You want to know why I created the Yogini Meike Avatar in an iconic hot-pink Barbie box?
Honestly, I would have never thought I’d one day express myself as a six-armed Barbie in a box, smiling serenely in tree pose, framed by the glowing light of sunrise and the atlantic’s horizon.
Yet here she is: Yogini Meike Barbie, a multifaceted avatar for a path of self-discovery —rooted in the stories of so many women and men who have felt both “in the box” and yearning to step out.
Here are my reasons or the Yogini Meike Barbie Story.
1. Through the Looking Glass: The First Box
My journey began in West-Berlin, a divided city defined by boundaries—some visible, some invisible.
As a child, I pressed my nose to the shop window of Spielvogel, the local toy shop, gazing at rows of Barbie dolls that were deemed forbidden fruits in my early childhood.
My left-leaning parents rejected these flashy Barbie toys as too American, a symbol of Western consumerism and unrealistic beauty standards.
2. In the Box: Body Image and Perfectionism
Looking back, I realise that while my parents wanted to protect me from the harms of consumerism and shallow ideals, their unintended message may have been: "You are only worthy if you live up to our higher standards."
Worth, it seemed, had to be earned—not through owning things, but by achieving and excelling.
The greatest irony? In trying to shield me from Barbie's unrealistic beauty standards, they inadvertently planted the very seed of perfectionism that would later bloom into a full-blown eating disorder.
This set up a lifelong pattern of striving to be "enough"—measuring myself against impossible standards, first with my body like so many young girls, then with intellectual achievements.
The shadow of anorexia followed me like a grey dog through adolescence. Years later, burnout set in after striving endlessly to achieve, forgetting to nourish myself along the way. The sense of "not enough" became a quiet but constant companion, shaping my choices and my self-image.
3. Catching Glimpses through the Mirror
Yoga became my invitation to step out of illusion—the world of appearances: maya. This concept rooted in Yoga philosophy teaches us that outer beauty is little more than an illusion.
What the world sees, what the mirror reflects, is only the faintest shadow of who we truly are.
Yoga also introduced me to the koshas—the five interconnected layers of being: the physical body, the energetic body, the mental/emotional body, the wisdom body, and the bliss body.
This understanding helped me realise that well-being and personal identity are not just about the physical layer or intellectual capacity, but about the subtle, energetic, and spiritual dimensions that shape our experience.
Healing began when I learnt to be in touch with all these layers through movement meditation.
Long before this Barbie avatar sprang into existence, I caught an almost paranormal glimpse of myself in the early nineties: suddenly, and stone-cold sober, I saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror—not with two arms, but with six.
That fleeting vision lingered in my memory, waiting for the moment when its meaning would fully reveal itself.
Around that same time, I went to the annual carnival party dressed as Medusa, the Greek snake goddess—a powerful, mythical woman with many layers.
In hindsight, I see how these playful, imaginative moments were early hints of the archetypes and inner powers I would one day explore more consciously through yoga and self-inquiry.
4. Breaking the Mold: The Barbie Movie and the Messy Angel
The blockbuster film Barbie (2023) gave voice to what so many women have had to come to terms with: the challenges and contradictions of real-life womanhood—facing unrealistic societal expectations and impossible beauty standards. When Gloria says, “It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough,” it reflects the experience of everyone who’s ever felt boxed in—especially modern women.
Today, being a woman often means striving for superhuman perfection, constantly multi-tasking, juggling countless roles and expectations as if you had six arms.
Yet the real magic begins when you break the mold and boldly embrace your own authenticity, both inside and outside the box. The Yogini Meike Barbie is not about fantasy, but about the courage and creativity it takes to meet life as it is—always becoming.
Becoming a messy angel—a bit like the Yogini Meike Barbie avatar—means balancing the practical with the mystical, and remembering that true empowerment isn’t found in perfection, but in letting go of the myth that you must be superhuman to be enough. This is where the real magic begins.
5. Stepping Out: The Six Sacred Instruments for the Path
In this image of Yogini Meike Barbie, the interplay of the sacred and the everyday—the mystical and the practical—comes vividly to life. She stands as a joyful invitation to embrace every facet of ourselves, acquiring our own instruments of consciousness along the way and learning to navigate life’s challenges with a wise heart.
Her six arms are not just playful details; they represent the very tools a messy angel needs to meet the complexities of the modern world. These instruments of consciousness are not bestowed all at once—they are earned over time, shaped and refined by life’s experiences, challenges, and dedicated practice.
The lotus stands for compassion and the courage to bloom not despite, but because of adversity—a reminder that your softness is a superpower. The feather stands for intellect, creativity, and the power to rewrite your own story. The bell embodies presence and the ability to return to the moment. The sword signifies discernment and truth, cutting through illusion. The trident represents protection and the right to claim your space, symbolising the courage to set boundaries and say no. The vajra is clarity and indestructible resolve—the diamond strength you call on when the world asks you to be unbreakable and shine from within.
Though she may not be of this world, she is very much in it: at her feet are the practical essentials—coffee, boots, headphones, and a phone—reminding us that empowerment is lived in the realities of modern-day adventure.
6. Out of the Box: Female Role Models and a Mitra on the Path
None of us truly steps out of the box alone. On my journey, I have been guided and inspired by female role models and spiritual friends—mitras—on the path. My teacher Shiva Rea, for example, has shown me how to honour tradition while also embracing change, to respect what has come before and to welcome what is yet to unfold.
We all need such role models—women who embody both strength and softness, wisdom and authenticity. They remind us that it is possible to be grounded, open, and real. This journey of becoming is not meant to be solitary; it is enriched and sustained by the friends, mentors, and community (sangha) who walk with us, reflecting back our own capacity for growth and transformation.
7. Empowerment for All
At Yoga Laube, this spirit truly comes to life. My vision is to share the wisdom of this journey with all who seek to transcend the boxes they’ve inherited. Our classes and workshops blend traditional and contemporary yoga practices with body acceptance. Here, you are invited to step into your own story and become the tree you are meant to be—as symbolised in tree pose.
At Yoga Laube, we honour tradition and practise compassion over comparison, believing in the value of every journey—flawed, courageous, messy, and magical.
All are welcome here! Whether you are seeking strength, healing, community, or simply a place to breathe, Yoga Laube is here for you. Our mission is to create a welcoming, empowering space—both in-person and online—where everyone, regardless of gender identity, can ignite their heart and move with wisdom.
As a community of friends on the path, we strive to encourage every person to step both in and out of every box—together.
German translation coming soon.
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