultures shaped the way you adapted to Germany?

From El Paso to Berlin

Vanessa
Well, yes – I have a Mexican background, my mother is Lebanese, and I also have a bit of Cherokee in me, so it’s quite a mix.

But what all those cultures have in common is that they’re warm, welcoming, and open. So coming to Berlin and encountering the mindset here was quite a shock at the beginning.

Andrea
How long have you been here already?

Vanessa
I’ve been here eight years.

Andrea
And what brought you to Berlin?

Vanessa
I married a German.

Andrea
Ah, that’s where the “Pretzel” comes from?

Vanessa
Yes. It’s not a yoga name – it’s my real last name.

Andrea
Did you have expectations coming to Germany? And were they met?

Vanessa
My father shared a lot about Germany in the past, so my expectations were quite high. He always said: the cars are great, the food is great, the beer is great, the roads are great.

I actually met my husband through my father, through friends and connections.

I must admit: after I learned the language and I was actually understanding what a lot of people were saying, and understood more of the culture, I was a bit shocked. I realised: oh my gosh, people here can be quite confrontational, abrasive, even rude. And that’s very different from where I come from.

So it’s been a rollercoaster these past eight years. But I still love it here, and I do think the beer is very good when I drink it, the roads are great, the nature is beautiful, there’s a lot of water – and sometimes you meet very, very nice people, especially through the yoga community.

London vs. Berlin

Andrea
Berlin is rough, definitely. Have you only lived in Berlin in Germany?

Vanessa
I actually lived in London for two years before. My husband, who is German, grew up here in Berlin, studied in London, moved there when he was young, and then stayed.

When we met – we actually met in Texas – he was living in London. So when I first decided to move, I moved to a place outside London in Surrey and lived there for two years.

Then we decided to move to Berlin because his family is here, and he has two children from his first marriage living nearby. So we moved to be close to his family.

Andrea
If you compare living in London to living in Berlin, in which aspects does Berlin feel more welcoming?

Vanessa
Coming from London and visiting family here, I thought: wow, what a cool vibe. So artsy, so edgy – lots of exhibitions, funky bars, cafés, lots of yoga studios.

It was also more affordable at that point. When we went out to eat, we sometimes thought the bill was wrong because it was so low. That has changed in the last eight years, of course.

But back then, Berlin felt electrifying when I visited. I felt like I fit into the city because of the funkiness and the cool vibe – compared to London, which was already very expensive and kind of where I now feel Berlin is heading.

Cultural surprises

Andrea
What has been surprising or difficult culturally in Germany?

Vanessa
I didn’t have a lot of fixed expectations, but I would say: until recently, I felt Berlin was quite pro-US.

I guess that comes from the history – when Germany was divided and President John F. Kennedy organised the airlift into West Berlin, the Luftbrücke. I think Berliners have never forgotten that.

What’s been most difficult culturally is the people. They are not as naturally curious, welcoming or open as I’m used to. They don’t really ask “How are you?”

In the States everyone asks, “Hi, how are you?” You walk into the Gap and hear it immediately. People say, “Yeah, but that’s fake.” And I’d say: maybe yes, maybe no – but at least they smile, they greet you, they try to engage. I miss that.

Identity and belonging

Andrea
Are there moments when you feel absolutely like a US American in Berlin?

Vanessa
Yes – especially when I hang out with my American friends. When I find an American, I think: okay, I’m home. I could talk for hours with them. That’s when I really feel: I’m American.

Andrea
I know that feeling. When I arrived, I did that with anyone speaking Spanish.

You also have Mexican roots. Is there a way you bring your “Mexicanness” into your daily life? What does that mean for you?

Vanessa
The Mexican side is definitely a big part of my cultural heritage. I use Mexican Spanish terms like mija, abuelo, abuela, papá.

I also sometimes swear in Spanish – I won’t repeat those here.

And of course, food: I love spicy food. I really miss the climate of the high desert, the sunshine, tequila – good tequila – and good salsa.

I told you I finally found an authentic taco truck at Wittenbergplatz, and now it’s my weekly Thursday lunch break spot. I go there for a proper taco.

Andrea
That’s amazing. It sounds like you’ve integrated your US–Mexican–Lebanese–Cherokee mix into your life here, not just in who you are, but in your daily routines.

How do Germans usually respond to your cultural background?

Vanessa
Two of my closest German friends here call me “Mamacita” or their “spicy friend” – I think one said I’m her spicy taco at some point.

A lot of Germans look at me and wonder where I’m from. Because of my Lebanese side, some think I’m Syrian or Israeli. When they hear me speak English, they realise I’m from the US. And I’ve noticed their attitude often changes – they become friendlier once they know I’m American.

When they then see my last name and realise I also have Mexican roots, it becomes clearer that I come from an immigrant background myself. The US is also made up of immigrants, and that kind of clicks.

From film sets to yoga mats

Andrea
Back in the US, were you also working as a yoga teacher, or did you do something else before?

Vanessa
I never really went down the classic corporate road.

I left El Paso at eighteen and moved to San Diego, which is also on the border, close to Baja California – another one of my favourite places on Earth.

I studied visual arts in San Diego and loved working on film sets. I thought I’d move to LA and work in film. That creative side was very important to me.

Then I decided to travel. I went to Southeast Asia, took time off. After that, I ended up back in my hometown in El Paso, wondering what I was going to do next.

Around that time, I was practicing yoga more and more. I decided I wanted to learn more about it. So I signed up for my first yoga teacher training in Costa Rica in 2012.

I had just met my husband before that training.

Andrea
So quite early on it was clear you’d go down the yoga path?

Vanessa
Not entirely. I was pretty shy and timid. I wasn’t sure I could stand in front of a class and teach. I mainly wanted to deepen my own practice and understand yoga better.

But when I came back home, a friend opened a yoga studio, needed teachers, and basically pushed me into it.

That’s when I really found my path as a yoga teacher.

Teaching in Germany vs. the US

Andrea
Do you feel the cultural differences also in your yoga classes?

How is the relationship with your students here – are they curious and open, or more reserved?

Vanessa
I was quite a beginner when I started teaching in the US, but for me yoga has always been about community. No matter where I teach, it brings like-minded people together.

When I first started teaching in Berlin, I was shy again. I thought: I don’t speak German, who will want to learn yoga from me?

At the first studio I taught in, the response was huge. Over time I noticed: Germans can be more careful and take longer to open up. In the States, people open up right away. Here, it takes time – but once they do, it’s solid.

Through yoga I’ve always been able to create community – that’s what yoga is for me: connection.

What Berlin has taught her

Andrea
What would you say Berlin has taught you about your profession, or about yourself?

Vanessa
Professionally, it’s shown me that no matter who you are or where you’re from, you can connect with people if you create space for it.

Because I teach in English, many of my students are foreigners: people who don’t feel comfortable yet taking a yoga class in German.

So I’ve met people from China, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and so many other places. It’s such an interesting mix.

It’s confirmed what yoga teaches anyway: at the end of the day, we’re all the same.

Andrea
Do you feel at home in Berlin? If yes, when did that begin – and if not, what’s still missing?

Vanessa
I do feel at home in Berlin. I’ve been here eight years – every time I come back to my apartment, I feel: okay, I’m home.

Even when I travel a lot or visit Texas – which I still call home – I also call Berlin home. For me, coming home means my dogs, my husband, and the little sanctuary I’ve built here.

It’s about being present and belonging to the place you’re living in, in that moment.

Advice for newcomers

Andrea
Would you have advice for people coming to Germany or Berlin and trying to build a life here?

Vanessa

I’d say: try to integrate, try to understand the culture, and learn the language.

There are integration and language courses available to everyone. I did them in the beginning, and they really helped – at least to understand the basics: the supermarket, the post office, what’s happening around you.

And: don’t give up. Sometimes it feels hard, challenging, or unfriendly. But if you can find a group of like-minded people, make a few good friends, then you’re in a strong position.

Berlin has so much to offer: culture, restaurants, nature. It’s a vibrant, alive city. Yes, it’s changing, but I think the whole world is changing.

Andrea
If you could say something to Vanessa from eight years ago, what would it be?

Vanessa
Speak up. Don’t be shy. Set boundaries.

My mom always taught me: walk in with your head held high.

There were moments I felt intimidated – by the language, by people’s attitude. I’d tell my younger self: you’re stronger than you think.

Andrea

Vanessa, thank you so much for sharing your story, your reflections and your energy today. It’s been a pleasure having you here, and I’m sure our listeners will love getting to know more about Vanessa Muñoz-Pretzel.

Vanessa
Thank you so much for having me. It was a lot of fun.