Meet Marina Mukandala

We recently connected with Marina Mukandala and have shared our conversation below.

Marina , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I overcame imposter syndrome when I started practicing yoga in my early twenties and became more aware of my thought patterns through the practice. Over time, I began to ask myself whether any actual facts supported the limiting beliefs I had about myself. I then started looking for pieces of evidence to counter them.

I also began seeing a counselor and found strength in my faith. Through counseling and my faith, I learned that life doesn’t require perfection. True perfection is essentially impossible, so failing to achieve it doesn’t make you a fraud.

Offering myself kindness, grace, and compassion—instead of judgment and self-doubt—helped me keep a realistic perspective and motivated me to pursue healthy self-growth, without aiming for perfection or trying to please others.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I, Marina Mukandala, am the President and CEO of L.I.F.E. with Marina. I am an entrepreneur, leader, master yoga teacher, and motivational speaker.

From March 2012 to August 2020, I owned, managed, and operated a successful yoga studio, Mind Body Flow Yoga, Inc., in East Amherst, New York, where I touched countless lives through teaching, mentoring, coaching, and empowering.

In November of 2020, I began a new chapter in my her life and established L.I.F.E. (Living Inspired, Fit & Empowered) with Marina, a full-service company providing an array of offerings to serve the mind, body, and spirit.

I have a passion for helping others and believe that each and every one of us was put on this earth with a gift to share with the world.

I believe that living a life that’s filled with joy, peace, and happiness is everyone’s birthright. I know first-hand that life isn’t easy and that having tools to help us experience joy, peace, and happiness is essential. One of these tools that I am extremely passionate about is yoga.

I have extensive training from Baron Baptiste. I have a power yoga DVD, and have had the utmost honor of training and certifying aspiring yoga teachers.

I have a strong faith in God and affirm that I wouldn’t have gotten through the hardest times in my life if it weren’t for my faith and the grace of God.

I believe that life is an incredible adventure with endless possibilities.

Through L.I.F.E. with Marina, clients will find peace, relaxation, and a deeper connection with themselves. They will learn to tap into their ability to experience daily joy and show up powerfully in life.

I am committed to touching lives through the powerful practice of yoga and its life-changing tools.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities I think were most impactful in my journey are learning to stay in my lane and not compare myself to anyone, accepting that there is no such thing as perfection, and staying true to listening to the voice of God, versus aiming to please others.

Advice that I have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop these is:

1) To remember that comparing yourself to others, robs you of peace and joy.

2) To aim for excellence, not the illusion that is perfectionism.

3) Pray and then listen.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a pause. In this moment I ask myself why I’m feeling this way and consider what I can change.

My advice to others is to do the same. Take a break and take an honest look at what’s causing these feelings. Then, figure out what tools you can access to help you feel better.

For me, sometimes it’s as simple as allowing myself to rest. This might mean taking a nap, going for a walk, talking with a close friend, praying, listening to an uplifting song, or giving myself the permission to release some things from my plate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lifewithmarina.com
• Instagram: @lifewithmarinayoga

Image Credits

Emmett A Vinson Jr
LxWVisuals
(headshot, side crow, & leapfrog images)