(A bit) About me
Drawing on my experience and expertise in clear and conscientious communications, as well as wise speech and creative expression, I support people to capture and articulate their stories in a meaningful and authentic way.
I work with individuals and organisations in the NGO sector, specifically human rights and refugee/asylum advocacy, academia, mental health awareness and recovery, environmental science and the arts, to name a few. As a freelance writer, I also contribute to various print and online publications in a journalistic capacity.
As a mentor, writing coach and teacher, I provide group and 1:1 personalised practices to people who are in one form of recovery or another, largely from all too human unhelpful thought patterns, cultural conditioning, the dehumanising culture of productivity, emotional exhaustion and mental overdrive.
All of my work draws on my ongoing personal and professional experience of learning, applying and sharing practices of mindful movement, skillful communication, introspection and expression.
My own, ongoing, experience and explorations of discovery and recovery has taught me several things: the value of disentangling from habits of striving, perfectionism, seeking and self-loathing; that life is a process to be navigated with all its undulations; the practices of observing the mind and working in the interests (rather than punitively resisting the changing rhythms of) the body, are best approached with an attitude of kindness, self acceptance and patience.
In other words, do it, feel it, allow for it, then let it be. In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:
"If we want to survive in our fast paced society that is overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, fear and despair, we have to learn how to deal with it...Thanks to the energy of mindfulness, concentration and insight, you can survive in a stressful, toxic environment and thanks to your understanding and compassion, you don't contribute to making it worse."
Question everything, that’s one of my core practices and the basis of my offerings – always consider; is this true, is this wise, does it help or does it harm, what difference will it make, is it necessary, can this be said or done with more compassion, who will be impacted, what’s the underlying intention and the motivation?
Over more than 20 years, this curious and critical nature has led me to work in journalism, human rights, environmental science, mental health awareness and recovery. As a writer, yoga facilitator and volunteer, I’m uplifted by working with organisations and individuals who want to challenge existing narratives and create meaningful change.
As part of my personal development and ongoing practice, I’ve spent many years engaging in contemplative practices, inspired and influenced by philosophical teachings and embodiment modalities, the Dharma/Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Contemplative/Reflective Writing and Yoga. At heart, my personal and professional process is shaped by a desire to explore, nurture, sustain and restore the relationships we have with ourselves, each other and our shared environment.
Inspiration & lifelong education
I share what I know to be true based on my physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological journey to develop a strong and flexible mind and body, that allows me to move through life’s challenges with confidence, equanimity and joy. Over 20+ years this has involved deepening my understanding of how the mind and body works, through multiple modalities and ongoing studies.
As well as my training as a journalist and lifetime’s commitment to evolving my understanding and application of the written and spoken word, I’ve devoted much of my energy to the matter of the mind, body and heart.
I’m not convinced by the patriarchal, Western, capitalist model of determining and measuring value on the basis of certificates and qualifications that are offered up by flawed systems with biased metrics. That said, I appreciate that they have currency, however inequitable and questionable that might be. I’m also part of said systems because I love to learn. I should also say I have had the pleasure of studying with some wonderful people. So many paradoxes. So, if it matters to you to know, my trainings in Yoga, Facilitation and Contemplative Writing include:
Contemplative Writing Facilitator Training, Herspiral Arts (2022)
Conscious Activism training, The OMpowerment Project (2020-2021)
Dharma studies, Tergar Institute & Meditation Community
Decolonising Yoga, Online Immersion, Sophia Ansari, Sattva Gaia (2020)
Luvena Rangel, Mantra & Meditation (2020 online)
Luvena Rangel, Ayurveda & Aromatherapy (2020 online)
Pivot into Equity via Dive in Well, Constanza Eliana Chinea & Maryam Ajayi (2020 online)
Yoga for Humankind, Community Facilitation (2020 online)
Honor Yoga’s Roots, Susanna Barkataki (2020 online)
Hala Khouri, How to Teach Yoga & Other Things During a Pandemic (2020 online)
Yin Yoga with Melanie Cooper, Bristol City Yoga (2020)
300-hour Advanced Teacher Training, Laura Gilmore, Bristol City Yoga (2019-2021)
200-hour YTT Hatha & Vinyasa, Blue Osa, Costa Rica (2018)