What's my story? 

For most of my life I lived in a state of disembodiment and disconnection. Like so many of us, my early years and upbringing had led me to, in many ways, shut down and lose my playfulness, innate curiosity and authentic voice. Twelve years of talking therapy in my teens and early twenties failed to penetrate this barrier. Therapy certainly helped me grow in my understanding of myself and my behaviours but I never felt fully reconnected with my confident, carefree and loving inner child. No amount of telling ourselves that the past is in the past, no amount of narrating or making sense of it, framing and reframing it, will make our bodies believe that to be true. Narrative is a means of self-soothing the mind, but our fears and traumas reside in the body - I eventually learned I couldn’t simply think my way to feeling better.

My life was driven by perfectionism, overworking to the point of burnout and recurring bouts of unexplained depression and anxiety. Even though I knew I was deeply compassionate, I found myself continually triggered, reactive and generally disappointed in relationships. I was unable to self-soothe or navigate conflict and there was no connection between who I intrinsically knew I was and how I was behaving. Most of all, I had no real sense of my deep values, needs or purpose. I lived in a state of chronic disassociation and often felt alone. Unable to feel a sense of safety, connection or belonging with myself or others, I was desperate for genuine, authentic and meaningful connection but didn't know how to create it.

When did I discover somatic work? 

My journey into somatic work began (like many good things) by accident! Shortly before my 18th birthday I attended a drop-in adult ballet class and the trajectory of my life changed in a moment. The intensity and technicality of it pulled me into my body; something that I had never experienced before. I discovered the flow state and the magic of being fully present and embodied. A 10-year love affair with ballet followed as I completed my advanced vocational training alongside my university degree and professional career. I found more healing in dance than I had in years of self-development work and study. Movement was a meditative, mindful medium where I began to understand more about my true nature.

It has been an ongoing spiritual journey and the studio has been an illuminating, healing space I've returned to time and time again in times of loss, grief or failure. Alongside dancing every free moment, I spent 10 years working across various charities, social enterprises and local Government, ranging from being an Asylum Caseworker to an LGBTQ programme lead. I had always known I would work for social good and initially approached this through tackling pressing social issues and campaigning for change. Over time I learnt that my unique gift was curating aspirational and uplifting safe spaces where people could connect, grow and heal. I transitioned into inclusive dance teaching and became a resident producer for DanceWest, curating innovative dance initiatives that supported communities in need. In 2018 I launched London Ballet Classes - an adult ballet school on a mission to support people to self-actualise, grow in confidence and experience community and connection through the medium of movement. This is now a thriving holistic dance school with several permanent teachers, numerous guest artists and multiple programmes delivered across London and online every week. 

Why work with the body? 

Though I had come a long way in befriending my body, I remained trapped in many of my habitual behaviours and mindsets. It was during 2020, when I experienced a prolonged and unexplained episode of chronic pain and inflammation, that I turned in desperation to deeper body work. There were no clear medical explanations for why my rheumatoid factor was so high, why I had broken out in numerous unexplained skin conditions and why I had one form of autoimmune dysfunction after another. I also began to experience phantom pain at sites of previous surgical trauma and the doctors didn’t know hot to help me. My body was not happy and I knew on a deep level that the chronic stress, fatigue and hyper-vigilance was catching up with me. It had left my nervous system in a state of dysregulation that I couldn't simply think myself out of.

I began deepening my exploration of somatic techniques and therapies, delving into everything from Somatic Experiencing to EMDR.  The changes I needed were finally made possible only because I discovered the missing piece - my body. Though there had been so much cognitive growth and evolution over the past decade, my body had been left behind. Now I was closing the gap and I was amazed at how quickly things changed. Problems I had spent years trying to eradicate or overcome (procrastination, poor boundaries or low motivation) began to melt away, seemingly overnight.

In addition to my physical health challenges during that year, I had experienced a difficult break-up and my close friend and sister were battling cancer. 2020 passed with me mostly locked down in complete isolation and, like many small business owners, I was struggling to survive the pandemic. Yet, I recall this time as one of relative peace and joy. The somatic work I committed to had changed something in me; finally I had cultivated a sense of safety and my capacity and tolerance had grown. My perception of life felt stretched; somehow I was able to hold space for all the magical, small moments of simple happiness alongside the big worries and loss. Amidst the chaos of one of the most challenging years of my life, I remembered what it meant to be playful, spontaneous and creative.

Of course, this kind of remembering is an ongoing journey. Healing is not a destination - transmuting difficult emotions or experiences is a perpetual ongoing task because life will continue to throw us curveballs. But I now had the tools to navigate these hardships as gracefully as possible. I once again felt open to life and it’s possibilities. In late 2020 I certified as a yoga and breathwork teacher with the Kashish school in Goa, India and began curating virtual trauma, informed, somatic yoga sessions. I knew I wanted to combine various holistic movement practices with my fascination in neuroscience and the latest research on polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation. Everything fell into place when in 2022, I was lucky enough to secure a scholarship with The Somatic School to complete my Somatic coach training.

What is my life like now? 

I've been a digital nomad since late 2021. I've been travelling with my partner whilst pursuing further training, finalising my research into somatic interventions for minority and marginalised communities and more recently, coaching! During this time I have lived in Mexico, Greece, Australia, Columbia, Hungary, Turkey and New York. I've been so privileged to delve into the ancient, spiritual healing practices across various cultures and to continue to learn from people from all walks of life - from Temazcal ceremonies in Santa Marta (Mexico) to cold water immersions in Antioquia (Colombia). Whether mud-bathing in the dead sea, participating in Ecstatic Dance sessions, tea ceremonies or forest bathing - it's been an unforgettable journey!

Travelling whilst studying and running a successful, meaningful, people-centred business has been a lifelong dream of mine, but I wouldn't have been able to do it a few years ago because of my anxiety and need for control. Somatic work enabled me to finally establish body-led boundaries with work and loved ones so that I had the energy to make this possible - all whilst being deeply loving, generous and compassionate to those around me. I now have enough inner stability to go with the flow of life - to navigate change and gracefully accept the inevitable uncertainty and setbacks. My life is not perfect and nor am I, but I am mostly content, aligned with my purpose and vision and able to serve. I live in harmony with nature and am good friends with my body. It continues to let me know when I get off track and I’m better at receiving the signals and feedback and making changes in a timely way. Leaning into my intuition and innate wisdom has truly softened my experience of life, I’m less focused on controlling things and more set on enjoying them. Whilst it has taken such a long time to get here, I know with complete conviction that my journey to this point has only made it all the sweeter! 

Work with me!

I specialise in delivering holistic, nuanced and personalised coaching sessions which utilise various movement practices and somatic methodologies. Given my ten year background in community engagement and cultural programming, I incorporate my extensive professional experience into my practice to promote cross-cultural dialogue and learning - both for intercultural couples and families and for organisations. My goal is to promote more authentic, vulnerable and honest connection, with our own bodies and with one another. I believe this is the key to elevating global empathy and wellbeing. One of my key specialisations is supporting individuals overcome the complex trauma resulting from cultural clash and identity confusion. And of course I support anyone looking to simply deepen their connection to their body and innate wisdom. I want to help you to reignite your inner spark and zest for life. You deserve to live a playful, passionate and purpose-driven life, even if you feel you are embarking on it well into adulthood.

Get in touch with me to work together!