Larisa Bondarenko

"My mission in the world is to bring peace, love and good for the development of humanity"

INDIA FOR THE SOUL, UKRAINE FOR BUSINESS

DIRECTOR OF Cryoin Engineering Ltd,

Founder of "Shanti spa",

Project Leader for Woman's Soul at the Successful Women's Club "WOMEN OF UKRAINE"

 

I have four roles: wife, mother, founder, and director. Combining these roles is not an easy task, but it is possible, as practice has shown. How do they coexist? How is my attention distributed?

WIFE

 

My second marriage is conscious and mature, but it is not dull or boring. The path to each other was winding. Each of us had to go through trials and preparation in other relationships to refine the ability to respect, forgive, and love unconditionally. When we met, it became clear that we would only go forward together.

 

For me, it is important to create a cozy home and a beautiful environment. I enjoy interior design.

 

Preparing healthy and delicious food is a pleasure and meditation for me. I approach it creatively and often come up with new recipes.

It is important for us to make time for each other, and although it is extremely difficult to do so amidst the general flow of events, we try to find such an opportunity.

MOTHER

 

I am a mother of two children and expecting my third. This aspect of my life didn't reveal itself to me immediately. Apparently, I needed to feel confident in the future father of my children and prepare myself mentally for this role. I feel a great responsibility for them.

But now I can't imagine how I lived before without the joy and fulfillment that my children bring me.

 

For every parent, their children are special, and we never cease to be amazed by their individuality and the similarities they share with us. It's a wonder to see our traits and behaviors reflected in our children!

We apply the Japanese early development methodology, which suggests that children are most receptive to new information before the age of three, aiding the formation of neural connections in their brains. As a result, our children started speaking early, have a wide vocabulary, and possess well-developed memory.

  • What values and traditions prevail in your family?

  • Love and mutual respect. We value the individuality and expressions of each member of our family. Openness and sincerity. These were instilled in me by my parents. My husband and I share these values and raise our children in the same way.

Such an approach is much more challenging than using force in parenting because it requires incredible patience. But we are willing to invest our efforts to raise well-rounded individuals. We communicate with them as adults, explaining many simple things, and then we observe how they apply that knowledge in practice. Seeing the results is the best reward.


FOUNDER

  • What was the easiest part in starting your business (career)?

  • Making the decision to create Shanti Spa.

It all began when my health took a turn for the worse - for a month, I had constant headaches and a persistently high temperature. None of the doctors could diagnose what was happening or determine the cause.

 

Both my emotional and physical state were completely exhausted. It became clear that I needed to take matters into my own hands, and I began exploring natural healing methods that focused not on superficial symptom improvement but on deep-rooted causes of diseases. I sought a method that would allow me to heal using my own resources and natural remedies, rather than relying on tablets that merely suppress symptoms.

 

During this period, I read Deepak Chopra's book, which introduced me to Ayurveda, and I became fascinated by this ancient knowledge. I followed up with other works in the field, attended seminars and conferences, and visited Ayurvedic centers in various parts of the world.

 

Two years later, in 2010, I embarked on my first journey to India, which lasted three months. I chose a pilgrimage route to places where spiritual teachers lived and practiced. In the last month, I traveled alone.

 

I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in an Ayurvedic center led by a ninety-year-old yoga doctor named Raja. Every morning at 5:00, he conducted yoga and pranayama sessions on the rooftop of his clinic. I underwent various procedures, practiced yoga and breathing techniques, and assisted with translation into Russian during classes and consultations for those who didn't speak English.

 

When I returned home, my condition had completely changed, the symptoms had disappeared, and I felt energized enough to create.

 

At that moment, I realized that I needed to open an Ayurvedic center to share this knowledge with people, to promote the concept of a healthy lifestyle.

 

According to the plan, the Odessa-based center "Shanti" should be a place where people find peace and healing simply by being in that space.

 

"Shanti" is a mantra, a short prayer. In Sanskrit, it means "peace," "tranquility," and "serenity."

 

Repeating the word "shanti" three times can be interpreted as "peace in the soul," "peace in the family," and "peace on Earth."

  • Why did we choose "serenity" as our motto and symbol of what we do?

  • Let's turn to the words of Sai Baba, one of the contemporary spiritual teachers: "No matter how high a bird flies, it must eventually perch on a tree to rest. Similarly, even the richest and most powerful person seeks rest and serenity. But serenity can only be acquired in one "store" - within one's inner reality. Emotions will sink you into a swamp that will draw you deeper and deeper into a cycle of joys and sorrows, which is simply an extension of dissatisfaction. Only the contemplation of unity can dispel fear, competition, envy, greed, and passion - the emotions that generate dissatisfaction. Any other path can only provide pseudo-satisfaction, and the day will come when you will discard all these toys and amusements and exclaim: "Oh Lord! Grant me eternal serenity!"

True treasure lies in balance and tranquility. Inner equilibrium is more important than prosperity. Serenity is achieved through spiritual practice. Bliss can be attained through the path of love.

 

We transmit the mantra of "shanti" in everything we do. We create an atmosphere of serenity in our spaces and procedures. Peace and non-violence are the principles that govern our relationships with colleagues, guests, and all living beings. We offer peace and comfort to everyone in need. We are delighted when guests and employees feel cozy, safe, and at home with us.

 

This ensures that clients can truly relax, simplifies and enhances the quality of our therapists' and administrators' work, and encourages guests to come back to us again and again. We strive for our employees and guests to be able to be themselves, without masks, to detach from social roles and to be fully authentic.

 

Three years after the opening of "Shanti Spa," the number of clients exceeded a thousand, and the number of employees grew from two to twenty. An additional space was opened nearby. In 2016, "Shanti" moved to a new location at Sadovaya Street, 16, with a much larger area and a wider range of services.

 

Now we can bring like-minded people together and support those who are ready for personal growth. We conduct yoga classes, workshops, and lectures, offer sound therapy, prepare smoothies and healthy desserts. It is important for me to see how our guests transform after the procedures, how tension dissipates and the joy of life emerges.

 

Currently, we welcome showbiz stars, and they happily return to Shanti. The level of our service is considered exemplary.

For me, Shanti is a social project, my way of serving the world.

DIRECTOR

  • Who believed in you as a businesswoman first?

  • My mother.

My parents gave me the opportunity to choose my university and the field of my professional interests. At that stage, I chose sociology and studied at Lomonosov Moscow State University, focusing on personnel management.

 

I built my career on my own, starting as an assistant in the HR department while still a student. I then continued my career in consulting. After that, I had several outsourcing projects and eventually started my own business. Such diverse experiences allowed me to accumulate competencies for serious tasks. In a challenging period for my father's business, I joined his team and became its leader.

 

This role was a challenge for me because I entered an established team with established traditions of interaction.

  • What was the most difficult part?

  • Implementing changes. It involves changing the usual course of things and sometimes rethinking approaches, which often leads to resistance.

  • How do you usually solve problems?

  • I try to understand the root cause of the problem and find common ground. There is always a solution to any situation; you just need to identify it.

  • Are employees always grateful and loyal?

  • We have many loyal employees, but unfortunately, it is not always the case. Sometimes an employee, for whom we have done everything for their well-being, turns their back on us and may even harm the company and the leader personally. This is a human factor that depends on the employee's personality. We take a philosophical approach to this.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Combining all roles is not an easy task, but nothing is impossible. My experience shows that they can coexist. The key is to understand what is important to you and what you are currently focusing on. This requires constant self-improvement and increasing personal effectiveness to be able to live a full life and not miss important moments. But this only inspires me for new achievements and personal development. I love a dynamic and fulfilling life.

  • How do you define your mission in the world?

  • To bring peace, love, and goodness for the development of humanity!


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