Laura Gaya: «We are at the beginning of a much more holistic era»

The area of ​​well-being can be approached from many perspectives, since happiness and quality of life are affected by different aspects of daily life.

In this sense, holistic coaching proposes adopting a global vision of everything that gives us well-being and motivation towards what motivates us. Let's see how he does it through this interview with Laura Gaya.

Laura Gaya: how holistic coaching can be beneficial

Laura Gaya Gabàs is a specialist in coaching and leadership, as well as a Yoga Teacher. In this interview she talks to us about the principles and applications of holistic coaching.

What is holistic coaching?

Holistic coaching is a comprehensive approach to well-being and personal and professional growth that considers the whole person, taking into account different areas. In my specific case, as a professional I focus on 4 pillars which are: mind (through coaching), body (

yoga), soul (music) and physical environment (feng shui). Rather than focusing on a specific area, I seek to balance different aspects of the individual's life, ensuring that progress in one area is not made at the expense of another.

What are the main benefits that this form of coaching provides?

The benefits that holistic coaching provides are mainly the development of a greater awareness complete about oneself, the balance between the different areas of life, and an improvement in well-being general. Sometimes we may be approaching a topic from a too specific approach that blinds us to a more global underlying problem. A more comprehensive perspective allows the coachee to address obstacles and challenges with more transversal tools that allow them to more easily approach their values ​​and ambitions.

Is holistic coaching usually applied more in the area of ​​personal development or professional development?

At an individual level it can be applied in both the personal and professional spheres. Advances in one of the two areas are inevitably reflected in the other. Holistic coaching also works very well at a group level in companies. The teams I have worked with emphasize precisely what is interesting about this more complete perspective, where they put into practice tools that they can then also apply in their personal environment. The positive impact is usually in different areas of the coachee's life despite addressing it a priori from a single area.

What are some of the most common strategies you apply as a coach?

Some of the strategies I usually use are: mindfulness and meditation techniques; practices to connect with the body and movement, through yoga or body coaching tools; breathing techniques to encourage self-awareness and emotion regulation; questions about the physical environment that may be affecting the coachee (office where he works, his house...); exercises with music that allow you to connect with the deepest part of yourself...

In your experience, do people have a hard time internalizing the theoretical-practical principles of holistic coaching and applying them in their daily lives without the coach's supervision?

Coaching in general is characterized by being a technique that encourages the independence of the coachee. If the sessions are held with the necessary frequency and the coachee is making adequate progress, the coachee will be finally self-sufficient to apply everything learned in the sessions and not depend on the supervision of the coach in the future. Now, during the development of the coaching process, the coachee will face different personal challenges. Regular support from a coach, especially in the initial stages, can be vital to help people consolidate their learning and build sustainable habits.

What aspects of holistic coaching do you find most satisfying on a personal level?

A few years ago, I faced a deep existential crisis after the loss of my mother. It was a challenging time that led me to seek a complete change in my life. I began by transforming my environment, applying Feng Shui principles to create a space full of peace. Then, I reconnected with my body through yoga, which helped me find balance and serenity. Music became a way to express and channel my deepest emotions. Finally, coaching gave me the tools to put my thoughts and values ​​in order, guiding me towards a lifestyle much more aligned with my essence. Today, as a holistic coach, I find deep satisfaction in watching my coachees flourish in different aspects of their lives. Helping someone discover and navigate their own path to wellness is a rewarding and enriching journey.

How do you think holistic coaching will evolve in the coming decades?

I think we are experiencing a change in social consciousness, with a growing interest towards the holistic. We keep hearing about the importance of mental health, healthy eating, the benefits of yoga... high productivity taken to the extreme distances us from our essence, causing us problems of everything guy. Holistic coaching addresses this need to reconnect with what is natural in oneself. I believe we will continue to make many advances and discoveries about well-being and the interconnections in human life, driven by artificial intelligence and new technologies. I would say that we are at the beginning of a much more holistic era.