About me
I was born and grew up in Brazil. I came to the UK in 1988, and I currently live and work in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Theatre
While living in Brazil I trained in physical theatre and dance. It was through participating in physical theatre and working with various theatre directors that I started to become more aware of my body. In 1988 I left Brazil and came to England to study physical theatre with Desmond Jones. Although this was interesting and inspiring, I came to realise that my calling lay elsewhere.
Shiatsu (bodywork)
From 1998 I studied Shiatsu (Japanese massage) for 3 years and Kitaido (a form of martial arts) for 6 years in London with Senzei Ken Waight, the internationally known Shiatsu practitioner, acupuncturist and founder of Kitaido. Kitaido is a type of martial arts based on developing and becoming aware of body energies such as Ki (or Chi). It is a beautiful movement thereapy, often practiced outdoors in nature. It opened my body and mind in a myriad of ways for which I am still very grateful.
Zen Buddhist meditation
Inspired by my Shiatsu teachers, who all practiced Zen Buddhist meditation, I went on my first Zen Buddhist retreat in 1999. It was led by Tenshin Fletcher Roshi, Abbot of Yokoji Zen Mountain Center in the US, and trained in the White Plum lineage by Maezumi Roshi. It was a challenging experience that opened my eyes, and brought intense moments of joy, peace and heart expansion. The world took on a different hue, and everything felt so alive, which contrasted with my life at the time, and helped me to bring about the change I needed.
Shiatsu for Pregnancy (bodywork)
As a result of my experience of pregnancy and giving birth at home in 2001, I trained in Shiatsu for Pregnancy in 2002 with the excellent and inspiring Suzanne Yates at her Well Mother Clinic in Bristol. This work, which sometimes took me to hospitals with clients, gave me a deeper awareness of the many issues and challenges faced by women during pregnancy and labour, particularly in hospital.
Craniosacral therapy (bodywork)
During my pregnacy I received craniosacral treatments, which made me curious as it was the most relaxing treatment I had ever experienced, and helped to release trauma energy which was trapped in my body. I trained for 2 years in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy at the Cranial Therapy Educational Trust (CTET) in London from 2005 to 2007, which was very important in my development both as a person and as a therapist.
Vipassana meditation
Meditation continued to be an important source of peace and inspiration in my life, and I continued to practice Zen meditation. In 2014 I came across Vipassana meditation, which is similar but subtly different to Zen, and I started attending 10 day Vipassana meditation retreats, which I continue to do once a year. It is a real gift to have a space to be in silence and get to know oneself.
Tantra
I started Tanta training in 2011 when I enrolled in an experiential year's training with Ma Ananda Sarita, working with the energies of the 7 Chakras. In 2012 I attended a workshop on the spritual and sacred aspects of sexuality with the amazing Shakti Malan, which culminated in 13 months training online and in person between 2014 to 2015. Part of the work involved exploring my own sexuality using process work, a creative way of working which brings awareness of our inner and outer worlds involving practiced meditation, guided imagery and dancing.
Women's sexuality workshops
Between 2014 and 2019 I developed and ran a series of workshops for women about sexuality and healing, in London, Brazil and New Zealand. The theme was exploring the energy fields of sexuality using the beautiful touch of craniosacral therapy.
Psychotherapeutic counselling (Psychosynthesis)
To complement my bodywork therapy, between 2016 to 2019 I did a PGDip in Psychotherapeutic counselling with The Psychosynthesis Trust in London. This was excellent training which has complemented my bodywork.
