Yoga & Cuisine

YOGA

Carmen's yoga classes (Vini-Yoga) are structured and adapted to the individual so that both beginners and advanced practitioners feel comfortable. Because "Yoga adapts to the person, that's it. You cannot adapt people to yoga; people must not be adapted, moulded or made to fit yoga! Yoga must be made to fit the person,' said Sri Krishnamacharja, the founder of modern yoga in the early 20th century.

With a maximum group size of 8, there is ample opportunity to cater for individual needs. The breaks between the dynamic movements (vinyāsa) offer plenty of space for self-awareness.

There is always a goal at the centre of the class. This may be a particular asana, it may be a spiritual goal, it may simply be to enjoy your own practice or to have calmed your mind at the end of the class. This goal is prepared in appropriate steps that build on each other (vinyāsa krama). The breath is at the centre of the practice. Every movement is connected to the breath. The breath tells us whether we are making the right effort to achieve a certain goal or whether we are overexerting ourselves. It gives us feedback on our condition.

However, Vini-Yoga is not a style in this sense, but yoga for every person, every situation, every environment. It recognises that each person has individual needs and circumstances and therefore requires a sequence of exercises that suits them. What may be ideal for a participant on a yoga holiday may be detrimental to a stressed manager after a stressful day. People are met where they are, so Vini-Yoga is an intelligent and individualised application of the tools and methods that yoga offers.

The most important thing is to enjoy the practice, and we won't have that if we force ourselves into difficult asanas for which our bodies are neither made nor sufficiently prepared. Through conscious dynamic movements in harmony with our breath, a structured class structure and attentive guidance, we are able to get to know our bodies and our needs better.

The foundation of yoga is the Yogasūtra by Patañjali - written some 2,000 years ago, it is still the most fundamental and authoritative work on yoga. The central idea is the mind, how it works, its effects on life, its limitations and its possibilities. Although Patañjali's Yogasūtra has inspired the wisdom teachings and practices of India, it is not religious in nature. Rather, the Yogasūtra can be seen as a companion and guide on the path of everyday life as well as on the spiritual path of yoga.

CUISINE

Imagine the scent of fresh herbs and ripe vegetables from a sun-drenched garden filling your senses. Mediterranean cuisine is synonymous with joie de vivre, pleasure and a deep connection to nature. It celebrates the power of the land: sun-ripened tomatoes, aromatic rosemary and delicate olive oils tell stories of tradition and the rhythm of the seasons.

But what happens when this southern opulence meets the simple elegance of Scandinavia? The result is a very special harmony. The clarity and lightness of the North - with its love of fermented foods, roots and berries - complements the warmth of the Mediterranean in surprising ways.

Instead of heavy dishes, light, nutritious creations dominate: Delicate fennel salads with a light dill vinaigrette, creamy hummus refined with Nordic wild herbs, or marinated beetroot that becomes the star of the plate with a pinch of toasted caraway and a hint of lemon zest.

The secret lies in the regionality: products from the local market or from our own garden, carefully prepared, bring the authenticity we are all looking for. This cuisine is not only about flavor, but also about a way of life. It invites you to savor the simplicity of the moment, to ground yourself and to celebrate the diversity of nature, with a lightness that nourishes both body and soul.

A combination of Mediterranean heart and Scandinavian soul: Healthy food is not only nourishment, it is inspiration. It reminds us that true pleasure is in the simple things..