Ep #198: Hypnotherapy, Yoga, and the Art of Letting Go of Who You're Not with Laila El iDrissi

One bad morning. A package, a canceled massage, and a spiral — here's what it taught.This short solo episode is a real, unfiltered snapshot of a difficult morning — a disappointing delivery, a canceled plan, and the subtle but familiar feeling of a day already going sideways before it even starts. Rather than glossing over it, the episode sits with it honestly: why do small frustrations hit so hard? Why does negativity stick when positivity slips away? Drawing on a lesson from Vipassana meditation — that humans are the creators of their own suffering — the episode explores how our expectations and desires quietly run the show. It's a gentle but honest reminder that not every day needs to feel like your best, that emotions move in waves, and that coming back to love, breath, and the present moment is always available — even on the hard ones. Short, human, and quietly powerful.Episode Chapters:00:00:29 Introduction00:01:09 The Morning It All Went Wrong00:03:44 We Are the Creators of Our Own Suffering00:04:36 Expectations, Desires, and Where Pain Comes From00:05:33 Not Every Day Needs to Be Your Best00:06:36 How to Keep Moving Forward Anyway00:07:51 Being Witnessed — And Why It Helps00:08:15 Coming Back to Breath, Body, and Earth----------Mentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Practices referenced:Vipassana meditation (10-day silent retreat — completed by Christina a few months prior)Breathwork and grounding as a reset toolConcepts explored:Buddhist principle: humans as creators of their own sufferingThe role of desire and expectation in emotional sufferingThe power of being witnessed as a grounding tool----------Tags: solo episode, personal story, grounding, root chakra, home, self-awareness, suffering, Vipassana, meditation, expectations, disappointment, mindfulness, emotional regulation, nervous system, yoga philosophy, presence, breath, inner work, mental wellness, real talk, motivation, acceptance, daily practice

She quit architecture, burned everything down, and found herself — through yoga and the subconscious mind.Laila El Idrissi grew up in Morocco, discovered yoga at 17 through YouTube videos, and within weeks was teaching her high school classmates. What began as curiosity grew into a calling that eventually pulled her away from a career in architecture and led her to Bali, where she now teaches full time. But the real turning point wasn't a teacher training — it was a burnout that stripped everything away: the job, the relationship, the life she thought she wanted. Through hypnotherapy and yoga, Laila began clearing the beliefs and stories keeping her stuck, learning to return to her authentic essence rather than chasing what she thought she should want. She trained at an ashram in Rishikesh, studied with teachers Byron, Talia Sutra, and Thai Landrum, and developed a style she describes as grounded, intentional, and a little challenging. She also recently qualified as a hypnotherapist. Her goal in every class is simple: help people feel a sense of belonging and inherent self-worth — no matter where they are in their practice.----------Episode Chapters:00:00:29 Introduction00:01:06 Laila's Background and Journey to Bali00:02:17 First Experience with Yoga00:05:00 Teacher Training and the Road to Bali00:07:28 Studying with Inner Dimension and Key Teachers00:09:31 Influential Teachers: Byron, Talia Sutra, Thai Landrum00:16:13 Teaching Style: Grounded, Intentional, Challenging00:18:04 Favourite Pose and What Laila Brings to the Studio00:20:00 What Students Feel Walking Out of Class00:24:03 Hypnotherapy: The Practice That Changed Everything00:26:38 The Burnout That Stripped Everything Away00:28:58 Letter to Her 16-Year-Old Self00:29:55 How to Connect with Laila----------Mentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Laila El iDrissi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lailaelidrissi_/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/----------Teachers referenced:Yoga with Adriene (YouTube)Kino MacGregorPattabhi JoisByron (Inner Dimension TV)Travis (Inner Dimension TV)Paul (Inner Dimension TV)Talia Sutra (Ghosh/Ashtanga lineage)Thai Landrum — course on Energetics of SequencingSchools / Centres:Heal Center, Canggu, Bali (hypnotherapy training with Steph)East-West (Laila's 200hr teacher training, Bali)Practice / Method mentioned:TBM (To Be Magnetic)Upcoming:Retreat — October, Morocco, oceanside. 6 days. Yoga + hypnotherapy.----------Tags: yoga, yoga teacher, hypnotherapy, subconscious mind, personal transformation, burnout recovery, Morocco, Bali, yoga philosophy, teacher training, Rishikesh, ashram, manifestation, self-worth, authentic living, yoga sequencing, energetics, career change, mindset, inner work, healing, yoga journey, belonging, yoga community, intentional living

What if “home” is not a place, but a feeling your body can learn again?This episode is a deep, unscripted conversation about what it really means to feel at home — not the place you live, but the feeling of being safe, grounded, and fully yourself. Drawing on the energy of the root chakra, the discussion explores why so many people feel disconnected from their foundations — and what it actually takes to come back. From the nervous system and ancestral fear patterns to the surprising power of eye contact, nature, and silence, the conversation is honest, playful, and thought-provoking. It asks the questions most people never stop long enough to ask themselves: Where do I feel safe? What am I afraid of? Do I have enough — and what does enough even mean? If you've ever felt unmoored, ungrounded, or like you're living someone else's version of home, this one's for you.----------Episode Chapters:00:00:29 Introduction00:01:56 What Does Home Actually Mean?00:03:18 Belonging — The Etymology and the Feeling00:06:27 Basic Needs, the Nervous System, and Why We Feel Unsafe00:07:51 Root Chakra, Fear, and the Urge to Control00:10:55 Why We're All a Little Bit Broken — And That's Okay00:17:51 How Do We Become Whole Again?00:19:30 What Is Grounding, Really?00:21:20 Nature as a Nervous System Reset00:26:54 People as a Grounding Force — Eye Gazing and Human Connection00:31:05 The Most Important Questions to Ask Yourself00:34:03 Stillness, Silence, and Slowing Down00:35:55 Speed Up to Slow Down — The Case for Doing Both00:38:37 Directing Awareness and Giving to the Earth00:39:13 A Bird, a Meditation, and a Full Circle Moment----------Mentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Byron de Marsé’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Practices referenced:Kapalabhati (Breath of Fire)Eye gazing (witnessing practice)Meditation and movement for nervous system regulationEarthing / grounding devices (mentioned briefly)Yoga poses mentioned:Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose) — noted as one of Byron's top three posesConcepts explored:Root Chakra (Muladhara) and its development from womb to one year oldGenerational / ancestral fear patternsScarcity vs. abundance inventory exercise"Speed up to slow down" nervous system technique----------Tags: root chakra, grounding, home, safety, nervous system, fear, belonging, yoga philosophy, chakras, ancestral trauma, inner work, trust, abundance, scarcity, mindfulness, breathwork, nature connection, presence, stillness, self-inquiry, meditation, yoga, personal growth, community, mental wellness

He spent 24 years teaching teenagers how to move, but it was learning how to breathe that changed his life.In this episode, Dirk Hamelijnck shares why he left the familiar structure of the Dutch school system and what brought him to Bali. He talks about the turning point that pushed him onto a new path, the intense practices that first opened the door, and why he now cares more about nuance than hype in breathwork.You will hear how he approaches breathwork with three clear values, why “safe space” is not just a nice phrase, and what most people misunderstand about breathwork before they ever try it. If you are curious about breath as a tool for grounding, learning, and real change, this conversation will make you want to listen all the way through.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Opening request00:00:29 Welcome and guest intro00:01:29 Roots and family00:01:59 Leaving the Dutch school system00:03:15 Joy of learning again00:03:42 Outdoor instructor beginnings00:04:48 First steps into yoga and breath00:05:30 Discovering Wim Hof00:06:22 Training experience and cold exposure00:09:11 Why breathwork needs nuance00:09:50 From personal practice to teaching00:11:14 Breathwork with high school students00:12:20 Influential teacher figures00:13:31 Three words for his teaching style00:19:25 What he brings to classes00:21:03 What breathwork really is00:23:23 Connecting breath and yoga00:27:00 What he hopes people leave with00:28:22 What he is refining now00:29:46 Gratitude and closingMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Dirk Hamelijnck’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirkhamelijnck/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Wim HofCaspar van der MeulenTags: The In Movement, breathwork, nervous system, safety, somatic awareness, embodiment, pranayama, mindfulness, education, cold exposure, Wim Hof method, personal growth, healing, Bali

What if the biggest change in your yoga practice is not a new pose, but a new kind of attention?In this episode, Michael Henri shares how he blends precise body knowledge with something harder to measure: the subtle “energy” of a room. He talks about why awareness and breath can change everything, how a simple favorite pose reveals hidden needs, and what kind of class culture he wants to create in Ubud. Expect practical insights, honest reflections, and a few unexpected rules that might challenge how you usually show up on the mat.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Opening message00:00:53 Grounding breath00:12:43 Awareness and breath patterns00:21:25 Community as a “playground”00:23:17 Favorite poses: Triangle and Puppy Dog00:26:44 Becoming a student of energy00:28:49 Teaching phrases and class language00:31:45 Anatomy facts in practice00:33:01 Rules and boundaries in class00:34:10 No phone zone00:36:10 ClosingMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Byron’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Tags: The In Movement, breathwork, self awareness, yoga teaching, physiotherapy, anatomy, subtle body, energy awareness, class culture, mindfulness, embodiment, community, boundaries

She walked into a yoga class and something unexpected happened, the kind of moment that quietly changes the direction of your life.In this episode, Kimberley Utama shares the personal journey that led her from feeling pulled between identities to building a life rooted in practice, presence, and purpose. She speaks about what drew her to Bali, what surprised her most once she arrived, and how her relationship with yoga shifted from “something to do” into something she could not ignore. Along the way, she reflects on the inner work that happens behind the scenes of becoming a teacher, the parts of the path that are rarely talked about, and why she is now leaning toward quieter, subtler practices that feel deeper than anything she expected.If you have ever questioned where you belong, or felt called toward a new chapter but did not know why, this conversation will leave you wanting to hear what happens next.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:01:44 Who She Is00:03:04 First Yoga Experience00:05:46 Moving to Bali00:06:50 First Teacher Trainings00:08:45 Teaching Began Unexpectedly00:11:04 Teaching Style00:14:42 Closing a Big Chapter00:15:55 Why This New Space Matters00:19:46 What She Is Exploring Now00:23:25 Yoga Is For Everyone00:25:29 How to ConnectMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Kimberley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberleyutamayoga/The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Tags: The In Movement, yoga, vinyasa flow, self inquiry, svadhyaya, devotion, spirituality, Bali, mixed heritage, identity, teacher trainings, meditation, pranayama, kriya practice, subtle body, community, transformation

Some spaces are built from ambition. Others are built from survival, devotion, and a long commitment to inner work.In this episode, Leah Santa Cruz shares the deeply personal journey that shaped her role as a founder of The In Movement. From early experiences with chaos and instability to burnout, meditation, motherhood, and leadership, Leah reflects on how lived experience becomes the foundation for meaningful community.Rather than offering polished answers, Leah speaks honestly about discipline, healing, and the responsibility that comes with creating a space meant to hold others. She explores why depth matters now more than ever, how belonging is cultivated rather than assumed, and what it means to lead without repeating old patterns of self sacrifice.This conversation is not about quick fixes or feel good moments. It is about building something that lasts and what it asks of the people creating it.Episode Chapters:00:00 – The season of building and what feels real now01:48 – Three life chapters that shaped Leah’s path02:52 – Growing up in chaos and learning self responsibility04:35 – Burnout, anxiety, and the body as messenger05:55 – Meditation as a turning point06:47 – Commitment, trust, and moving to Bali08:02 – From inspiration to structured transformation09:52 – Why depth and human connection matter now13:45 – Community shifts and what feels missing15:53 – Creating spaces for belonging beyond class17:23 – Collaboration, friction, and leadership growth22:30 – Partnership, parenting, and boundaries25:14 – When this project almost did not happen28:45 – Feeling seen, belonging, and activation31:49 – What this space is asking of Leah now33:27 – Sustainability, trust, and nervous system regulationMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Leah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesant/ The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Tags: The In Movement, founders journey, embodiment, meditation, healing and discipline, community building, conscious leadership, yoga philosophy, belonging, personal transformation

Some visions are born from stillness. Others are forged through discipline, friction, and a willingness to commit fully.In this episode, Paul Teodo shares his perspective on building The In Movement from the inside out. Not as a sudden leap, but as the result of years of partnership, responsibility, and choosing purpose over comfort.Paul speaks openly about what felt missing in the wellness culture around him, and why devotion, structure, and service are just as essential as softness and self love. He reflects on fatherhood, leadership, and the tension between nurturing and challenge, offering a grounded look at what it takes to build something that asks more of the people inside it.This conversation is not about branding or aesthetics. It is about standards, integrity, and the quiet courage required to say “I am all in” and mean it.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Why this studio began as an idea years ago02:40 – The deeper spark behind creating this space04:51 – What felt missing in the wellness culture05:30 – Feminine healing and masculine purpose07:27 – Discipline, provocation, and asking harder questions09:01 – Fatherhood and redefining leadership10:19 – Trust, roles, and long-term collaboration11:41 – Working with your partner and setting boundaries15:38 – Regulation, stress, and self care practices16:25 – When the project almost did not happen18:49 – Community, standards, and shared purpose20:01 – What this space is asking of Paul nowMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Paul Teodo’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/teodoyogaguitar/ The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Tags: The In Movement, yoga leadership, founders journey, masculine and feminine balance, discipline and purpose, conscious community, yoga philosophy, fatherhood and leadership, embodiment, personal growth

The moment a vision stops feeling theoretical and starts asking something real of you, everything changes.In this episode, Byron speaks candidly about what it means to bring The In Movement into form. Not as a brand concept, but as a lived philosophy shaped by years of teaching, partnership, risk, and trust.Rather than offering a polished origin story, Byron reflects on the quieter forces behind the studio’s creation. The long arc of preparation, the subtle pivots that could have led somewhere smaller, and the internal clarity required to choose something bigger. He explores the tension between going inward and showing up fully in the world, and why embodiment, community, and lasting transformation sit at the heart of this movement.This conversation invites you behind the scenes of a project still unfolding. It does not explain everything. Instead, it opens a doorway into the questions, values, and inner work that make this space what it is becoming.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Returning to the mic and the season of building02:03 – A pivotal moment and the idea of preparation meeting opportunity05:52 – Truth, freedom, and the inner work behind the vision10:00 – What “The In Movement” actually means15:37 – Alignment, disagreement, and creative tension between founders20:14 – Byron’s role as a visionary and pattern seer23:25 – When the project almost took a smaller form25:20 – Curating an experience of lasting transformation29:26 – Community, embodiment, and why people come back30:50 – What this space is asking of him now35:18 – Empowerment, oscillation, and long-term support37:43 – How to stay connected as the movement unfoldsMentions & Resources:Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Byron de Marse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/ The IN Movement Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/the_in_movement/Tags: The In Movement, Yoga philosophy, Founders journey, Embodiment, Community building, Vision and leadership, Conscious business, Transformation, Inner work, Yoga culture

What if the most powerful step forward is… to stop?This short episode is a gentle invitation to pause with intention. It announces a brief break and a coming name change to The In Movement Podcast, all framed as part of a larger practice: letting ideas integrate instead of rushing to the next thing. You’ll hear a simple reflection on why rest matters, how stepping back can create space for meaning, and a spoken passage on forgiveness, surrender, and inner strength that lingers long after the audio ends. If you’re tired of constant input and craving a more grounded way to grow, this one asks you to breathe, soften, and let it land—so the next chapter can begin clear and true. —-------—-------—-Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:24 Choosing a Pause00:01:27 A Season of Rest00:01:50 Rebrand: The In Movement Podcast00:02:19 Why Integration Matters00:02:57 Reading on Empowerment & Forgiveness00:04:44 Sit With the Words00:05:03 Stay Connected & See You in the New Year—-------—-------—-📚 Mentions & Resources:Book: Live the Life of Empowerment — Kefa Bates (excerpt read). Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Byron de Marse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/ Going Pro Yoga’s Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/goingproyoga/—-------—-------—-Tags: pause, integration, rest, reflection, forgiveness, surrender, empowerment, mindfulness, embodiment, inner strength, reset, transition