Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Berkey.
Hi Caroline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Thank you so much for having me!
I could approach this question in a few ways, but here is the real story. Full disclosure: I found yoga at a low point in my life.
In my late teens/early twenties, I was full of hope for my future. I moved from Florida to Kentucky to rock climb, then to San Diego to join a fabulous group of interns at a non-profit called Invisible Children (remember Kony 2012?!). My wings were spreading and adventures were unfolding!
However, family challenges called me back home to Florida in 2012. My Mom was in turmoil, struggling with an addiction and mental health instability, which naturally took a toll on everyone involved. At times, I felt like a bystander watching the foundations of my family structure crumble; other times, like life had somehow turned into a bad movie. Mostly, I just felt caught in a whirlwind of chaos, uncertain if I was helping or hurting the situation.
That’s when I stumbled upon my first real yoga class. I found solace, which helped me put my life in perspective—if even for just an hour.
Every yoga class after that was a refuge & I showed up ready to learn. The combination of mindful breathing, flowing movement, and music allowed me to let go of pressure and mental chatter to find peace in the present. It wasn’t always perfect—sometimes my mind remained loud. But I kept going back. Over time, my yoga practice brought physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual growth.
In 2022, I decided to register for Yoga Teacher Training with Jessica Mihm at High Vibration Living Yoga School. Her teachings opened my eyes to the worlds of movement, meditation, and wellness. Since earning my teaching certificate, my interest and curiosity in this field have only grown. I created a side-gig business—Balanced Flow—which I lead with curiosity and a desire to support others, just as yoga has supported me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road, but I’m still grateful to walk it.
My mom passed away in 2015 when she was 54 years old. She was a wonderful woman and I deeply miss her. I think of her often. As a maturing woman (I’m 37 now), I understand my mom in a deeper way—she was balancing quite a lot. Her plate was entirely full, overflowing onto the floor, and possibly flooding the streets. My Dad has also been through the wringer recently with multiple heart surgeries and health complications. Both parents have dealt with an undercurrent of chronic stress for years, and I am personally beginning to understand the challenge of hormone fluctuations women face in mid-life.
The health implications of chronic stress are tangible, yet greater than we realize. Most folks treat managing stress as a luxury (which I understand, especially when budgets are tight!), but I believe stress management is a necessity. Chronic stress plus unbalanced hormones or disease is a recipe for disaster on a physical and emotional level.
Mental, emotional, and physical health dysfunction within my family was no picnic, but it opened my eyes. It is so important to be your own advocate for your health—to establish self-care practices, to do your own research, and to speak up when you need support. Many of us are ashamed to talk openly about personal health & emotional struggles, but we are not alone, and it can be comforting to find the companionship of peers dealing with similar issues. Community and camaraderie alone can help lower stress, which is good for your health!
With a loving support system and self-care practices, I’ve been able to improve my emotional regulation and surmount each challenge set before me. It does take effort, but it’s worth it. I’m grateful that yoga encourages me to slow down & see the beauty in life—and I’m grateful that my struggles have made me a more understanding and compassionate leader.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A core mantra of yoga is “may all beings everywhere be happy and free.” That is a true wish of mine. I hope to encourage others to listen to their bodies, trust themselves, and take action for their health & well-being. I created Balanced Flow as a pathway for folks to take that action.
Balanced Flow offers a unique combination of yoga styles to truly support the individual in a balanced, holistic way—meaning that I consider my clients’ emotional needs and circumstances as an integral part of their overall health & training.
I empower my clients to become their own coach by building self-awareness and self-trust. I pride myself on prioritizing their nervous system regulation before numbers and measurements. I create individual programs that include:
-STRENGTH with Steel Mace loaded yoga
-MOBILITY with Myofascial Release techniques and targeted exercises
-BALANCE + FLEXIBILITY with traditional Hatha and Vinyasa yoga
-EMOTIONAL REGULATION with breath work and mindfulness
-INNER HEALING with Yoga Nidra
The combination of these styles creates a container in which one can begin to awaken & develop ownership over their health on many levels. We do also keep everything customizable and offer single sessions if a client prefers one style or wants to work on one specific thing.
Additionally, I also teach a 60-min beach yoga class for Radiate Yoga on Friday mornings, and am really looking forward to the fall when I’ll have a few specialty group class offerings popping up!
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, is freedom of time, energy, and activity. Having ownership over your path, whether that be daily, yearly, or in life generally. But, it also has a feeling: an undercurrent of confidence and contentment that your path in life aligns with your values.
When the deepest part of you feels contented by your efforts, and you go to sleep at night knowing that you are taking positive action to rise to your own potential, that’s success too. 🙂
Pricing:
- Be sure to jump into my email community for a special announcement on coaching packages this September! You can join here: https://www.balanced-flow.com/pages/community
Contact Info:
- Website: https://balanced-flow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolineberkey_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@balanced-flow
Image Credits
Danielle Nemeth
