To those who seek to live a rich and meaningful life, this is my story and my devotional service:
I am a neurophysiologist (PhD), Jivamukti- inspired yoga teacher, integrative life coach, Tribal fusion belly dancer, Tantrika, and the creatrix of Shakti Alchemy Goddess Evolution. I am devoted to healing the womb/hara space, corresponding to the Svadhisthana (sacral) chakra, by fusing various healing modalities. In doing so, union between the divine feminine (Shakti) and masculine (Shiva) principles can be facilitated.
The sacral chakra is the temple for honouring the purity of sensual desires, creative thinking, joy, passion and pleasure, being guided by appropriate emotion, and maintaining positive relationships. It also provides a channel for moving energy toward higher states of consciousness. However, all human beings are subjected to adverse childhood experiences, which directly implicates the dark side of the sacral chakra: fear of engaging with people, addiction, giving up your own desires and inclination to please others, excessive need for validation or adulation, lacking purpose, co-dependency, jealousy and envy. In addition, the sacral chakra fuels unconscious mental and behavioural patterns (our shadow, the hidden aspects of our psyche). Therefore healing of the sacral chakra is not possible without doing shadow work. For objectives and rationale on shadow work, please see WHY SHADOW WORK?. My own journey with my sacral chakra warranted a tattoo on my back and evolved in the following ways:
I spent more than a decade in the world of the academia, where I obtained a doctorate in researching how childhood trauma/maltreatment and psychological disease manifest in the brain and the endocrine- and immune-systems. While maintaining much respect and admiration for the realm of Science, I have always felt that something was missing in this linear approach of investigation that ignores the more subtle expressions of life. This, in combination with receiving years of unsuccessful traditional psychotherapy - in an attempt to deal with my wounded relationship with the masculine - have led me to extend my research to the East and the esoteric.
I then consequently, alongside my studies, pursued a persistent passion for the ancient traditions of yoga, Vedic philosophy, Taoist ta**ra, womb wisdom and Buddhist mindfulness practices. In addition, I explored many dance forms, where I most resonate with the feminine art of pelvic floor–rooted dancing, especially in tribal fusion belly dancing. Within the scope of Jungian depth psychology, in my own personal so-called descent to the underworld, I also extensively explored how the unconscious mind works and influences the way we perceive reality, our beliefs, the choices we make, and the way we behave. This level of understanding was obtained by investigating the roles of mythology, symbolism and specific archetypes in the psyche. Taken together, in my alchemical journey, I found profound healing on a holistic level by drawing on all of the above lineages.
With the aim of helping others to heal to the extent that I have healed and integrated various aspects of myself, I completed a yoga teacher training course heavily based on Jivamukti yoga which embraces authentic Vedic discourse, and also trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is a mindfulness-and-values-based behaviour therapy. ACT is one of the recent mindfulness-based behaviour therapies where as of late 2014, over 100 randomized controlled trials show the effectiveness of ACT within a diverse range of clinical conditions. By combining the modalities of ACT, Internal Family Systems, yoga, Jungian psychology and myth, I created the Inner and Outer Alchemy method (TM) whereby one’s unconscious limiting beliefs are systematically rewritten to create one’s reality from a place of love, awareness and power. Furthermore, aimed specifically at women, I also combined my knowledge of chronobiology (how every system in the body has its own rhythm) with preserved womb wisdom predating the Patriarchal system (i.e., more than 5000 years ago) and Taoist ta**ra, in coaching on hormone balancing, using diet, sacred self-care and life-style recommendations that are in accordance with the lunar and menstrual cycles. For session information, products and events for women only, please see: WOMAN'S SESSIONS ; SHAKTI BOUTIQUE ; and EVENTS, respectively.
The philosophy of Jivamukti Yoga
Based on the foundations of Jivamukti, I teach from a place where yoga is much more than physical exercise to keep one’s body fit or to increase strength or flexibility; because the physical body represents all of our past thoughts, words and actions – including our relationships with others that have been left unresolved – with the asana practice we are working to resolve deep karmic issues and traumas, which have been lodged in the cells and tissues of our bodies. In addition to the vigorous vinyasa-based physical style, teachings adhere to five central tenets: shastra (the study of Vedic scripture), bhakti (devotional service through chanting and the setting of a high intention), ahimsa (non-harming, extending to all living beings and the environment), nāda (conscious music), and dhyana (meditation, connecting to that eternal unchanging reality within). Classes thereby facilitate a consistent, mutually beneficial, steady and joyful relationship to one-self, to all others and to something bigger than ourselves (based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra: sthira sukham asanam “The connection to the earth should be steady and joyful” PYS II.46). Classes also contain a dharma talk - a short but poignant philosophical discussion- where I endeavor to fuse my background in Western neuro-physiological research, with the Eastern teachings of the Vedas as well as mindfulness-based behaviour paradigm, relating it to the experience on the mat and beyond.
For offerings presented to both men and women, please see below:
Private sessions: (takes place either at Avalon Ashram, or in the comfort of your own home. The duration of all classes are 90 minutes, and classes are fairly intensive, largely “yang” in nature. Classes also consist of a 10-15 minute dharma talk - a short but poignant philosophical discussion. “Dharma” means “to uphold the truth, purpose & teachings” as well as be committed to it.):
Level 1 classes (Focus will be on safety and alignment, and making you more comfortable and familiar with common yoga postures): R600 at the studio, and R550 at your home, excluding traveling costs - plus R150 per extra person joining. A sliding scale can be arranged for follow-ups : session 2 at R570; session 3 at R540; session 4 at R510; session 5 at R480; session 6 at R450; session 7 at R420; session 8 at R390 (excluding traveling costs).
Level 2 Vinyasa classes (classes assume a working knowledge of yoga and proceed at a faster pace): R600 at the studio, and R550 at your home, excluding traveling costs - plus R150 per extra person joining. A sliding scale can be arranged for follow-ups (see above).
Package 1: Consists of 7, level 2 weekly classes, at R400 per class (excluding travel costs). The focus of each class will be on one of the seven chakras, with the dharma talk and asana practice adapted accordingly. The total package price of R 2800 can be paid in two installments.
Package 2: Consists of 5, level 2 weekly classes, at R400 per class (excluding travel costs). With each class’s dharma talk, (in addition to the asana practice), I teach a 5-step practice I have created - one step per class- ,fusing tools derived from ACT and depth psychology. With a strong basis in mythology, this “Inner and Outer Alchemy Practice” facilitates the systematic rewriting of one’s unconscious limiting beliefs/stories/schemas, to create one’s reality from a space of love, in line with your values and life purpose. For objectives and rationale, please see WHY SHADOW WORK?. The total package price of R 2000 can be paid in two installments.
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Whether it be through integrative yoga teachings, or shadow work, or mindfulness-based values aligned behavioural therapy, or healing of trauma wounds, or, specifically for women, Taoist ta**ra, hormone balancing and womb care, I am devoted to healing the womb/hara space with the purpose of facilitating union between the divine feminine (Shakti) and masculine (Shiva) principles in the inner marriage of yin and yang: to be both active and receptive, spiritual and soulfully embodied, autonomous and intimate, to work and to love.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.” )
