The way you listen to yourself and how you perceive and treat yourself shape the way you interact with others and how you navigate life itself.
Listening to yourself first creates a stronger, more loving relationship with yourself, resulting in a profound impact on every area of your life.
When you begin to listen to yourself, you see yourself as a whole — both your physical body and your subtle body — you start to realize just how interconnected everything is.
These parts of us are not separate.
They influence and reflect each other constantly. Learning to care for both brings greater harmony into our daily lives.
So, what is the subtle body?
The subtle body refers to the part of you that isn’t made of matter — the inner landscape of thoughts, emotions, feelings, sensations, and so much more.
Often overlooked in our fast-paced world, this inner realm holds profound wisdom and influence. Once you begin to listen to yourself and acknowledge these more subtle layers of yourself, change starts to happen gently, naturally, from within.
We all have the sensitivity to notice and feel this inner world.
All it takes is the willingness to slow down and turn inward.
Little by little, you get more familiar with what’s happening inside and learn to navigate it with more confidence and compassion
Because when you listen to yourself and shift on the inside, life responds, and everything outside changes too. Your relationships evolve, your choices become more aligned with what you truly want, and life begins to feel lighter, more expansive and meaningful.
Where do I start?
There are many tools and techniques to help you listen to yourself and connect with your inner self. I believe Yoga to be a great door in.
Contrary to what we often see, yoga is not tied to the mat. For the most part, it happens off the mat!
The heart of yoga lies in our day-to-day behaviour: our perception, our attitude, how we face every situation, how we choose to act.
Yoga is the practice of being in right relationship with yourself.
It’s about being present with your thoughts and emotions, without being ruled by them. It’s a return to self-leadership, where you respond rather than react and make choices that reflect your integrity.
The word yoga means union— a coming together of body, mind, heart, and spirit. This ancient system offers powerful tools to integrate and align all aspects of ourselves, and helps us return to a grounded, clear, and connected way of being.
The word yoga means union – a coming together of body, mind, heart and spirit.
On the Mat: A Bridge Between Worlds
On the mat, through physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation, we cultivate both body awareness and inner awareness. These practices become a bridge between the physical and subtle realms.
Here’s a simple breathing practice you can try today to calm the mind and nervous system and listen to yourself. You can try this at any time, especially before bed to help unwind.
Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
Bring your attention to your breath without interfering.
Begin to count the length of your inhale and exhale — start with 3 seconds in, 3 seconds out.
When that feels steady, begin to extend the exhale: inhale for 3, exhale for 4… then 5… eventually working up to a 3/6 rhythm.
Keep your attention on the sensation of air moving in and out of your nose.
If your mind wanders, gently bring it back (no judgment!).
Continue for 3–5 minutes, then pause and observe any changes: thought patterns, emotions rising, physical sensations.
Countless practices can help us turn inward, quiet the overactive mind, and navigate intense emotions with more ease.
What fascinates me most is the interconnectedness of it all: when you focus on your breath, your mind responds. When you move your body, your breath changes. When you sit in stillness, your entire inner world reorganizes itself.
It’s an endlessly rich territory for exploration.
Dive In and Listen to yourself
With consistent practice, you begin to come home to yourself.
You develop a deeper ability to listen inwardly, to trust your rhythm, and to live more fully.
We all carry an inner compass — a quiet, wise voice that always knows the way.
And only you can access yours.
So, give yourself permission to slow down and listen to yourself.
Turn inward.
Because everything starts there.
And the relationship you build with yourself will shape everything else.
If you’d like more guidance and support on that journey, below are the links where you can contact me.
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Nathalie is a certified yoga teacher and intuitive healing facilitator. In person or online she offers yoga classes and energy healing sessions for both individuals and groups, creating spaces that support inner balance and connection.
Guided by a deep passion for wellbeing, her work is centered around sharing tools that empower others on their healing journey.
Website: nathaliegrounds.com
Instagram: @ nathalie.grounds
