I was eighteen when I had my
first spiritual encounter with a swami. Krishna Murti had came to England to
give a talk at his school in Hampshire. I was impressed by his presence and knowledge, there seemed an inner recognition
within me to all that he spoke about and which I could identify with. Yet I put to the back of my mind as I got on with
my life, marrying and having children.
The years that followed I gained my BA degree in Social Sciences with the Open University,
received training in counselling and person-centred art therapy which I put into practice. I like being part of a community
and am keen to be involved so I have done voluntary work, in particular I was a voluntary youth worker for ten years. It was
only when my children become less dependent that I realised an unmet creative longing within me, with the help of counselling
I started art classes and later through my spiritual teacher also took creative writing courses.
I first started yoga classes over twenty five
years ago. With a young family I was looking for some form of exercise and yoga appealed because it incorporated
movement, stretches, breathing, relaxation and meditation all in one go. At first I found it difficult to achieve the
postures and often after a session I would feel quite ill, as the toxins were being released from my body but I always felt
the benefit. My body increased in strength and flexibility, over the years I was able to relax more. This was deepened
into learning about meditation, which is close to my heart. It would take a long time to list the many benefits I have
received and it is that which has encouraged me to share it with others and teach. For the last couple of years I have
practiced yoga on my own daily and find it takes no effort to do so, my body naturally wishes to do it, that is the beauty
of yoga – no effort.
As
Patanjali says “after all that”, my life had been fulfilling yet there was something missing and
it was a process of recognising that my spiritual side had been unacknowledged, this started an inner journey which opened
a whole new chapter in my life. I decided to write a book on this process, calling it Hidden Path.
It was a house move that
brought me to the yoga teacher that changed my life. I enjoyed her
style of yoga whereby she encouraged a deepening of one’s spiritual side. During the yoga postures themselves I
became more aware of the space and silence that surrounded them. I attended the classes the teacher gave in studying
the ancient vedic texts and practising meditation. She regularly held retreats and it was on one of these I met my spiritual
guide in 1997. He is a sanskrit scholar of thirty five years experience, who was well versed in the ancient texts, both
knowledgeable and compassionate. He has gently guided and supported me on my spiritual journey.
It was in his presence that I experienced satoori
for the first and only time. It was an unexpected opening of such beauty that I find words are unable to express
its magnificence. It was awe inspiring and started the real quest for enlightenment and set me off on my spirtual path. My
yoga teacher also introduced me to an Indian Swami who ran an ashram in the countryside nearby, which we regularly went for
satsang.
2001 saw
me going out to Greece for my first yoga two-week holiday on the island of Lesvos. The teacher had been
taught by Iyenar himself and I was also introduced to Astanga yoga there, it was the first time I had done yoga so intensively.
The result was that
my kundali energy was awakened, although I did not know it was that at the time. I was also fortunate
to meet and be taught by an Ishaya monk who introduced me to their teachings.
As my interest in meditation grew I attended Buddhist meditation and
qi gong classes locally. I have also learnt to incorporate standing meditations in my Tai Chi, which I have been practising
for four years. This all lead to a greater understanding of spiritual energy. I am always eager to open out my knowledge
and am keen to learn from spiritual teachers past and present.
As I researched energy and yoga on the Internet, I came into contact with Energy
Enhancement and Swamis Satchidanand and Devi Dhyani, I felt drawn to them and booked my first course
with them in Spain for two weeks in 2003. It took two years before I went back to complete the course in Argentina in
2005. Encouraged by the results of the course I returned to Spain to learn teacher training for yoga and energy enhancement
meditation initiations, as well as completely retaking the whole course. I was very pleased that my husband accompanied
me and took part in the first week of the meditation course.
Swami Devi Dhyani initiated me into levels 1 and 2 of reiki then mastership
during the time I spent with them. Reiki gave me such wonderful experiences that I wish to share with others and
I now give treatments and initiations.
Throughout the interim years I continued meditating and meeting with my spiritual teacher. I
also started learning Sanskrit (2003) in order to read the ancient texts for myself. It was with my teacher's encouragement
that I started giving meditation classes in 2005.
2006 starting teaching meditative yoga.
Giving talks and workshops on meditation
2007 Self published a book about my spiritual journey
called 'Hidden Path'.
2007 Teaching sanskrit at the Patanjali Centre for Classical
Yoga in Battle
2009 Self healing classes started
Writing
new book new book called 'Sowing Seeds' for spiritual growth,
based on teachings received, my own studies and practice.
2010 Yoga and Anatomy Course for Yoga Teachers with
Gary Carter
covering
the anatomy of movement and space within the body
It has been a journey of self-discovery,
personally working on dissolving my ego and encouraging my spiritual awakening. It is an ongoing learning process whereby
I keep my mind open. There is an inner knowing that dwells within each of us which acknowledges Truth and this inner
knowing is the hand that guides me. I find the more you know the less you know and I continually enjoying reading past
and modern texts to widen my knowledge. The Gita, Upanishads, Patanjali, Swamis Rama/ Satchidananda/ Ramana Maharshi/Osho
up to the present day Eckhart Tolle (whom I see when he speaks in England). They are all there to give a helping hand,
to encourage and support on ones spiritual journey, their teachings carry down through the ages. That is why I have declared
to be on a spiritual journey, I wish to encourage others to acknowledge their spiritual side. Not just to pay lip service
to it but do something about it – change your life, live it.
QUALIFICATIONS

2005
Teacher Training Energy Enhancement Level One
Energy Enhancement Yoga Teacher Training Year One
Energy Enhancement Levels 1-4
Reiki Master Level 1-3
1997
Post certificate in Person Centred Art Therapy
Health Education Authority – Helping People Change
1996
Certificate In Person Centred Art Therapy
Health Promotion West Sussex – Working with Groups
Leading
effective groups
1995
Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Therapy, certificate of study
Cruse Bereavement Training
1991
West Sussex County Council Counselling Phase III
1990
Bachelor of Arts Degree
with The Open University covering:
Introduction to Psychology
Sociology
Social sciences foundation course
Social problems and social welfare
The handicapped person in the community
Working with children and young people
Living with technology
1980
Youth Worker Phase 1
EXPERIENCE
2005-present
teaching meditation, yoga, reiki and sanskrit
Counselling
& person centred art therapy experience
Alpha Project –
mentally ill in the community
Private clients
GP Surgery
ASBAH – physically disabled living in the community
Cruse bereavement
Information Shop for young people
Voluntary
work
Youth Worker
Village Action Plan – publicity,
research and events
Fundraising for Leisure Centre
Community events
Community care