The Brave Space

01/08/2025

Life Upgrades!

There hasn't been much action on this page lately - but I wanted to reassure you that I'm still here!

This term I am immersed in more training (professional and life training! 😉 ), with the intention of returning to teaching in October.

As you probably know by now, my own life journey with "anxiety" and "depression" led me to develop a passion for the mental (and emotional + spiritual) health of young people - physical health is actually a (very welcome) byproduct of what we do at The Brave Space. 🙂

This personal experience gives me greater depth of compassion and understanding, and helps me relate to the kids from a place of authenticity. Above all, I strive to foster a safe and nurturing space where children feel seen and have the opportunity to express themselves freely. It's a grounding anchor - a place to pause, connect and belong, amidst the hustle and bustle of modern-day human/kid life.

As I continue to learn and grow, my Kids Wellbeing Program evolves too. I'm excited to be refining it further this term, with the goal of catering for children from Year 4 up to Year 8 (roughly 8 - 13 yrs) when classes recommence.

Please note that our classes are not only for children who may be struggling. All children can benefit and learn valuable tools to help them navigate the ups and downs of life.

If you have any specific questions or would like to register your interest for Term 4, please message me here or email thebravespacenz@gmail.com.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this initiative to Help Kids Thrive!

Arohanui,
Amy

17/07/2025

For parents who are considering The Brave Space for their child - this latest feedback gives you an indication of what goes on and some of the benefits. It’s much more than a fun and welcoming place to hang out after school.

Thank you K.O. for sharing your daughter’s experience so eloquently! These words are so motivating and validating as a teacher. 🙏💕

12/07/2025

“The Brave Space clears your head of thoughts that don't matter and allows you to make new friends." ~ Maddie, 8 yo 🤗

08/07/2025

What the Mumma Bears are saying. Thank you for your beautiful words, Mel. Truly humbled.

(Melissa's 8-year-old daughter attended The Brave Space over Term 1 and 2 of 2025.)

06/07/2025

Hey Parents & Caregivers,

If you’re looking for a wholesome and creative experience for the kids in this last week of the holidays, I highly recommend the brand new school holiday program run by Whakatane Kiwi Trust. I took my 8 year old last week and she LOVED it.

Helen (Education Coordinator) is super passionate about our native taonga and has a wealth of knowledge to share.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Vgm1vtZNd/?mibextid=wwX

🌿 SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN with the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust! 🥝

Join us at the brand new Kiwi Hub
📍 Whakatāne i-SITE Visitor Centre

🗓 Dates:

Monday 7th July
Thursday 10th July

🕙 Time: 10:00am – 12:00 noon
💰 Cost: $5 per child – Pay on entry (EFTPOS available)

🌱 What’s Happening?
Come along for a Kiwi Kōrero – a fun, interactive session learning about the amazing Whakatāne Kiwi Project, then enjoy some or all of these nature-inspired activities:

🎨 Watercolour Nature Art
📚 Bookmark Crafting
🍁 Autumn Leaf Mobiles or kites
🧘 Mindfulness Nature Colouring
* Dissecting raptor pellets
📖 Relaxing Book Readings

🧒 Ages 5–10 years
🎟️ Bookings essential – spaces are limited!

✨ Come along for a morning of creativity, discovery and kiwi fun!
📧 To book, email: education@whakatanekiwi.org.nz

25/06/2025

Don’t be a Cry Baby 💔

Love some input here from our parents and wider community. What is something you were told as a young person that caused you to downplay, suppress or hide your feelings? Men, women - share your experience. We’re rewriting the script and empowering tamariki to harness the gift of their emotional waves and release them in a healthy & enjoyable way! 💪🙌

23/06/2025

Perhaps the Biggest Mountain To Climb Yet!

It was hard to get up this morning.

Two weeks ago I began the painstakingly slow process of coming off psych medication that was first prescribed to me 25 years ago. I was a university student, dealing with various, normal life pressures… now I’ve been taking a pharmaceutical drug “to reduce depression and/or anxiety” FOR OVER HALF MY LIFE. Let that sink in. Wtf.

It was prescribed in 10 minutes. There was no discussion of how my then lifestyle could be contributing to how I was feeling. Or the side effects of the meds. Or how difficult they would be to come off. According to the family GP, an imbalance in my brain chemistry was responsible. Period.

Fastforward to 2025. Oh the things I have learned, the hard way!! 😅 (Sounds like a Dr Seuss book 😂)

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve attempted to stop this stuff. Each time the withdrawal effects have been so severe I gave up. In 2020, without adequate support, my attempt (and let’s be honest, it was a sh of a year anyway!) lead to a breakdown and a visit to the psych ward. That was memorable.

This time… this time it’s going to be different. I’m older, wiser and on the other side of a break through. I have more knowledge and a support structure in place. I’ve done my own research and found a compounding pharmacy to prepare incrementally smaller amounts of the meds so I don’t have to spend hours crushing and weighing like a drug dealer (been there, done that).

Of course there are still withdrawal effects, after so many years. It’s a roller coaster… but one I’m prepared to ride, because who am I without this medication? I don’t even know.

I do know it’s time to find out. For me. For my daughter. For everyone who’s “stuck” on medication they would rather be without.
And I will draw on all my experiences, resources, networks and tools to get there - if it takes the rest of my life.

Ps. Here’s a shell I found on our local beach this morning, while walking off the fatigue, haze, the headache, the dizziness, the freakin’ nightmares & the spiralling thoughts.

Move gently in the world my friends. We never know what the person next to us is going through.

Pps. This personal journey lead to my desire to work in the kids and youth mental health space, and the creation of The Brave Space. There’s a place for meds - undoubtably, but please be fully informed before you take them. Or give them to your kids. Maybe they just need to go climb a tree.

Ppps. I’m (finally!) starting an online peer support group for people on the same journey (coming off an SSRI). Holler if you’d like to be part of it!

With love & courage,
Amy x

23/06/2025

On Saturday I followed my excitement…. & found myself celebrating the Winter Solstice in this beautiful Belle tent, cosily ensconced between two big ol’ walnut trees! 🌳

I want to acknowledge and thank Sarah Spence (musician), Nicola Rose Gibbons (sound healer) and Ruth Holden (sound healer) for seamlessly weaving together their musical magic and co-creating a truly epic day of:

💃 Dance - Five Rhythms, barefoot on the grass!
🎤 Kirtan - the music aspect of yoga
🎶 Harmonic Voice & Toning Exercises
💕Sound Healing
⭐️Intention Setting
🧘‍♀️ Ceremony
🫶Community

What a privilege it is to be part of this powerful global movement to create Heaven on Earth. 🌎

Questions to Ponder

What are you feeling drawn to create as our days begin to lengthen again? Is it time to try something new, or join a new group or community? What seeds are you planting for the coming 12 months? 🌱🌱🌱

As I love to share with the kids at The Brave Space, we are powerful, divine, creator beings who get to choose what we focus on, and the experience we wish to have in the world.
This is well worth remembering when the external stage gets a bit loud and crazy! 🤪 😉

Have a joyous day beautiful whanau 🧚‍♂️

19/06/2025

Kia Ora The Brave Space Community!

As we approach the end of another term I am struggling to put into words what I have witnessed and experienced as a guide and space holder for 9 incredible young ladies, age 8-11 years, over the past couple of months. I’m so proud of them all for showing up and journeying with me, allowing me to share my knowledge & passion for the wellbeing of tamariki. I’m also grateful for all they have taught me as I continue to evolve in my capacity as an holistic mind-body-spirit mentor for youth.

Two years on from that first kids’ yoga class back in 2023, my excitement for this space is not waning. In fact, I’m feeling more inspired than ever and have plans to weave more of the following into my mahi moving forward:

💃 Sacred Dance - a place for spontaneous, free flowing self-expression;
🌳 Guided Nature Connection experiences.
🧘 Spirituality

This is not something I have strategically planned or thought up in my head… rather, I am responding to the nudges of my soul.

It seems my higher self is also encouraging me to take some time off from teaching next term to dive into an incredible course called “The Intuitive Tapping Process”, devised by the one-and-only Gilly Godward - Intuitive Mentor & Energy Healer. This is powerful work that expands on what I’m offering currently, and will allow me to deliver even more value to the children I serve.

Teaching will resume in Term 4.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this initiative to help kids fly.

Amy xx

18/06/2025

A Soul Guide! That’s me 💫

16/06/2025

IMO, the most important gift we can share with children and teens is how to access and trust in their own innate knowing. Of course it helps if we practice this ourselves!