Profile
Since the late 1980’s I have undertaken numerous trainings in a variety of approaches to working with the body. This investigation was spurred on by a desire to both understand myself and heal my own body from various ailments. I found that natural therapies, yoga and meditation were keys to my own physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
I was drawn to meditation and Buddhism whilst in Asia in 1992. I tried several approaches to meditation before I found a practice that suited me. I practise insight (vipassana) meditation from the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The simplicity of the practice - investigating the here-and-now experience through cultivating mindfulness and concentration - resonated profoundly with me. I am particularly interested in Stephen Batchelor's enquiries into Buddhism and recently attended a fantastic study retreat with him and Martine Batchelor. I regularly attend meditation retreats, usually with Bhante Bodhidamma, who teaches the Mahasi style of vipassana at Satipanya Buddhist retreat centre in Wales.
I qualified as a reflexologist in 1994, with the Philip Salmon School in London. Upon graduating, I worked for the Association of Reflexologists. This gave me privileged insight into the reflexology world. At this time I also worked for the Dolphin House Children’s Clinic, Brighton, treating babies and children with reflexology and set up my own private reflexology practice for adults.
I began practising yoga in 1995 and was delighted to find great teachers on my doorstep, namely Liz Warrington, Gary Carter and Pete Blackaby. These teachers introduced me to a way of practising yoga that was pioneered by Vanda Scaravelli.
In 2000, I studied at Vivekananda (sVYASA) and Satyananda yoga ashrams in Bangalore, India. Upon my return to Brighton, I began a yoga teacher-training programme with John Stirk and Sophy Hoare. I also obtained a City and Guilds teaching certificate. Over the past few years, I have worked mainly with Diane Long and, more recently, with Sandra Sabatini and Pete Blackaby.
In 2008, I completed a Certificate in Humanistic Counselling at the Gestalt Centre, London. This has sharpened my listening skills and helped me to become more keenly aware of how we can relate creatively to the present moment. This course sparked a new way of expressing myself and I am now undertaking a fine arts training.
I draw on this breadth of experience to inform both my teaching and treatments.