Coming Full Circle with Martyna Szczabel
- Evening Marie
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
In spring 2024, I was contacted by a former retreat student, Martyna Szczabel, who had attended a Balance & Bliss event with us two years prior. I distinctly remembered Martyna as she had traveled on retreat with her mom, and the two of them were blossoming brighter each day of the retreat and a deep bond was formed between us.
Since attending the retreat, Martyna told me she had decided to quit her job as a lawyer and dedicate herself to yoga.
She had become a certified Hatha and Ashtanga Advanced Yoga Teacher and was in the process of becoming a Yoga Therapist. She told me she was looking for a special place where she could share her knowledge, and what better place to do so than at Suncokret, the retreat that helped her realize that living and sharing yoga with others was her true calling.
I asked Martyna to share her story with our readers, so that they would have the opportunity to learn more about her and her amazing journey.
Evening: Tell us a little about yourself; what else do you do besides teach yoga?
Martyna: I love traveling! It’s the lifestyle I’ve always dreamed of - being able to travel and work at the same time. Traveling helps me discover more about myself, explore different cultures, and gain new perspectives. I also have a deep passion for photography. Since I was a little girl, I would carry around cameras (not mine at the time!) to document everything around me.
Today, I continue this love by capturing moments during my travels. And last but not least, I absolutely love reading. You will always find me with a book or a Kindle nearby, just as close as my phone!
Evening: How did you get into yoga?
Martyna: My mom took me to my first yoga class when I was 12. I had no idea what was happening. I was a bit bored, yet deep down, I felt the benefits of the practice. A few years later, when I was 17, I traveled to Sri Lanka, where I got a deeper glimpse into the roots of yoga. Now, at almost 26, I have been deepening my practice and understanding of yoga for about 9 years.
A significant turning point came in 2021, when I joined a Suncokret Retreat. Evening’s
teachings were incredibly inspiring and marked a major milestone in my yoga journey.
Evening: What was your best class teaching / group event experience?
Martyna: I particularly enjoy teaching during retreats because I get the chance to truly connect with participants beyond the yoga mat. It’s a completely different experience compared to a short studio class. All the retreats I’ve taught at Suncokret have been some of my favorite group experiences. Evening always gathers the most beautiful groups of yogis, and each retreat turns out to be magical.
Evening: What do you hope guests will gain by attending your event at Suncokret? (How do you hope to enhance the retreat experience with your particular offerings?)
Martyna: I hope that every participant will come with an open mind and heart, and allow themselves to receive exactly what they need from the practices. I wish for them to find rest, reconnect with nature, and simply let the experience unfold naturally.
Evening: Why would attending your particular event be beneficial to the participants who join?
Martyna: I make sure that every yoga practice and offering is accessible to all. I adapt each session to meet the needs of the participants, so everyone can find something valuable for themselves. I weave together ancient Eastern practices with modern Western techniques to best support our guests.
Evening: What are your plans for the future?
To continue learning, teaching, and nurturing a peaceful mind and an open heart.
Evening: Thank you for sharing your story with our readers, Martyna. We're excited to share more retreat experiences with you in 2025!
If you would like to learn more about Martyna, you can check out her most recent blog post on "Unshaming" and follow her on Instagram.
You can experience yoga with Martyna during our Rest & Renew events this May and during two summer Balance & Bliss events from 2 - 8 August and 10-16 August. See our calendar for details.
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