Me- Who am I?
Welcome- in whatever way you have landed here I thank you for your visit :) I will try to put into words a bit about me…
Who am I? This is a way harder question than I thought!
I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunty, cousin, friend. I have been a teacher, office worker, student (always a student!), space holder and now stepping into this space of healing mahi(work).
I grew up in Whangarei, New Zealand, Aotearoa with my parents , sister, and 2 brothers. I currently live in Pataua, Whangarei with my husband and 2 of our 4 grown children. My ancestors I have met and known from stories have all been born here in Aotearoa, but originally my ancestors hailed from Scotland and Ireland. I am yet to learn their stories.
Outside in nature is where I love to be. I have a deep connection to the spaces in and around where I have grown.
Parihaka Maunga(mountain) is the place where my heart feels at peace, where I feel connected to my roots. And the gentle Hatea Awa (river) which flows beneath it soothes my soul and reminds me that all is connected and to go with the flow. And now living in Pataua I am lucky enough to be able to walk the beach, swim in the ocean, listen to the waves and the birds, and look at Pataua mountain every single day.
I don’t have strong memories of big things in my childhood but in my life I have experienced the common challenges of growing up, navigating friendships, parenthood and relationships and day to day life. I have experienced trauma, chronic illness, extreme pain, depression and fatigue. I have struggled with self sabotage, finding my voice, being seen. I have hurt, and been hurt. I have judged and been judged. I have tried and failed. I have tried and succeeded. I have been there for myself and others, and at times I have not been there enough or done enough. I have trusted, and I have doubted. I struggle sometimes with boundaries, self discipline, being around conflict, speaking my truth and standing up in my own self.
All of these experiences have, and do, teach me things ….all…the…time!
Along this journey, through my own healing, I have experienced many modalities and a growing knowing within my cells that physical, sensory, emotional shock and trauma is stored or held in the body. And that with courage to face and sit with what comes up as it is released or acknowledged, comes peace, and space, and growth, and so much love and compassion for self and humanity.
It is only when we accept where we are, right now, for all that it is and is not, that we can experience change. This requires courage, vulnerability, often despair, surrender. Healing is not always a pretty journey. I have experienced what feels like instant miraculous insights or relief of pain that transforms me immediately, and I have experienced complete unravelling and messy-ness, and even pain, that lasts for a short time or a long time and my body and being finds a way to integrate and settle into new ways of being.
All of this informs my practice. Holding a safe and sacred space, honoring you and all that you bring. Just you, as you are, in this moment. I believe we all have an innate knowing of what we need for our highest good, but pain and life’s challenges can sometimes overwhelm our ability to connect with that inner wisdom.
I look forward to walking this healing journey with you!
