from a tiny seed

Hello beauties,

Wow, so this Sunday, I held my very first 'Cacao Ceremony and Flow Dance Meditation' event. Last year, I travelled to Ibiza, the birthplace of this modality, where I took a deep dive into trauma-informed conscious movement and holding space with emotional intelligence for participants to Connect more deeply with themselves, Move and Shift stuck and old emotions, and Cathartically release what is no longer theirs to carry. So they can find their own unique FLOW.

I want to send a big, heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people who joined me in dancing on the land, surrounded by the beautiful trees and our equine companions. Your openness and honesty in sharing made the experience so special. I couldn't have asked for a more lovely and perfect gathering of beauties.

This modality serves as a powerful vehicle for embodiment and personal growth. By embracing somatic techniques, we can deepen our connection with ourselves, particularly our inner world, which encompasses all aspects of our being, including the shadow elements that reside within the body until we bring them to light and express them. This technique is transformative, fostering embodied presence that allows us to fully immerse in the moment and release stored emotions when the time is right.

These events are an unchoreographed, free-flowing meditation practice that encourages self-expression and discovery. It allows you to explore and express your feelings through movement. You don't have to learn any steps, and there's no pressure to perform. There's plenty of space to spread out, making it easier to relax and allowing the body and mind to get into a state of flow.

Using carefully selected music to help the mind and body enter a state of bliss. By incorporating varied tempos, rhythms, and melodic moods, I provide gentle guidance to support you in connecting with the energy flowing within you. This experience also allows you to beautifully connect with the natural environment where these events are held.

What made this Sunday extra special for me is that thirty-five years ago, I planted a tiny seed in a small, beige therapy room with a rather serious therapist. On that day, I felt desperate, paranoid, and empty. I told my therapist, "I just want to be the kind of woman who can dance freely without worrying about what others think." She harshly replied, "Oh really?" which left me feeling rather silly, as I thought everyone would like to feel this way. As I spoke these words, I envisioned a woman with a beautiful, full skirt twirling in the sunshine; the sense of freedom in that image made my heart yearn.

At the time, I thought this was an impossible dream, which left me feeling grief-stricken because I knew I was missing out on life. I believed that this dream was reserved for the lucky ones—those who are born full of self-confidence and a carefree nature. While that can be true, it isn't the norm. Most of us must embark on a journey of unravelling our masks and patterns of behaviour and confronting limiting beliefs while descending down into our underworld to arrive at the truth of who we are.

I once kept myself small, confined by the messages I internalised while growing up. I made unskillful choices and permitted others, particularly men, to take advantage of me, which led me into challenging, shadowy parts of life. I've come to understand that my experiences have made me a deeply empathetic person, allowing others to feel secure knowing they're with someone who is grounded and has done the inner work.

Ellasfield is a sacred space that empowers individuals to become a living, breathing embodiment of self-love and unwavering self-worth. This journey requires a strong commitment and a touch of trust in the unseen realms as one navigates through the layers of unmasking and unfolding, transforming suffering into profound meaning.

Everything I share has been shaped by the guiding light of my compassionate mentors and nurturing environments, such as Plum Village, the Buddhist Monastery in France. Here, I learned how to take care of anger, the essence of self-compassion, and how to connect with my body's wisdom. Trusting my inner guidance has led me to healing spaces and transformative teachings, including Shamanic studies, yoga teacher training, equine therapy techniques, and other modalities. These experiences fuel my passion for supporting others who have faced life's darker challenges.

This story reminds us to never lose hope in our dreams. It's essential to find those vibrant spaces where you can connect with kindred spirits—people who uplift and support you. They'll stand by you as you take that deep breath and courageously step into the unknown. You're not alone on this journey.

'Follow no authority - but your own true nature

Make a sacred fire

and throw on it all that you would use to harm yourself

Make kindling from shame

Let your dance be wild

Your voice honest

And your heart untamed

Be cyclical

Don't make sense

Initiate yourself

Initiate yourself'

from 'Dear Woman' by Aisha Wolfe

Suppose you can't join us at Ellasfield for a Retreat, Cacao Ceremony, or Equine Therapy session. In that case, I'd like to share a simple practice I learned during my first visit to Plum Village. It's a wonderful tool for taking care of strong emotions, such as anger and feelings of being overwhelmed, and it's an integral part of their approach. I hope you find it helpful.

'Walking Meditation'

1. Find a quiet space: This could be your bedroom, a park, or a garden.

2. Start slowly: Begin walking at a natural pace and pay attention to the sensations of your feet touching the ground. You might even think of each step as a kiss to the earth.

3. Focus on your breath: Inhale and exhale slowly, and consider synchronising your breath with each step.

4. Notice any sensations: Be aware of the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you.

5. Observe thoughts and feelings: Acknowledge any thoughts or feelings that arise without judging or pushing them away. Gently guide your attention back to the sensations of walking and breathing.

6. Be patient and kind to yourself: If your mind wanders, congratulate yourself for noticing. There's no need for discouragement; simply bring your attention back to the practice.

'To walk in such a way that we know we are walking. We walk leisurely, enjoying every step. We become aware of the contact of our feet with the ground and the flow of our breathing. We set ourselves free from our thinking - our regrets about the past, our fears and anxieties about the future, or our preoccupations in the present. We become 100% present with every step.'

I share this to highlight the incredible resilience and transformative power we possess as human beings. When we find kind and welcoming spaces, powerful changes can occur.

Big love, Kim x