Unshaming: My Journey of Self-Discovery by Martyna Szczabel

Martyna Szczabel As I prepare for an upcoming retreat season in Suncokret on the beautiful island of Hvar in Croatia, I feel deeply compelled to reflect on what has been at the core of my journey recently: unshaming. It’s a concept that has guided me, especially in the past few months, as I packed my life into a backpack and set off on an adventure across Southeast Asia, then returned to India. A book that’s been my constant companion during this time is The Unshaming Way  by the incredible psychologist and Buddhist teacher, David Bedrick. His words have led me to profound discoveries - not only about life but also about my travels, myself, and the way I want to live. Although I’m still young, sometimes it feels like it’s “too late” to only now be learning to live life authentically, in alignment with what I truly desire. But I know this is a journey, and as I gain more clarity, I see doors opening and closing in equal measure. Along the way, I meet people, visit places, and engage in practices that either resonate deeply with me or not at all. And through it all, I’m learning that no experience is truly an “error” because each moment is a step in uncovering who I am, unashamed and unapologetic. One of the key aspects of this journey has been yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga since 2015, and over the years, I’ve had the privilege of becoming a teacher and therapist, guiding others on their own paths of healing and self-discovery. Yoga is a universal practice, though its expression can vary widely between cultures and teachers. The deeper I travel east, the more I’ve fallen in love with Yoga and meditation. This conviction only grew stronger during yet another Vipassana retreat in Indonesia. I’ve been fortunate to learn from some incredible teachers in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and, of course, India, where my heart is truly at home. In India, I met a spiritual partner, and together, we dream of building a home. But the travels have also taught me something crucial: I am my home. Yoga, for me, is a way to return home to myself. It doesn’t matter if I’m volunteering on a floor in Cambodia, staying in a luxurious Balinese villa, or sharing a family house in India. I always feel at home when I come back to my practice. Martyna Szczabel Unshaming has shown up in my life in small and profound ways. On a simple level, I used to feel embarrassed when my body couldn’t move into certain postures as “gracefully” as others. I’ve learned to release that self-judgment and instead marvel at my body’s wisdom and strength. A deeper realization came during a conversation with my family members when I expressed my unconventional life choices without fear of disappointing them. For the first time, I truly felt the weight of external expectations lift off my shoulders. But perhaps the most transformative unshaming experience was recognizing my own worthiness of love - not for what I achieve or how I conform, but simply for being me. This awareness has empowered me to embrace relationships, work, and life with more joy and authenticity. Yoga is where I find myself in the present moment, without judgment or projections. It is my shelter. David Bedrick’s book has helped me reflect on what is truly mine and what has been subconsciously shaped by cultural norms or external expectations. I’m learning that the life I want to live —one of exploration, experimentation, and love - may not be conventional, but it is uniquely my life. And that’s what excites me most. Life, for me, is a never-ending learning journey, and I feel incredibly privileged to share it with others. That’s why I’m so excited to share my yogic journey at Suncokret this season, where I’ll be guiding others in how the East and West can come together in practices like asana (movement), pranayama (breath), meditation, self-study, and philosophy. Yoga is my entire life in all its aspects. It’s an ever-evolving, humbling way of being. It’s about learning and unlearning, shedding what no longer serves me, and sharing this process with others. I am truly thrilled that we’ll soon be able to spend time together, exploring all these practices and learning from each other with open hearts and souls. See you on Hvar! Martyna will be co-hosting our Rest & Renew events this May and will return again in August for two back-to-back Balance & Bliss events. See our calendar for details. To learn more about Martyna, check out our interview with her and follow her on Instagram.