Expert Kinesiologist Ilana Kosakiewicz Offers Strategies for Transitioning from Burnout to Balance
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Ilana Kosakiewicz, a kinesiologist, retreat facilitator, and energy guru, guides women from weariness to harmony. A health catastrophe forced her to bid adieu to the corporate world, and she ventured on a journey of rejuvenation, exchanging the hustle culture for rhythmical living and intuitive rituals. After her entrepreneurial leap, she now educates others on resetting, recovering, and reclaiming their energy through movement, nature, and the seasons. In this enlightening conversation, Ilana shares her secrets to synchronizing her life with the lunar cycle, fortifying her energy with firm boundaries, and the transformative power of inaction.
Are there any morning habits that help you start aligned and focused?
The initial thirty minutes to an hour of my day is sacrosanct. As a mother, business owner, and spiritual guide, I've realized that the manner in which I start my day significantly influences the rest of it. My non-negotiables consist of ignoring my phone until I've had some quiet time.
Usually, I start with a comforting beverage—either herbal tea or lemon water—followed by a centering practice like five minutes of journaling, meditation, yoga, or a beach stroll (unless, of course, I encounter an unwelcome friend like a stingray, as explained later). These rituals help me find equilibrium and connectivity before I give to others.
You've conquered burnout, chronic fatigue, and substantial life transitions. What insight about energy have you gained that you wish you'd understood earlier?
That energy is crucial. Everything we do is an energy expenditure. Moreover, it is my responsibility to manage my energy effectively. I once pushed myself beyond exhaustion, thinking that productivity equated to self-worthiness. However, chronic fatigue taught me that the body keeps tally. Now I appreciate that rest is not idleness—it's incredibly productive. If I had learned earlier the importance of listening to my body, honoring my cycles, adhering to the seasons, and prioritizing energy management, I could have evaded years of depletion.
How do you remain grounded while embracing others on such a personal level?
Maintaining balance is an ongoing commitment. I routinely rely on my tools—such as kinesiology, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture—to revitalize and realign my energy. Nature is my sanctuary—I venture outside, nurture my garden, or immerse myself in the ocean when possible. I ensure that I have firm energetic boundaries: I purify my space and energy after each client or event, and I designate regular "white space" in my week to recuperate and receive. It's imperative for me to nurture my energy before I can offer it to others.
Can you recount a recent moment when you had to slow down and truly listen to your body's requirements? What did that entail in practice?
Earlier this year, following the summer holidays, I was eager to jump back into work, as my daughter had just resumed childcare, and I was excited to map the rest of the year. Truthfully, though, I was already drained—juggling full-time parenting during the break while still attending to clients left me spent.
Then, in an unforgettable moment, I was stung by a stingray during a 7 a.m. swim.
The sting was excruciating (resulting in an emergency room visit), and it sent shock waves through my entire body and nervous system. This incident was profoundly symbolic. Stingrays symbolize sensitivity, intuition, and hidden emotional currents. For me, the sting was a stark message from the universe: slow down, reset, and cease pushing. It reminded me that I have my entire life ahead to spread my message.
As a consequence, I had to postpone meetings and plans, granting my body (and energy) ample time to recuperate. The sting served as a reminder that even with the best intentions, pressuring our way forward doesn't work when the body and spirit are petitioning us to rest. Sometimes, the most synergistic action is inaction itself.
You often discuss rhythmical living. How do you plan your weeks and months around this rhythm?
Rhythmical living is the foundation of everything I do. I organize my business around the lunar calendar, seasons, and my menstrual cycle. For example, I schedule high-energy activities—such as speeches, launches, retreats, or teaching—during ovulation or the waxing moon, and reserve slower tasks—like administration, journaling, or retreat planning—for the new moon or my bleeding.
Every month, I assess the moon phases, my energy levels, and my commitments, and adjust my calendar accordingly. While perfect alignment isn't always possible, I remain mindful of affording more "white space" and maintaining energetic boundaries during these times. Applying this approach has introduced more ease, flow, and harmony into both my personal and professional life.
How do you create boundaries around your time and space?
Boundaries are an act of self-respect. I allocate rest and recovery time in each week, specifically during busier periods of work and life, and I check in with my energy daily to make adjustments. I specify work hours, and I allow my intuition to guide me. This helps me honor my energy and life-season fluctuations. My boundaries are generally firm, but they leave room for flexibility and adaptability.
Finally, what advice would you offer to someone who feels consistently depleted, yet feels uncertain about where to start reclaiming their energy?
Begin modestly. Reclaiming your energy doesn't necessitate a radical transformation in a single day. Initiate by asking yourself: "What drains me?" and "What energizes or lights me up?" Then, cautiously create space for more of the things that recharge you. Simple actions—like prioritizing sleep, hydrating well, spending ten minutes in nature, resting, and disengaging from devices—can exert a significant impact.
Ultimately, learn to listen to your body and inner wisdom. They are always communicating—through symptoms, moods, and fatigue. Rebuilding your energy is a process of reconnection, not perfection. You may need to perform an energy and life audit. And remember, you don't have to do it alone—support is always accessible. Be confident in asking for it.
- In Ilana's daily routine, she dedicates the initial hour of her day to non-negotiables such as quiet time, journaling, meditation, yoga, or a peaceful outdoor activity, aiming to establish balance and connection before offering her energy to others.
- Ilana emphasizes that energy is essential, as everything we do requires energy, and it is our responsibility to manage our energy effectively. She advises listening to the body, honoring cycles, adhering to the seasons, and prioritizing energy management to avoid depletion.
- Maintaining balance is crucial for Ilana, who relies on tools like kinesiology, aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and acupuncture to revitalize and realign her energy. She also purifies her space and energy after each client or event and designates regular "white space" in her week to recuperate and receive.
- An important aspect of Ilana's approach to energy and lifestyle is understanding the importance of rest. She explains that rest is not idleness but a productive way to rejuvenate, stressing that ignoring the body's cues for rest can lead to chronic depletion.
