Carolina Zindel
What inspired you to teach yoga? What is your WHY?
I teach yoga because I truly believe that the world would be a better place if more people practiced yoga. I have seen firsthand the power that it has to change lives and teaching allows me to take an active role in that. I see movement as a tool to heal and maximize well-being. Not only do poses and breathwork increase our physical longevity by increasing our mobility, strength, and overall health, but they also serve as a vehicle to access the more subtle aspects of yoga. Time and again, Yoga invites me to see what is, provides clarity, and empowers me to be the best version of myself. To me, yoga is a way to freedom in my own body and mind. The mindfulness that I cultivate through my asana practice permeates all aspects of my life, culminating in a lifestyle of holistic well-being. As a yoga teacher, I hope to help others find this freedom in their own body and mind and ultimately connect to their higher self.
What are you certifications?
VIKASA Yoga Academy, Koh Samui Thailand— 300hr advanced YTT (RYS) May 2023 - June 2023. La Casa Shambala, koh phangan, Thailand — 200hr YTT (RYS) March 2020. Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO— BA: Psychology and Brain Science August 2015 - May 2019. Semester abroad (spring 2018): Danish Institute for Study Abroad; Focus Program: Positive Psychology. Immersive inversion and mobility training with master teachers Sara Shaktibird Bonsal and Daniel Rama. Work exchange volunteer at a Yoga Teacher Training. 7 day ayurvedic panchakarma experience and self-study in Rishikesh, India. Experience working in gyms supervising the weight room and have worked with physical therapists and chiropractors supporting the licensed physician in providing therapeutic treatment to a wide range of patients, from geriatrics to athletes with injuries, helping them effectively perform their tailored rehab exercises.
What do you teach?
I specialize in teaching a variety of yoga styles, including multi-level vinyasa, power vinyasa, and basic hath-vinyasa where I cater to beginners by breaking down poses and establishing a strong foundation for their practice. In addition to yoga, I instruct Pilates and HIIT style classes. My teaching style emphasizes creativity, focusing on proper alignment, muscle engagement, and encouraging conscious explorative movement. I enjoy incorporating mobility and strengthening exercises, opportunities for inversions, and playful transitions. By integrating asana with breathwork techniques, I create a dynamic fusion of movement and meditation, offering a practice that is both physically invigorating and introspective. An interactive teaching approach of demonstrating the poses, hands-on assists and adjustments to consenting students, and informative verbal cues help students develop a deeper sense of body awareness and encourages them to cultivate mindfulness that transcends the yoga mat.
Complete the sentence! “Yoga is…”
Yoga is...a way to freedom in more ways than one.