Nourish to Practice: Yoga, Recovery, and Listening to Your Body
This conversation traces what happens when yoga is not just a class but a way of living. Harmony speaks with nutritionist and longtime Ashtanga practitioner Karolina Zakrzewska about two decades in India, managing Purple Valley in Goa, opening the Tenerife sister center, and how dedication to practice intersected with her recovery from disordered eating. They explore the “fire” that fuels Ashtanga, the risk of letting that fire consume us, and practical, compassionate ways to nourish body, mind, and spirit through seasons of change, including perimenopause and midlife.
What We Cover- Finding yoga in India and studying closely with Rolf Naujokat
- What Purple Valley means to the Ashtanga community and how Tenerife came to be
- The helpful and harmful sides of “too much fire” in practice
- Karolina’s personal story with anorexia and bulimia, and why radical honesty is a turning point in healing
- How yoga can replace, or heal, other addictions depending on mindset
- Working with “trigger foods,” fear foods, and mindful eating without moralizing food
- Why vegetarian or vegan patterns can be fraught for some teens, and how parents can keep an eye out
- Midlife shifts: protein, gut health, nervous system regulation, and sustainable routines
- The spiritual dimension of nourishment and why “your body is a portal”
Karolina Zakrzewska is a nutritionist specializing in dysfunctional eating and eating disorders. A longtime Ashtanga practitioner, she managed Purple Valley in Goa for many years and helped launch its partner retreat in Tenerife. Karolina works with individuals and yoga teacher trainings to build compassionate awareness around food, body image, and sustainable practice.
Resources & Links Mentioned (from the episode)Purple Valley Tenerife Workshops
3 January to 10 January 2026
https://yogagoa.com/clearing-the-path-purpose-practice-presence/
10 January to 17 January 2026
https://yogagoa.com/embodying-your-practice-from-intention-to-transformation/
- Karolina’s website: https://www.karolinanutrition.com
- Karolina on Instagram: https://instagram.com/karolinakatzakrzewska
- Purple Valley (Goa: https://yogagoa.com/
If any link above needs a specific URL on publish, drop it in and I’ll slot it cleanly into the notes.
Call to Action- Reserve your spot for Harmony’s January Tenerife retreats. DM Harmony at @harmonyslaterofficial for the booking link and details.
- If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who practices.
To explore nutrition support around disordered eating or mindful nourishment, reach out to Karolina via her website or email.
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00:00 - Introduction to Finding Harmony Podcast
03:38 - Meet Carolina: A Journey Across Continents
04:08 - Discovering Yoga in India
06:56 - The Ashtanga Practice Begins
10:46 - Meeting Rolf and Deepening the Practice
13:39 - Joining Purple Valley
15:10 - Challenges and Growth at Purple Valley
22:23 - Expanding to Tenerife
30:27 - Reflections on Teaching and Learning
32:08 - The Evolution of Ashtanga Practice
32:57 - The Importance of Personal Practice
33:42 - Favorite Teachers and Their Unique Contributions
37:07 - A Personal Journey with Eating Disorders
40:57 - Healing and Nutrition
53:54 - Working with Clients on Eating Disorders
01:05:57 - Upcoming Retreats and Final Thoughts
