Modern lifestyles have significantly increased the need for psychological support. The realities of the new world, social media pressure, and fast-paced living have become serious challenges to global mental health. As a result, psychology has emerged as one of the key disciplines for coping with stress and improving quality of life.
Our guest today is Nargiz Aliyeva, a professional psychologist and certified yoga instructor.
Who is Nargiz Aliyeva?
Nargiz Aliyeva: I am a psychologist and Gestalt therapist, as well as an internationally certified yoga instructor with over 500 hours of training completed in India, Bali, and Turkey. I hold a degree in Psychology from the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis. Throughout my professional career, I have witnessed more than 1,500 people positively transform their lives.
How did yoga enter your life, and which styles do you practice?
Nargiz Aliyeva: I began practicing yoga in 2018 to support my own mental health. As I experienced its benefits, I decided to study it more deeply and share it with others. I traveled to India, the birthplace of yoga, where I completed my first 200-hour international yoga instructor training. Currently, I teach Hatha Yoga. In my personal practice, I also work with Kundalini and Ashtanga yoga.
Does yoga truly influence human psychology, or is it simply physical exercise? What connects psychology and yoga?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Yoga’s impact on psychology is undeniable. It would be inaccurate to define yoga as merely physical exercise. Yoga is a multidimensional system that works with the body, mind, and emotions as a whole. Scientific research shows that yoga directly affects the nervous system, reduces stress hormones, and strengthens attention and emotional regulation.
Through meditation and breathing techniques, yoga helps train the mind and release stress, fatigue, and emotional tension. Proper meditation is one of the most effective tools for mental discipline. The main bridge between psychology and yoga is awareness. Both serve mental and psychological well-being—psychology through psychotherapy, and yoga through meditation, physical postures, and breathwork. In my practice, these two disciplines complement each other: psychology works with consciousness, while yoga strengthens its manifestation in the body.
The renowned 20th-century psychologist Eric Berne believed that human communication consists of “games.” Why do people play these games?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Eric Berne’s concept of “games” refers to unconscious, repetitive behavioral patterns in daily interactions. People play these games because they struggle to express their emotional needs directly. Such patterns provide a sense of familiarity, safety, and being “right,” but they prevent the formation of healthy, long-term relationships. One of the key stages of psychological growth is recognizing these games and transitioning to more mature and open communication.
Psychological support was once viewed negatively in society. How do you evaluate the situation today?
Nargiz Aliyeva: The situation has significantly improved compared to previous years. People increasingly see visiting a psychologist not as a weakness, but as self-care and personal responsibility. Psychological literacy has especially increased among younger generations. Although some stereotypes remain, the most important progress is that people no longer want to face their problems alone and are less afraid to ask for help.
Narcissism is a widely discussed personality disorder. What are the most common misconceptions, and what are the early signs?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Narcissism is one of the most misunderstood psychological concepts today. A common misconception is that everyone who loves themselves is a narcissist, which is incorrect. Narcissism exists on a spectrum, and healthy narcissistic traits can be part of normal self-esteem.
The biggest misconception is believing that narcissists truly love themselves. Clinically, narcissistic personality disorder is rooted in deep feelings of worthlessness, fear of abandonment, and an intense need for validation. While narcissistic individuals may appear confident and superior externally, they possess a very fragile inner self-structure. Criticism is experienced not as feedback, but as a psychological threat.
Early signs include lack of empathy, constant need for admiration, idealizing and then devaluing others in relationships, avoidance of responsibility, defensive or aggressive reactions to criticism, and manipulative or emotionally exploitative behaviors. It is crucial to distinguish narcissistic traits from narcissistic personality disorder, which can only be diagnosed by a professional through long-term evaluation.
Where should someone begin if they want to raise awareness and transform their life?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Awareness—the conscious recognition of one’s thoughts, emotions, and bodily reactions—is one of the most powerful skills for improving quality of life. The starting point is simple: self-observation. Asking questions such as “What am I feeling right now?” or “What is my body telling me?” is enough. The goal is not to find immediate answers, but to observe honestly.
Practices like breath awareness, yoga, somatic exercises, emotional reflection, and observing automatic behaviors without judgment are highly effective. The purpose is not perfection, but developing a more honest and compassionate relationship with oneself. Change occurs gradually, not instantly.
What has been the most impactful experience in your professional practice?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Without violating ethical boundaries, I can say that the most powerful moments are often subtle yet profound. For instance, when someone who has suppressed emotions for years finally feels safe enough to speak and cry in therapy—it represents permission to be human. Another transformative moment is when a person learns to set boundaries and say “no.” Healing often begins not with dramatic changes, but with learning self-compassion. I hope to collect and share some of these stories in the future, with full confidentiality preserved.
Finally, how would you assess the current psychological state of Azerbaijani society?
Nargiz Aliyeva: Azerbaijani society has experienced major transformations, collective trauma, and rapid life changes. Stress and emotional overload are high. However, I find the growing interest in psychology, self-development, and awareness very promising. I believe that mental health will soon be valued as highly as physical health.
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26 January 2026, 13:23
