My
Story
I’ve often felt life is testing me to be the eye of the storm, the calm in the chaos - stillness in motion.
It’s not been a linear journey, definitely more cyclical, but the path towards healing has been rich and fulfilling.
Having grown up as a gymnast then danced professionally throughout my 20’s, pushing my body to its physical limits was instilled in me early on. It took me a few years after hanging up my pro dancing shoes to develop the skill of listening to my body and knowing where that ‘kinder edge’ was. I discovered various free form dance practices in 2013 and learned how to ‘be moved’ in the dance and have been dancing 'my way’ ever since.
I have known grief well, having lost both my parents to cancer. When my mum left us, I was just 19. I've been affected by addiction, both in myself and family members. I have delved deep into the void of my emotional pain, emptiness and longing and through meeting myself in that darkness, I have expanded my capacity for feeling pleasure, joy, gratitude and ultimately more love. I feel blessed that my healing journey led me to such a deep exploration of movement and somatic (body-based) therapies, learning to move through and dance with discomfort.
Qualifications & Trainings
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Kula Collective, Guatemala, 2024
Raynor Massage Level 3 Diploma, Devon, UK, 2023
Eastern & Western Massage Masterclass CPD, Jacques Poullard, New Massage Association, London, 2023
Somatic Trauma Therapy Training, Babette Rothschild, London, 2020
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) Provider Certificate, Thailand/UK, 2017
5 Elements Dance and Cacao Ceremony Facilitator Training, Thailand, 2016
Thai Massage Level 1 Certificate, Thailand, 2014
My Musings on Trauma
Accumulative stress and trauma can lead to a reactive nervous system, you may feel constantly switched on or off.
Our bodies are built that way to protect us.
It does not suggest a ‘malfunction’ to be negatively affected by trauma and to find it harder to show up in our responsibilities and relationships in the way we did previously.
Resilience does not come automatically from being perpetually beaten down and developing a ‘thick skin’. It is built through making a conscious choice to take steps towards recovery and living fully. That takes work, courage and commitment as our bodies are naturally trying to close-off and protect us.
Some unraveling is required to move what is lodged in our organism, nervous system and psyche. Finding tools that work for you can be an empowering and enriching part of the healing process.
