My Story
Observations of hundreds of bodies along with the need to preserve my own wellbeing and ability to continue with the work I love, has only served to increase my yearning to learn ways of understanding more about how these amazing bodies of ours work, and how to keep them well. I have a passion for posture and will do all in my ability to impart nuggets of knowledge that I have picked up on my path.
Very early in my career as a bodywork therapist I became painfully aware (literally) of my own postural imbalances. At that time I was invited to a djembe drumming workshop by a friend – I noticed how good I always felt following the workshop, somehow healed. I was hooked. It was a revelation to me to realise that deep meditation could be accessed through so much movement and sound. http://www.circlesofrhythm.com/blog/wp-content/…/The-Healing-Power-of-the-Drum.pdf
The postural awareness drumming inspired was compounded on trips to The Gambia for intensive training with djembe master Tomas Camara – I could not count how many times his voice would call out ‘Anne! Your right shoulder!’ ‘Anne, your left elbow!’ ‘Breathe!’ – Tomas, a true master of his art, opened the door to truly freeing the mind and body. I returned many times, to train with drummers, dancers and traditional West African masseurs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqtYNLTJmOw
Voluntary work is a very important and extremely rewarding part of my practise. I travelled to Jerusalem to take part in the Hamsa Project, offering healing bodywork to survivors of terrorist attacks. “This helped me more than an hour of psychotherapy” said one young woman. The manager of the centre asked “What are you doing to these people? They are floating out of your treatment rooms!” I have enjoyed giving service to hospice and cancer charities and to local community events.
Close to my heart are England’s summer festivals. Early experiences at gatherings of like-minded folk opened a door in my world to a sustainable, self-sufficient, sharing and survivalist way of life. For many years I have worked in exchange for the privilege to be part of many sustainable events, giving alternative technology demonstrations http://www.c-realevents.co.uk/, facilitating drumming workshops and performances, working in children’s areas or in information tents and providing massages in return for affordable donations in the healing fields of The Green Gathering and Glastonbury Festival, amongst others. http://www.greengathering.org.uk/health-healing/
“Take nothing but memories. Leave nothing but footprints.” Chief Seattle
“Sometimes give your services for nothing.” Hippocrates
“The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.” Lao Tzu;
“For it is in giving that we receive.” Francis of Assisi
I qualified in massage and reflexology in 1996. My passion for my work just grows with the passing of time.
I have trained and gained certification with ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council), GCP (Guild of Complementary Therapists, MSCM (Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine), SEED Institute, Lynne Booth founder of VRT, Gerry Puyves founder of No Hands Massage, LSCH (London School of Complementary Health), Paula Pluck’s SMART Foundations (Stress Management And Relaxation Techniques).
