EQ, mindfulness and yoga for leaders: a calm weekly routine

By yum · Updated 10 November 2026

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to notice what you feel and what others feel, and to choose how you respond. Yoga is one way to practise it, because it trains you to notice your breath and your body. At yum in Sydhavnen it’s a weekly habit, not a course. We don’t promise results.

In short

• EQ in plain words: notice what’s going on in you, pause, and then choose your response.
• Yoga practises the noticing part: breath, body, and staying with something uncomfortable for a while.
• A simple week: one yum on earth, one yum retreat, one yum at sea.
• yum is not a leadership course. There’s no certificate, just a habit.
• All classes are in English, with 18 people at most.

What is EQ, in plain words?

EQ is short for emotional intelligence. You’ll hear it in leadership talks, and it’s often broken into a few simple parts:

• Self-awareness: noticing what you feel and why.
• Self-regulation: pausing before you react, especially when the pressure is on.
• Empathy: noticing what other people feel, even when they don’t say it.

None of that needs a fancy word. It’s the moment in a tense meeting where you feel your jaw tighten and decide not to send that email.

How can yoga help you practise it?

Yoga doesn’t give you EQ. We don’t claim that. But a class is a safe place to practise the first step, which is noticing.

• Breath. You pay attention to how you breathe, and you slow it down on purpose.
• Body. You notice where you hold tension. Many people hold it in the jaw, shoulders or stomach.
• Staying a little longer. In a slow pose you notice the urge to get out of it, and you breathe instead. That’s a nice small rehearsal for a hard conversation.
• Pause. You get an hour without a screen, so your head isn’t racing toward the next thing.

Mindfulness at yum means this simple thing: be here, notice what’s happening, and don’t judge it too much. You don’t have to believe in anything. Come as you are.

Which classes fit?

• yum on earth (60–75 min): slow and grounding, inspired by yin, restorative yoga and meditation. All levels. Good for noticing.
• yum retreat (30–90 min): mindfulness practices, gentle movement, deep breathing, grounding, meditation, yoga nidra and sound. All levels.
• yum at sea (60–75 min): a set sequence that’s the same every time. After a few weeks you may stop thinking about what’s next and start noticing yourself. All levels.
• yum in the sky (60–75 min): a slow flow with movement from hatha and vinyasa, for intermediate and more experienced yogis.

Not sure where to start? Begin with yum on earth or yum retreat. See all the class descriptions and the schedule.

A simple week

Not a transformation, just something you can keep:

1. One slow class: yum on earth, to practise noticing.
2. One yum retreat: to land after a long week.
3. One more active class: yum at sea, to notice yourself while you move.

If you only do one, do the first. A habit you keep beats a plan you don’t.

A 3-minute pause before a hard conversation

Only do what feels good.

1. Stand or sit, feet on the floor. Let your shoulders drop.
2. Breathe out slowly a couple of times. Make the out-breath a bit longer than the in-breath.
3. Name it, quietly. What am I feeling? Irritated, worried, tired? One word is enough.
4. Ask yourself: what do I want from this conversation?
5. Walk in. You can still say what you planned. You’ll just say it with a little more space.

What yoga isn’t

Yoga isn’t a leadership programme, and it doesn’t replace coaching or therapy. If something is weighing on you for weeks, talk to your doctor or another professional. Yoga is a good habit that sits next to that, not instead of it.

How do you start at yum?

Start with yum intro: 30 days of unlimited yoga for DKK 399 (DKK 359 under 30). It continues as a membership at DKK 799 a month (DKK 729 under 30) unless you cancel before the 30 days end. No commitment. See how much does yoga cost in Copenhagen?.

yum is at Alliancevej 22, 2450 Copenhagen SV, on the water in Sydhavnen. We’ve been in Sluseholmen for about eight years. All classes are in English, with 18 people at most, and there’s a free refreshment after every class. Questions? Write to yoga@yum.dk.

Frequently asked questions

Does yoga improve emotional intelligence?

We don’t promise that. Yoga is a way to practise noticing your breath, your body and your reactions, which many people find useful. It isn’t a leadership course or a treatment.

What is the difference between mindfulness and yoga?

Mindfulness is paying attention to what’s happening right now without judging it. Yoga uses movement and breathing, and often includes some mindfulness. At yum, yum retreat includes mindfulness practices, meditation and yoga nidra.

Do I need to meditate or believe in anything?

No. Come as you are. You can take a class and just move and breathe.

Which class should I start with?

yum on earth or yum retreat. Both are for all levels and are calm.

Is yum a leadership course?

No. yum is a yoga studio and café. We have classes you can attend every week, but no leadership training or certificate.

Are the classes in English?

Yes. All classes at yum are taught in English, with 18 people at most.

Read also

• Yoga for executives in Copenhagen: an hour that’s just yours
• Stress management with yoga in Copenhagen: what helps and what doesn’t
• English-speaking yoga studio in Copenhagen: yum in Sydhavnen
• Yoga after work in Sydhavnen: from desk to mat
• Sustainable wellbeing for leaders: habits that last