About me
I’m Yana — the heart behind Compassion Lab, a space for transformation, connection, and growth through presence.
My story
I was born in Belarus, in a family that taught me how to survive, but not how to thrive. Growing up in an environment marked by domestic violence and emotional suppression, I didn’t have a safe space. So I learned to become one — first for myself, and eventually for others.
I’ve always been drawn to languages and cultures, living in seven countries and learning six languages along the way. But the most important language I’ve learned is the one of empathy, honesty, and self-connection — the language of compassion.
Finding my truth
From burnout to belonging
For seven years, I worked in the marketing department at big IT companies. On the surface, I was successful. Inside, I was burning out — chasing approval and trying to prove my worth to the world (and my dad).
After hitting a personal low, I left everything: my job, my city, my comfort zone. I began a deep inner journey through meditation, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Human Design, and Integral Theory.
I remember attending my first NVC workshop and crying for three hours straight afterwards. That day marked a turning point. I realized how far I’d drifted from my truth, and how urgently I wanted to return to it.
Creating Space
What i do now
I live in Madeira, where I create spaces for people to meet themselves and each other — honestly, gently, and with depth. My work includes:
- Nonviolent Communication workshops
- Authentic Relating games
- Online NVC practice groups
- 1:1 sessions for integration and clarity
- Co-facilitating an embodied theatre group
- Annual retreats with the Integral Zen community in Poland
My role isn’t to “fix” you, but to create the conditions for something more whole to emerge.
Why i do this work
I know what it’s like to feel voiceless, invisible, and disconnected — and I know the profound joy of finding your way back.
I don’t offer quick fixes or easy answers. I offer presence, curiosity, and a safe, nonjudgmental space to rediscover who you are beneath the roles, expectations, and old survival strategies.
Integral thinking, embodied practice
I’m deeply inspired by Ken Wilber’s Integral Model, which shapes how I see growth — not as a linear path, but as a process of including and transcending the past.
I bring clarity and compassion by working with the whole person—mind, heart, body, relationships, and spirit—without rushing or oversimplifying what you’re going through.
My practices & teachers
My path is formed by a blend of wisdom traditions, spiritual inquiry, and modern psychological tools: Buddhism (Zen and Mahamudra), Nonviolent Communication, Human Design, Integral Theory.
I’ve been shaped by teachers such as Doshin Nelson Roshi, Karuna Ram, Phil Jourdan, Dustin DiPerna, Tsultrim Allione, Art Tarbi & Kaisa Tokoi, and others who offered profound guidance when I needed it most.
My message to you
The habits and stories that once kept you safe might now be keeping you small. The good news is: you don’t need to abandon any part of yourself to evolve. You can learn to include it all — with care, clarity, and a little bit of courage.
And that? That’s what changes everything.