Unfold Your Mat

The most cliché misconceptions about yoga we often hear are: “I can’t do yoga because I’m not flexible” or “I want to do yoga to become flexible.” In the ancient yogic tradition, the word sadhana represents a consistent, dedicated practice. It’s not just about mastering postures or becoming strong and flexible—although those things can naturally happen with time and effort. The journey of yoga goes far deeper than physical goals. You can approach yoga for superficial reasons and practice for vanity, or you can embrace it as a tool for personal growth. There’s a big difference. Your intention and mindset shape the outcome of your practice. Yoga continues to amaze me as the years pass. The more I practice, the more I uncover subtle layers of the mind and self. Often, it’s in moments of stillness—when we allow ourselves to pause and listen—that we truly begin to hear and understand ourselves. This is what yoga offers: a chance to quiet the noise, introspect, observe, and sift through distractions so we can connect with our hearts. It’s a profound inward journey—a disciplined path toward self-discovery, transformation, and freedom. But yoga isn’t just what happens on the mat. It’s about how we live off the mat: with intention, kindness, and a deeper connection to ourselves, others, and the world around us. 🌿 The beauty of yoga is that the practice itself speaks louder than words ever can. You have to show up, day after day, to experience its power. Results don’t come from wishing or thinking but through action and presence. This is the essence of yoga sadhana: to keep coming home to yourself. Again and again. What does yoga mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts 💛 #yogasadhana #journeyinward #yogalife #mindbodyconnection #unfoldyourmat #laviniayoga #gothenburg #göteborg #gothenburgyoga #yogagöteborg #yogastudio #selfdevelopment #introspection #freedom

🌟 Be careful what you wish for… 🌟 My friend S told me this many years ago, and oh, how those words have stayed with me. Because I did get what I wished for—and so much more. I’ve had the privilege of building something from scratch in a foreign country, a place where I arrived with only a suitcase and dreams, sharing the heart and gift of yoga with the world, meeting thousands of incredible people who’ve joined my classes over the last 10 years. I’ve grown—not just as a teacher but as a person. I’ve explored, refined my craft, and evolved into a version of myself that I’m proud of. It hasn’t been easy. The world of art and small businesses can feel lonely, like you’re constantly not good enough—especially when you’re doing everything yourself. It’s so much easier to see what’s missing or what could be better, and much harder to acknowledge how far you’ve already come. This year started with me feeling defeated, on my knees. But it’s ending with me standing tall, a damn crown on my head. Like Amie @inspiredtowrite says, “You have to put the crown on your own head. Don’t wait for anyone else to do it for you.” What keeps me going? A deep, unwavering purpose. Seeing your faces after class—calmer, more peaceful, and in tune with yourselves—is the fuel I need to keep creating, learning, and sharing. Even on the hardest days, I know the world needs the things I offer. The world needs so much more yoga, meditation and moments of stillness. People often ask, What’s the secret? Why do you keep going? Where does the strength come from? My answer? I’m a little crazy (or a lot crazy). I refuse to settle for mediocrity. And the pain of not doing what I love is far greater than the challenges of showing up every day. To all the artists, dreamers, and small business owners out there who doubt themselves: please keep going. Your work matters. Your unique gift matters. The world needs you. Keep dreaming. Keep creating. Keep going. #followyourpurpose #keepgoing #artistsanddreamers #smallbusinessjourney #unfoldyourmat #gothenburg #yoga #gothenburgyoga #yogagöteborg #yogateacher #yogalärare #laviniayoga #yogastudio #gothenburg #göteborg

Some days I feel completely out of place living here - a heart full of passion and a curious mind searching for something greater than my own limited self ❤️ I'm not simple, nor am I lagom. Sometimes, I wish I could be. And then I remember, I don't want to be anyone other than myself. I am more than a single story, culture,hobby or interest. I feel and think deeply - joy and sadness in equal measure. I love asking questions, being honest with people, expressing myself freely and engaging with different perspectives that challenge me intellectually. My heart and mind crave beauty and I strive to share my joy, my pain and life lessons through art. I want to touch hearts, provoke new perspectives, offer moments of stillness in a noisy world, and hold space for insight. I care deeply about becoming the best version of myself - not to prove anything to others,but to live authentically and elevate who I am. This passion carries over into everything I create, including our courses and classes. I'm completely obsessed with making better work one day at the time ❤️ I believe we are diamonds who need a little polishing to truly shine. I laugh and cry openly, refusing to hide behind masks 🎭 My vision for Unfold Your Mat was always to create an oasis of growth, learning, and safety—a space where we can be authentic, challenge ourselves, and evolve into better versions of who we are. It fills my heart when you share how loved, cared for, and safe you feel in this space. That’s what it’s all about ❤️ It’s #yoga, but it’s so much more than yoga. Some days, being an outsider in someone else’s country feels lonely, even after 15 years of being on the road. But meeting all of you through the studio makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for being in my life & for all the meaningful time we spend together 💓 Love always, Lavi

Hello and welcome to November! Are we ready for our favorite part of the year? As the days grow colder and darker, it’s the perfect time to turn inward and nurture ourselves. November brings a wonderful opportunity to stay warm and inspired with a dedicated yoga practice. Out of the head, into the body. More feeling, less overthinking. More softness, less caught up in anxiety. More focused, less distracted. Turn your senses inwards. And explore. One.Breath.At.The.Time Hug, Lavinia

When I first began sharing my practice, it came from a place of pure and honest intention - to share my passion, my own nerdy explorations, and to do something meaningful.No magic tricks, no quick fixes, no fluff, no marketing,no business strategy. It was and still is, 💯 authentic. I believed in mine and our ability as humans to grow and improve, in people's potential to change for the better. I wanted to share tools that I tested on myself, and to contribute something positive. I've never been a hippie; I've been an idealist, and I own that. I don't regret a thing though this might be my feature that brings me the most pain.I guess my friend R. was right many many years ago when I was just a lost little girl that I am a teacher at heart ❤️ This might be my purpose: to explore, to feel both pain and joy at their highest and to have empathy for others. I have struggled in finding my place in this yoga industry since I've never felt I identify with the mainstream view of yoga. I never belonged. I'm a bad type of yogi,I am myself. I'm not all good vibes bulls*it, I'm honest, I like to change my opinions and listen to different thoughts and perspectives. I like people I can disagree with, I like critical thinking that brings growth. Growing up in Romania, I've seen tough times and real hardship and learned that we have the strength to fight, change, and become better - if we truly want it. I don't come from privilege, I come from incredible Willpower 🔥 The older I get, the more gratitude I have for my background and the more connected I feel with it. I believe in breaking free from our own limitations, in getting out of our own way. I believe in living life beautifully ❤️ But I don't think yoga is the answer for everything or for everyone. We can only see the world through the lens of the "glasses" we're wearing at any given moment.

Always glued to you @costel_lucian ❤️ The traveler's home is nowhere and everywhere. There is a price to pay for everything, especially when you're curious cat 🐈 As Spiderman's uncle says: "with great power,comes great responsibility." true🔥 After 15 years abroad living in 3 different countries besides my country of origin, Romania, I've arrived to a point where I crave a place where I feel that I truly belong. My old home is no longer home and my current home Sweden is also not my home. I don't know if I'll ever find that magical place yet I know that in a world where everything changes, you are my HOME, my reminder for what is real, for the only thing that truly matters ❤️ Maybe the traveler's place is always on the road, exploring, learning, seeing life from different angles. And my place is always close to your heart, in your arms my beautiful Costel. Te iubesc ❤️ 📸 The kiddos, different moments in time

In this sea of opinions out there it is easy to lose oneself and start fullfiling other people's expectations of you instead of your deepest dreams. I think growing up is the process of starting to peel layers of fake knowledge and getting closer to our hearts. Sure, life is a sweet balance between pragmatism and dreams, yet being human means that we have the power to imagine, create and change, poetry is what our very existence is. We all have an inner artist that sometimes,most times,we start losing as we "grow up"... I say, the way to feel alive, fulfilled, in peace and centered is to bring that inner artist to life. For that we need quiet time, we need dedication, we need reflection, we need discipline to do what's good for us and not run after each distraction that comes our way. This is hard work, it's always been, it'll always be, especially in this time and age of instant gratification. Yet this is part of the journey of being human and wanting more from our existence❣️ This is for the warriors and weird people who believe they can continue to grow into beautiful people 💖 Our practice is the perfect condition to practice just that - connection with oneself and reflection. It brings quality to our life, it is more than just a cute distraction 🔥 Practice & unfold yourself 🙏 Trust yourself, have faith in yourself & allow the process to lead the way ❣️ Inhale. Exhale. Repeat 💫 Love, Lavinia

The balance of repetition and novelty in yoga practice ⚖️ In yoga, the magic lies in the balance between repetition and novelty. As we explore new techniques and poses, we encounter layers of complexity in both body and mind. But with repetition comes mastery. The more we revisit a pose, the deeper our understanding grows, unlocking greater physical, mental and emotional benefits. 🧘‍♀️ We need to practice a pose many times to understand it's techniques and many more times to truly embody it. With time, we stop DOING the pose and we BECOME the pose. Every transition, every shape is an opportunity to meditate, quiet the mind and work with the breath. This mindful practice not only sharpens our awareness but also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing us into a state of calm, healing and balance. 💫 Consistency in yoga isn't just about mastering the body, it's about creating space for the mind and heart to grow 💖 📸 @costel_lucian ❤️ #YogaJourney #unfoldyourmat #yoga #yogawisdom #yogagöteborg #meditationinmotion #breathworkmeditation #mindfulmovement #parasympatheticnervoussystem #restandrelaxation #yogateacher

The power of recovery & deep breaths in a busy world 🙏 In a world where burnout and sensory overwhelm have become the norm, it's more important than ever to prioritize recovery and relaxation. Taking time to reconnect with stillness and silence isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity for our well-being 🌱 Through mindful breathwork and yoga, we can tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, helping our bodies shift out of the "fight or flight" mode into a state of rest,healing and deep relaxation. When we slow down, we allow our body to recover, the mind to reset, and the nervous system to calm 🧘‍♀️ This creates space for clarity, balance, creativity and true connection to ourselves. Remember, healing happens when we give ourselves permission to be,not just do ✨ Healing happens in meeting deeper layers of ourselves and learning how to get to the core 💓 Teaching every day except Sunday this week! Come practice✨ See you on the mat! Lavinia #unfoldyourmat #gothenburg #yogateacher #laviniayoga #relaxation #recovery #stillness #unwind #mentalhealth #selfcare #yoga #breathwork #nervoussystemhealing #parasympatheticnervousystem #lotus