“What’s your biggest fear?”
It’s this question that always comes to mind whenever I think about what brought me to this work. Not so much the question but the answer that came rolling off my tongue. It seemed to bypass my rational thinking mind.
“Not fulfilling my potential.”
I was in my twenties at the time and didn’t really know what I meant. But a sense of not having access to all of me pervaded my awareness. This feeling of disconnect created a deep urge to pursue wellbeing and to explore what in fact we mean by health.
The word healing comes from the old-English term haelen meaning ‘wholeness’ and often refers to the process of moving towards a desired wholeness or sense of cohesion. The biblical meaning for the word heal, is to rescue or set free, to release people from some power so they can perform their full purpose.
I believe the primary duty of anyone working to help people heal, is that of healing themself. I remain rigorous in my approach to inner work and have explored a wide array of approaches over decades. These range from Holotropic Breathwork, plant medicine, sweat lodges, and a variety of one on one work to name just a few.
“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician” - Paracelsus
Our bodies are incredible; inherent within us is a profound capacity for regeneration. For this to occur, amongst other factors we need to feel safe. This means an environment free of judgement or any need on the part of the practitioner to fix or change anything. My job is essentially to listen deeply and to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and reverence so that the body can do what it’s designed to. When we feel safe and listened to on all levels of our being, from the physical to the energetic, we begin to rebalance.
My first foray into becoming a practitioner was a three-year training in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy in London under Michael Kern (author of Wisdom in the Body). I first came across this modality whilst pregnant and after experiencing major shifts in myself and my children, was compelled to learn how this mysterious and subtle modality worked.
Following on from this I was led to the world of Bach Flower Essences. This gentle yet potent system of 38 flower remedies works on an energetic level to help guide the personality towards greater balance. Integrating these into my practice has enabled me to address the emotional components at the root of many issues, and to appreciate the interplay between mind and body.
A desire to bring food into the conversation provided the impetus to train as an Ayurvedic practitioner. Working in my mother’s organic restaurant as a teenager, an appreciation and understanding of the vital role food plays in our wellbeing is inherent to me. Providing a lens into how we operate on all levels of our being, the Ayurvedic framework doesn’t simply offer guidance in how to eat but describes the nature of health and how to get there.
I see clients both in person and virtually, from a converted shed situated behind my home. Nestled in nature it provides a peaceful antidote to the bustle of daily life. Education wise I have a BA in Applied Languages (French and German) and a Postgrad in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology. When not working, I enjoy time in nature and with my family, wild gardening, and creating art from found objects.