A little bit about me

From an early age, I was taken to and by dance.
I had the great privilege, as a young child, of going to the ballet at Covent Garden for free, as my dad was a graphic designer and created their programmes. I saw classic ballets like Swan Lake, performed by some of the greatest soloists. It truly sparked my imagination, and I went on to take ballet lessons at junior school. By the end of juniors, I was apparently “too tall,” so I could not continue, and my confidence was crushed—as if tall people couldn’t dance! However, at secondary school, I loved the freedom of modern dance, and I also learned Scottish country dance and basic ballroom dancing.

The 1960s brought a very different kind of dancing, and I experienced what it was like to be totally at one with the music—”being danced,” as it were. Also, during the ’60s, our family would go on holiday to Spain in our camper van and take part in the local fiestas, often being drawn in by the locals to dance their Catalan dance, the Sardana (not an easy dance, I might add!).

After school, I became an art student for five years, and dance didn’t really feature in my life. Then, in the 1980s, I was diagnosed with early signs of cancer, which changed everything. I began exploring alternatives to surgery, including colour healing, acupuncture, homeopathy, and psychotherapy.

I knew I was searching for change and purpose. As part of my healing journey, a healer guided me through some visualisations, where I found myself watching, with delight, people dancing in a circle. These images came from within me, and I had no clue what they meant, leaving me perplexed. However, I picked up a brochure from the healer about the Findhorn Foundation and applied to go on a healing workshop, preceded by an experience week. Little did I know that a new life was about to begin, and that dance was coming back into it—big time!

During that experience week, I danced an introduction to sacred dance with Anna Barton, and suddenly, the penny dropped! It was wonderful—I felt connected to my body, the earth, the cosmos, and the circle of dancers. Most importantly, I felt at one with myself. In that moment, I realised—this is what I wanted to do!

In 1983, I returned to Findhorn to take a three-week training course in sacred/circle dance with Anna Barton. At the time, this kind of dancing was almost unheard of in the north of England. Although I would have liked to stay at Findhorn, and despite not seeing myself as a teacher, I had a vision that I must sow the seeds of this dance.

I was desperate to dance more—it was either travel up to Findhorn or down south to learn from inspiring teachers like Colin Harrison, David Roberts, or June Watts. Eventually, in 1986, I started teaching in Leeds, where I lived at the time, on a regular basis. I travelled throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, Newcastle, Lancaster, and southwest Scotland, leading regular or one-off groups, supported by the Enterprise Allowance Scheme. I received £50 a week for a year! I was truly sowing the seeds of the dance, and it felt like exactly the right place and time—it was very exciting.

(Unbeknownst to me at the time, there were a few others in Sheffield, Chester, and Liverpool also starting out—the hundredth monkey effect in action!)

Around this time, I was also declared free from cancer.

I am still sowing the seeds of the dance and tending to the mature plants. Some of those I taught are now teaching others. Still on a quest for growth and change, I had my first taste of the Alexander Technique in 1988, through a trainee. I was intrigued by her poise and knew I wanted to know more. She was training in Kendal under Don Burton. I attended a course for the public there and immediately realised how much I had to learn—or unlearn!—from this inspiring, holistic teacher.

So, in 1992, I began a three-year training course in the Alexander Technique. The course was both creative and challenging, weaving together anatomy, voice work, autobiographical writing, contact improvisation, creative arts, performance arts, chakra (energy system) work, and meditation, all interwoven with Alexander’s basic principles.

My body unfolded and opened. I discovered a new strength in my spine, my back, and myself. I was both grounded and uplifted at the same time. I emerged as an occasional singer, performing with circle dance bands. I began integrating Alexander principles into my dance teaching and started offering one-to-one Alexander lessons. I also enjoyed blending Alexander work and circle dance more deeply in certain workshops.

During my Alexander training, I learned about Reiki healing. I completed Levels 1 and 2, followed by my Master level. This brought further healing and learning for myself and enabled me to offer others this deeply restorative space.

In my dance work, my greatest passion is Eastern European and Romani (Gypsy) dances—my thanks to Laura Shannon. This passion was likely deepened by a dance course and a wonderful trip to Bulgaria in 1991, which I will always remember: dancing outdoors in the mountains, the music and singing, the costumes and rituals, the landscape…

I also love celebrating the Celtic festivals throughout the year, incorporating simple ceremonies. I enjoy including live music, dancing outdoors, themes inspired by the elements, chakras, women’s dances, fast and wild dances, and deeply meditative ones. It’s about creatively weaving together all my trainings and passions into something unique.

One of my most recent dreams was to take a group of dancers to Greece—a place I love—to dance. I fulfilled this dream twice on the island of Aegina, near Athens. I had planned to go to the beautiful Pelion region (east of Athens) in 2020, but alas, COVID-19 put an end to that. However, I hope to go next year in September—if you’re interested, get in touch!

The Alexander Technique allows me to work with this simple yet profound method of personal transformation. I have worked with musicians, pregnant women, people with neck, back, shoulder, or arm issues, and those seeking growth and change in their lives. I witness pain, tension, and unhelpful habits fall away. I see ease, strength, and lightness take their place.