I always say my journey towards mindfulness teaching began about eight years ago, when I was handed circumstances for which I needed a new approach to life. However, its messages were things I sensed and knew to be true. A way of receiving our beautiful life with the joy of a child, and the wisdom of an adult. Mindfulness taught me to look at things again, to take the pause, and breathe, and allow the vulnerability that is essential for healing and grasping life in all its beautiful tragedy and joy.
My spirituality underpins my own practice, but it is important to understand mindfulness is not allied to any religion. The joy of the mindfulness path is it interconnects with all. No matter what your beliefs or non-beliefs, your values or needs, it is for everyone.
My first teacher in mindfulness was Tsokyni Rinpoche, and I went on to study the teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nat Han, Richard Rohr, Michael Singer, Tara Brach, Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, Jack Kornfield, Greg Boyle, Elizabeth Lesser, Sister Joan Chichester, Caroline Myss, Clarissa Pinkola Estes and Kristen Neff. I studied basic counseling skills, completed first level Reiki, and finally decided to commit to teaching mindfulness. So after completing my own 8-week course with Breath works, I went on retreat at Gaia House and finished my training with Mindfulness UK.