What is yoga?

Yoga stands for unity between body and mind, thought and action, limitation and fulfilment. Harmony between people and nature. A holistic approach to wellbeing and health, and a healthy way of life.

Yoga is another word for relaxation, a feeling of happiness and a flexible mind. Yoga aims to bring your body, mind and soul together in harmony.

Everyone wants calm, happiness and a reason to smile. But you only find them when you look at what makes you unhappy. Unhappiness is often a lack of perspective, caused by stress and tension.

People want so much and there is never enough time or energy. We are always busy with computers and phones, and a lot goes through our heads. But we never learned how to deal with the mind. To find your balance, you also need to be able to look inward.

You lose stress and negative feelings by raising your energy level. Yoga gives you techniques and tools to live with less stress and tension. When you feel good, you feel space. Yoga makes space.

Yoga is more than physical exercise. You do the postures to reach a deeper level of awareness. Yoga is skill in action. Situations keep changing, so it matters to stay skilful through every change.

The breath is very important in yoga. It connects body and mind. The mind is intangible and the body is very complex, and the breath sits in between. Just notice your breathing when you are stressed or angry, and when you are at rest.

Yoga is not a religion. It is universal and encourages harmony and diversity. It is wisdom, insight and techniques to make you whole.

After training in power yoga, ashtanga, kundalini and hatha, Caroline chose a form of her own: Smiling Spirit Yoga. It draws on every form of yoga. The combination of yoga, breathing, music, tea and meditation helps you feel good every day.