Mysteries of the Womb

This was probably the first time in my life that I didn’t feel sad about completing a process. I felt joyful because I knew: I was "graduating," and now it’s my life ahead—rich, interesting, where I continue to live, love, learn, and listen to myself.

I want to share my experience with anyone wondering if this course is right for them. (Spoiler: IT IS!)

As a woman with a very logical mind, I was initially drawn to the clear, relatable description of the program, which aligned perfectly with my life goals. And I sensed that with Marka, any process would be gentle, respectful, and profoundly deep.

Over these 15 weeks (which flew by like a single moment!), I saw myself and began to value myself. I discovered a whole universe within me—fascinating, vibrant, alive, and ever-changing.

Each session focused on different parts or areas of the body, and throughout the week, we worked with them—photographing, drawing, talking to them, filling them with warmth.

My biggest revelation was realizing that I could look at my own body, familiar after 33 years, from a fresh perspective—as an explorer. In this way, every wrinkle, every fold, and every gray hair turned from a flaw into a captivating art object.

Another impact was that I slowed down: now I intentionally take my time eating, walking, doing dishes, or just lying down (suspended in time). I watch shadows, the movements of my body, and feel the touch of the wind.

This is self-love—the kind I believe we can’t truly receive from anyone else until we love ourselves, genuinely and forever.

My goal for this course was “to learn to be in relationships and still feel like myself.” Over these 15 weeks, I began the most important relationship of my life—the relationship with myself.

I am so grateful to Marka, my dear guide into the world of art therapy. Exploring oneself through art is twice as fulfilling with you! All the challenges that come up feel easier to navigate, knowing you’re there, connected, and present in the support chat.

If you’re still unsure about taking Marka’s course, ask yourself: Do I want to know and love myself just as I am today? The one who looks back at me every morning. And the one I fall asleep with each night. This path is worth it!

The *Landscapes of the Body* course is a journey deep within yourself, where in a meditative state, you explore hidden corners of your consciousness and subconscious, and your hands bring to paper what words could not express.

*Landscapes of the Body* is a space by women, for women, where you can meet your kindred spirits and embody your inner Amazon or fairy, free from judgment or criticism.

*Landscapes of the Body* is a date with yourself. Your guide in this space is Marka, who takes you by the hand and leads you to new horizons, finding an individual approach for each participant, even in a group setting.

Thank you, Marka! It was wonderful and fascinating!

If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, if you’re seeking space and time for yourself to replenish or restore your resources—this is the place for you!

Marka, I am so grateful for your *Landscapes of the Body* course, and I'm grateful to myself for deciding to jump on board just in time.

Right now, I'm going through a challenging yet fascinating stage in life (cancer treatment), and I’m observing my new reactions, my new state of being, and this confidence that I feel, which has nothing to do with external things. It’s a confidence that comes from within, an incredibly powerful force. It’s a gift we all have, yet not everyone learns how to access it.

Now I’m in the process of accepting and understanding this gift, and to my amazement, I notice so many insecure women around me. I used to be one of them, always striving for more, but not knowing exactly how or what to do.

When I was 16 (20 years ago), I came across a book that was a popular bestseller in Russia at the time, *The Alchemist*. The book's message was that all the treasures we’re looking for are already around us; we just can’t see them. I have been on a long journey, and the *Landscapes of the Body* course helped me see my own treasures.

When I read reviews from women who had taken the course and were enjoying the results, I thought, “I want that too.” But I hesitated. There are so many courses with glowing reviews, but my results often didn’t seem to match. I worried that it might be the same this time—that I’d learn something, try it, but that nothing would really change.

Three months after completing the course, I’d say I worked at about a “3 out of 5.” Some parts of my body are still waiting for my attention, and I’ll get to them. But the effect has already been incredible!

I’m different; I feel more whole, more confident in my actions. Inside, I’m calmer and more harmonious.

Recently, I had an interesting metaphor come to mind: we walk our life’s path just like we drive a car. I was behind the wheel, feeling good and calm. I was sure of myself on the road, handling the steering wheel with ease, switching gears, and for the first time ever, confidently turning the high beams on and off to see the road ahead in the dark. I was managing everything on the road with confidence.

And I realized that, on that same day, I was confidently managing my own household tasks. I didn’t get sidetracked by anyone else’s “shoulds” or feel flustered when things didn’t go as planned. I chose to respond from a place of self-worth, and inner confidence came to me! I feel like the master of my life, and it feels warm, cozy, and safe in my soul.

Thank you! ❤️🙏🏻

Marka, I’m sincerely grateful that you invited me to your AMAZING (I don’t hesitate to say it!) *Landscapes of the Body* course 💞

Setting my intention… I spent a long time on it… and then summed it up in just three words🙈😁 Yes, exactly that! Brevity is the soul of wit. Now I’m writing this with a smile on my face.

At first, I won’t lie—it was challenging, scary, and confusing. My mind resisted and wouldn’t let me rest, but then… (no risk, no champagne😉)... things started to clear up, slowly but surely.

The deeper you go, the more there is to uncover…🙈 But what an amazing feeling it is (now I can say this after 15 weeks with Marka 💓) to learn to feel your body and free it…

15 weeks… They flew by in an instant. At the last session, I wanted MORE… at least another 15 WEEKS, naturally 😉😁

It’s August now, I’m 53, and I’m no longer the same person who came to Marka in May. I’m someone *different*✨

I allowed myself to be many things, to accept parts of myself I’d long locked away in a dark closet and thrown away the key… I fulfilled my three-word intention. I’ll reveal the first word: I thawed… and I now have DESIRES! 🦋🦋🦋

Marka, I adore you 💞 and everything you’ve done for me. I thank the universe for bringing us together!

Anyone still doubting if they should go to Marka?

P.S. Life goes by so fast. Don’t waste time! Spread your wings and…

November 17. Moscow awaits "severe" frosts. The taxi driver, with obvious enthusiasm (not unlike the women on TV in my childhood news reports), forecasts temperatures as low as minus 20. Smiling at the lights along the Vnukovo highway, I keep quiet, though I’ve just flown in from minus 27 and have counted my hat as a faithful friend for months now. I know if I speak up, I’ll get a reaction, but I choose silence—a dialogue within myself feels more important.

Choosing myself has become, perhaps, the most valuable skill I gained over the 15-week *Landscapes of the Body* course.

Funny, my first impulse to choose myself probably happened at the very start. Sitting in line at the neurosurgeon, shocked by test results and diagnoses, I was scrolling through my feed and saw your message, Marka: "We start tomorrow, one spot left." Until that day, like so many times before, I would’ve just glanced, taken a screenshot, and set it aside for “better times.” But that day, life showed me, at 35, that those “better times” (or any times) might not come. And from there, I threw myself into it completely…

And now, three months later, with a regular cycle "like clockwork," I’m healthy and happy, on my way to a systemic constellation training I found out about through a book that came from Marka’s field.

"Here comes a new turn…" I don’t know where it’s taking me, but I feel the call. And, thank God, it seems I’ve learned (knock on wood) to hear that call.

There’s still much work ahead, and of course, I value every stage of my four-year therapy journey. But Marka, your energy has so deeply enriched my "kaleidoscope." I was so happy to be in contact with you and our wonderful group. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! 🧡

Хочу поделиться с вами своими впечатлениями о занятиях по арт-терапии и как они положительно сказываются на моем самочувствии, эмоциональном состоянии и желании действовать.

С самого начала, я немного сомневалась, но решила попробовать этот вид терапии, и я не могу быть более благодарной за это решение!
Моя встреча с арт-терапевтом Маркой стала настоящим открытием и вдохновением для меня!!!

Занятия по арт-терапии переросли в исцеляющий процесс. Я обнаружила, что через рисование и другие творческие методы, я могу выразить свои эмоции и чувства, которые раньше казались мне недоступными. Каждая картина, которую я создаю, становится своего рода отражением моей души и позволяет мне осознать и принять свои эмоции, меня настоящую, обретая целостность.
Благодаря занятиям с Маркой я почувствовала себя более уравновешенной и спокойной. Они помогли мне справиться с некоторыми стрессовыми ситуациями и дали возможность осознать свои сильные стороны. Я стала более уверенной в себе и начала видеть новые возможности вокруг!
Марка, огромная благодарность тебе за безграничные профессионализм, терпение, поддержку и тотальное принятие!!! Ты создала атмосферу доверия и понимания, которая позволяет раскрыться и насладиться процессом творчества. Твои ценные советы и наблюдения помогли мне лучше понять себя и свои эмоции.

Я рекомендую занятия по арт-терапии каждому, кто хочет улучшить свое самочувствие, эмоциональное состояние и желание действовать. Это уникальный способ общения с собой и понимания своего внутреннего мира. Благодаря арт-терапии, я стала более оптимистичной и готовой к новым вызовам.
Спасибо, Марка, за то, что ты делаешь! Благодаря тебе я принимаю и познаю все части себя, учусь ценить и любить свою уникальность. Желаю всем позитивных эмоций и вдохновения в своем творческом путешествии! 🎨💛

I didn’t know what "art therapy" was, but I definitely knew I needed it. Some inner intuition and years of living in my head told me that I absolutely had to work with my body, restore the connection, free myself, and become more liberated.

I was a little scared. Of the unknown. I was also afraid of harsh methods. I didn’t want to be broken apart and have to rebuild myself.

Marka offered an introductory session, and then I could decide whether to continue or not.

I agreed, and I stepped into a space of absolute acceptance. I felt trust and boldly followed her. We meditated, and so many vivid images surfaced within me that I couldn’t wait for the session to end. I wanted to tell everything before I forgot—there was so much!

That’s when I realized that my body was speaking to me. And I was amazed at how active and loud it was.

The body remembers—this realization hit me as an insight during one of the next sessions. The body remembers everything, even what I had forgotten or didn’t want to remember. It carefully holds this information and is ready to share it as soon as I’m ready to accept it.

At the first session, during meditation, tears flowed. The body immediately pointed to pain points, the most vulnerable wounds—those that needed healing—and this pain was released along with the tears. I think the tears were also from finally paying attention to my body. My body had been waiting and longing.

What was especially valuable to me was that Marka was with me. I didn’t stay stuck in that state. She gently guided me toward the light. She patiently waited while I cried it out, and after that, she shared the joy of my release.

Yes, exactly!

It was liberation.
I felt light. And joyful.
I smiled.
I think this is what living and transforming feels like.
And it was so alive!
So real.
I felt alive.
I could feel the energy pulsing under my skin.
For the first time in a long while, so clearly.
I felt heat in my body.
And it was such a blissful feeling!

Of course, after that, I decided to continue.
Not just after—but even during the process!
Thank you, my dear Marka ❤️

In the "Body Landscapes" course, our final task was to write a final essay in any artistic form, but we didn’t complete it.
It seems I’ve written it now, when I caught myself realizing that I perceive others through the lens of landscapes: as unique worlds shaped by their experiences and perceptions.
There’s much acceptance of others' differences and faith in transformation in this.

I look at people, cut by riverbeds.
Here, the earth once opened, revealing a scar,
and crystal domes were pressed down by the ocean,
and glaciers consumed the pillars of the land, pulling them to the sea.
And beneath the ashes is wrapped—emptiness.

I look at you, cut by riverbeds.
Where it still hurts, and where there’s silence.
And as I look at the rain, the waves lap at the crystals.
And as I watch the sunset, the water rocks the amber.
When you are earth, no other earth is needed.
Underwater, there is no pain.
Underwater, it never hurts.

Those in the ashes, what do you want to do? Release them? Keep them?"
This text must be voiced! It resonates in me with deep vibrations and cleansing tears.
The puzzles of my inner world continue to come together after finishing the work in the group. Everything becomes a pattern that you weave yourself.

The growing gap between my self-image and real self-acceptance is something I started noticing a long time ago. But there were enough problems, and this one didn’t seem the most important among everything happening. Besides, I’ve been in therapy for quite a while and believed that by removing the nails from my head, I’d be able to partly solve this problem too. "There are no coincidences" (damn, it feels like I'm only watching cartoons), and I saw an ad for a course.

The phrase about not recognizing my reflection in shop windows caught my attention first. That’s me. I didn’t just fail to recognize myself. Sometimes I was scared of myself. And then such an offer came! Tempting. Scary. But I have therapy, depression, and a critical situation in my life. And there are photos, drawings, creativity, and meditations (where am I, and where are the meditations?). I decided to take the risk.

I’ll say that I wasn’t the ideal student. I rescheduled meetings, got confused, didn’t always complete all the assignments, and postponed everything until the last moment. I admire Marka, who accepted all of this with understanding and attention.

Despite all this, every time, I looked forward to the moment when I would finally be alone with the camera, sketchbook, pencils, markers, and myself. And in the morning, meet my Art Therapist. Because the whole program is so wonderfully structured that it’s impossible to do the work just to get it over with. There are too many discoveries, wow effects, connections, and mechanisms for working with your body (and not just with it). There were moments when thoughts would slip by, "Are we really talking about the body now?!" Yes, we are. But not just about it.

I brought to light old pains, resentments, fears, beliefs, and prejudices. And my posture changed, my back straightened, I began to look people in the eye in return, and protect myself. I began to speak about things I had been afraid to say for years and started asking for help. Perhaps I even understood why I needed to go through oncology and accept the fact that the threat of recurrence would be with me for life.

I learned a lot about myself. We get used to, and become one with, a certain perception of ourselves. We build an image based on other people’s judgments and foreign opinions and carry this through life, convinced that it’s who we really are. It turns out that you can be different, and from the shock of "Is this me?" you move to the joyful realization of "Yes, this is me!" You accept yourself and carry this knowledge with you without challenge, fracture, or tragedy. At the same time, you see how much more work is ahead. But this meeting—this realization—is so amazing that you want to keep it with you, walk beside it, and live in it. Because "I have me, and together we’ll manage.