Meet Douchka Lecot

We had the good fortune of connecting with Douchka Lecot and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Douchka, what makes you happy? Why?
What makes me happy are the simple and sacred moments of connection — with nature, with others, and with the deeper self. A quiet morning with tea, the sound of water flowing, moving my body in a way that feels free and alive, or holding space for someone’s healing or self-discovery — these are moments that fill me with joy.

I think it’s because, in those moments, everything slows down and the noise of the world falls away. What’s left is presence, beauty, and authenticity — the essence of why I do what I do with The Alchemical Nest. Witnessing someone soften, open, or reconnect with themselves brings me the deepest happiness. It feels like life weaving itself back into wholeness, and I’m grateful to be part of that weaving.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is about creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, with others, and with the sacredness of life. Through The Alchemical Nest, I weave together practices from yoga, Ayurveda, Tantra, movement, tea ceremony, and water therapy to offer journeys of healing, creativity, and self-discovery. What sets my work apart is that it is never a formula or a “one-size-fits-all” approach — it is alive, intuitive, and deeply responsive to who is in front of me and what life is asking in the moment.

I am most proud of the courage it has taken to walk this path authentically. It’s not always easy. Choosing a nontraditional life — rooted in creativity, spirituality, and healing — has meant facing uncertainty, financial instability, and moments of doubt. But each challenge or experience is an initiation into resilience, trust, and the art of surrender. I overcome obstacles by trusting the quiet voice and natural presence within and by letting life itself guide me.

The lessons I’ve learned are simple but profound: everything is part of the journey; healing is not about fixing but about remembering wholeness; and daily life, in all its ordinariness, is sacred when we choose to see it that way.

What I want the world to know about me and my work is that it’s not about me at all — it’s about us. The Alchemical Nest is a sanctuary for co-creation, where people can soften, explore, and return home to themselves. It is also an ever-evolving space where other Alchemists — dear colleagues, teachers, and visionaries — bring their own passions, wisdom, and creativity into the fold, guiding others in their unique ways.

Some people may know this work from its roots as Yana Shala, and what began there has now been transforming into The Alchemical Nest — a more expansive and collaborative sanctuary. Together we weave a living tapestry of healing, spirituality, and artistry that continues to grow and transform with each offering. My story is just one thread in this larger fabric, and what excites me most is that it is never finished — it is alive, collaborative, and always unfolding in service of presence, authenticity, and freedom.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d want them to experience both the soulful and playful sides of Dallas, with space to feel, breathe, and savor. Our mornings might start with picking up fresh French pastries at Oak Cliff Bread, then wandering over to Slow and Steady for coffee under their front tree — a simple, grounding ritual to greet the day. One day, I’d bring them to the creek where I offer Yoga in the Wild, so they could feel the magic of moving with the stones, water, and sunlight.

We’d also spend time in mindful, restorative spaces — a session at Breathe for meditation or breathwork, or a simple gathering at my home for homemade meals and chai, where we could linger over conversations, stories, and laughter.

For exploring the neighborhood, we’d wander the Bishop Arts District, peek into local galleries, and connect with the creative energy of Dallas. Evenings might include live music — intimate jazz, soulful singer-songwriters, or the vibrant energy of local performers. And of course, we’d indulge in local tacos and stop at Tribal All Day Café for nourishing bowls — grounding, delicious, and full of character.

Above all, I’d want the week to feel like a living flow — a balance of movement, stillness, nourishment, connection, and serendipity. For me, the best times are the ones that leave you feeling present, inspired, and just a little more in love with life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My deepest shoutout goes to the island of Ibiza, the place where I grew up and the land that has shaped me in more ways than I can count. Ibiza has been both my teacher and my nurturing mother all along. Its wild nature, the endless sea, the scent of pine and herbs carried by the wind, the rhythm of the seasons and the community of seekers and creators it attracts — all of these have guided me into who I am today.

The island taught me to embrace freedom, to honor beauty in the simple and natural, and to live with a sense of magic woven into the everyday. Even when I’ve lived far from her shores, I carry Ibiza within me. She reminds me to stay authentic, to return to presence, and to trust that life itself is an alchemical journey.

So if there is one being I would give recognition to, it is this island — my mother, mentor, and muse.

Website: http://thealchemicalnest.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealchemicalnest/

Other: My Linktree – linktr.ee/douchka_lecot

Image Credits
I own all these pictures