At SereniPose, we believe that every journey tells a story of strength, grace, and transformation. Joana Machado’s path is one of courage and deep self-discovery. It’s a reminder that yoga is not just about movement, but about living with intention. Her story resonates with anyone who has ever balanced dreams with responsibilities, and it beautifully reflects how yoga can reconnect body, mind, and spirit.
Discovering the Path of Yoga
Since childhood, I felt deeply connected to spirituality, rooted in feeling and experiencing something bigger than myself. That inner calling guided me into the world of healing, and when I went to college, it was no surprise that I chose to study Naturology, a course dedicated to integrative therapies. That is also when yoga first entered my life. I discovered Ashtanga Yoga, and from my very first practice, something within me aligned. I never stopped.
Balancing Career and Calling
For me, yoga quickly became a sacred space to unite body, mind, and spirit. In our modern world, these parts often run on different tracks. We think one way, feel another, and act in yet another direction. Yoga gave me a place to stretch, breathe consciously, and return to the present moment. But life is not a straight path. Financial needs required me to work in traditional companies, even before finishing my studies. For six years, I built a career in business, even completing a degree in Business Administration. Yet, self awareness, spiritual practices, and yoga remained my anchor, always guiding me back to what mattered most—the expansion of consciousness.
Choosing Consciousness Over Comfort
At one point, I asked myself a powerful question: If I know my purpose is to help people care for their minds and emotions, why am I waiting? The more time I spent in hesitation, the more precious time I lost. So, I took the leap. I pursued postgraduate studies in Transpersonal Psychology, a holistic branch of psychology, and deepened my practice through courses such as ThetaHealing, Reiki, Bach Flowers, Holistic Coaching, and Astrology. In 2018, just three months after leaving my corporate job, I transitioned fully into my dream role—working as a therapist.
Expanding Through Training and Teaching
Yoga, which had supported me quietly for years, began to take on an even greater role. In 2024, I completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, expanding my love for this practice into a tool I could share with others. Today, I integrate yoga with my work in mental and energetic therapies, guiding people toward balance, healing, and connection. When I flow through poses like *Chandra Namaskar* or find grounding in *Malasana*, I am reminded of the presence and peace that yoga offers. It is not only about exercise or flexibility—it is about presence, awareness, and living with intention.
How to Incorporate This Into Your Daily Flow
Start small. Even ten minutes of conscious breathing or a simple posture like *Tadasana* (Mountain Pose) can shift your day. Find a quiet corner, roll out your mat, and give yourself permission to pause. Yoga is not about perfection—it’s about connection. Allow yourself to notice how your mind, body, and spirit come back into alignment when you give yourself space to simply be.
My hope is that my journey inspires you to explore yoga as a path of transformation, to reconnect body, mind, and spirit, and to find harmony in your own unique way. Wherever you are, remember that presence is power and self love is the foundation for growth.
— Written by Joana Machado, SereniPose Model and Contributor
