How did I get here? Honestly, I do not know. A younger me dreamt of chasing volcanoes and single-handedly saving the world…And then I hit my mid 40’s a little lost.

Luckily, I stumbled across a mindfulness app called Headspace – I was intrigued. One thing led to another and I found myself studying for a Master’s Degree in Mindfulness and Compassion. The icing on the cake – a whole unit that delved into the world of Yoga.
The course nourished me in so many unexpected ways.

I recall, with great detail, the moment I found myself sitting on a yoga mat being lead through a yoga sequence by a course lecturer.  The room, a mocked-up hospital ward for trainee nurses. Sinks on walls, soap dispensers and hospital curtains as furnishings – no delicate lighting nor incense wafting through the air! The tutor, however, compensating for such an alternative setting, guided us slowly through our postures, his voice calm and soothing and he used terms and words I understood. I was blown away. I walked away from that lecture knowing I wanted to teach yoga!
The course carried on giving.

A year later and I am passionately completing my final project, a subject I never saw coming. How is mindfulness practised in woodland settings? A whole new world opens up to me. I realise that nature connection and mindfulness are powerfully beautiful allies!

I now knew my path forward; I knew I wanted to help people and I knew what I had to do…
But the universe has its own plans and its very own agenda. Within a month of finishing my studies and just before I embarked on a Forest Bathing course, both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer. My ambition to help others was put on hold as I needed to support my parents with their challenges.

The next couple of years were challenging. Yet I knew how blessed I was – I had mindfulness in my life, offering me pockets of calmness and a space in which I could become grounded. I was still able to find time to connect with nature, reminding me that beauty existed when things in my life were not pretty. And I found a yoga teacher, who unbeknownst to her, offered healing and comfort through the toughest of times.
A few years on, life has changed and my journey continues. I am privileged in so many ways and have so many things to be grateful for.

Privileged to be able to help others find moments of calmness, happiness and joy in a busy and frantic world. Grateful for the gifts that I have and the love that I can share.
An older me still dreams of chasing volcanoes but sadly now I am a tad more realistic about single-handedly saving the world!