About Michelle
As human beings, we are wired for movement, growth, and connection to community, nature, and our authentic self. Life is so much easier to navigate when we are attuned to our inner compass and follow its guidance rather than current socio-cultural ideals which tell us what we should be thinking, feeling, doing, having, consuming…
Everything I offer is an invitation for you to reconnect with who you most deeply are, to find your own voice, and to stand in the power of knowing that you are enough.
I’ve worked with many people in the last 22 years, initially as a massage therapist and yoga teacher in London, followed by various other locations before settling in Portugal in 2008 to build a retreat space. My personal and professional journeys have always been intertwined, and I’m so grateful for everything I’ve received from the many passionate teachers and facilitators who shared their wisdom so generously, and guided me on jounreys into the depths of my being.
The body continues to be a source of fascination and amazement for me. It has an incredible capacity to adapt to life’s circumstances; and what I noticed over and over again, was patterns of physical and emotional holding and constriction showing up, and the impact this had on people. On the flip side, facilitating retreats showed me how quickly the body will orient back to integrity and resilience, given the right conditions to do so. Hosting guests in the intimacy of a retreat setting also made me realise that trauma is part of the human condition, and the importance of recalibrating the nervous system to support lasting transformation.
So I followed my interests and took a deep dive into the fields of trauma healing and nervous system regulation as I feel this is what is most needed in the world, both individually and collectively. I continue to deepen my understanding in both of theses fields, which has led me to training in Somatic Experiencing®. SE® feels like a coming home - an alignment with my own embodied experience of the healing journey - as it recognises the existence of something deeper as the source of our resilience, let’s call it the organismic blueprint or the wholeness that we already are.
Whether you’re looking for practices to nourish you and support more resilience in your daily life, or are ready to turn towards the wounded parts of yourself to heal unresolved trauma, I look forward to sharing my skills and passion to help you start or continue your journey towards feeling more balanced, integrated, and inspired to enjoy life to full.
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible.”
— Audrey Hepburn