Yoga – The Art of Coming Home to Yourself

When I started teaching yoga 14 years ago, self-connection was one of the main pillars of my teaching, and over the years, this understanding has only deepened. I’ve recognized that yoga is far more than movement - it is a doorway into discovering a connection with oneself that stays hidden from so many people their entire lives.

Yoga has opened up a whole new world to me. Not the external world, but the world inside of me. I remember a pivotal moment years ago, sitting in stillness after a class, feeling something I hadn't felt before: a quiet but profound awareness of my own inner world. It was as if yoga had unlocked a part of me I never knew existed. This practice didn’t just change my body; it changed the way I related to myself and the world around me. That’s why I named my work The Inward Movement - because the true transformation begins within.

The Modern Disconnection

But in today’s world, turning inward isn’t always easy.

Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned physician and author, speaks about how modern society fosters disconnection - not just from others, but from ourselves. Many of us have been taught to ignore our inner signals, to push through exhaustion, to numb discomfort. Instead of feeling, we distract. Instead of listening, we suppress.

"Disconnection in all its guises - alienation, loneliness, loss of meaning, and dislocation - is becoming our culture's most plentiful product." - Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture 

This disconnection manifests in many ways:

• Feeling overwhelmed but not knowing why

• Numbing emotions with food, screens, or overworking

• Ignoring our body’s signals of stress or depletion

• Seeking external validation instead of trusting our own inner knowing

But the truth is, we cannot experience true connection with others until we reconnect with ourselves first.

Why Self-Connection Feels Scary at First

For many of us, turning inward can feel uncomfortable - even intimidating. It can feel like sitting in a silent room with a stranger - except that stranger is yourself. Many people, when they first slow down, experience restlessness, anxiety, or even resistance. We’re so used to doing that, simply being feels unnatural.

But here’s the paradox: healing doesn’t come from avoiding discomfort; it comes from meeting ourselves in it.

Dr. Maté explains:

"Work pressures, multitasking, social media, news updates, multiplicities of entertainment sources - these all induce us to become lost in thoughts, frantic activities, gadgets, meaningless conversations." - Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture 

When we finally stop running and turn toward ourselves with compassion, we begin to hear what our body, mind, and soul have been trying to tell us all along.

How Yoga Guides Us Back Home

Yoga and breathwork help us shift our attention inward. Through movement, breath, and stillness, we learn to notice:

• How our breath changes with our emotions

• The subtle tension we hold in our bodies

• The thoughts and patterns that pull us away from presence

This is the real practice, not just touching our toes, but touching our truth.

And from this place of connection, everything shifts. We start to move toward what is healthy for us - mentally, physically, and emotionally. We begin to trust our intuition. We make choices that align with our deepest desires. We feel empowered to create the life we truly want.

A Practice to Reconnect with Yourself

Try this simple practice to bring awareness back to your inner world:

1. Find a quiet place to sit or lie down. Close your eyes and take a slow breath in through your nose, sighing it out through your mouth. Feel the tension melt from your shoulders.

2. Bring one hand to your heart and one to your belly. Notice the warmth of your palm against your skin. Feel the natural movement of your breath beneath your hands.

3. Notice what arises. Without judgment, observe any sensations, thoughts, or emotions present. Imagine each inhale bringing in clarity and each exhale releasing tension.

4. Slow your breath. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6. With each breath, let yourself soften. Imagine your body settling into a deep state of ease.

5. Hold gratitude for yourself. Acknowledge that in this moment, you are fully present with yourself. Whisper a gentle thank you to yourself, knowing that this small act of connection is already shifting something within you.

   
   

This is the Work I Guide You Through

Yoga is not about escaping life, it is about becoming more present in it. When we connect deeply with ourselves, everything shifts. We begin to hear our inner voice. We make choices that align with our truth. We move through life with greater ease and awareness.

And if you're ready to go even deeper...

My Reflect & Manifest course is designed for exactly this - helping you reconnect, reflect, and set powerful intentions for the life you truly want. For only $37, you’ll get a guided practice to tune into your inner wisdom and align with your next steps.

Before you go back to your day, take a moment to reflect: When was the last time you truly listened to yourself? If you paused right now and asked yourself, ‘What do I need most today?’ - what would the answer be? Sit with that for a moment. Your inner world is always speaking. The question is: Are you listening?

With love,

Barbora

References & Further Reading

• Maté, Gabor. The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. Avery, 2022. Read More

• Gabor Maté on How Modern Life Can Make Us Feel AlienatedWatch on Facebook

• Gabor Maté’s Heartfelt Critique of Modern Life Read on Medium