About RHYANNE

~MY JOURNEY TO YOGA THERAPY~

I first experienced the healing power of movement in 2008 during my undergraduate degree in Contemporary Dance. I studied therapeutic movement and its effect on emotion and was invited along by one of my lecturers to facilitate a programme for young girls in Tallinn, Estonia. We were based at Kaagvere, an institute described as a remand centre for young girls who had committed minor and in some cases severe offences. Many of the young people here were experiencing psychological and behaviour challenges. The programme explored the therapeutic impact that simple, daily, movement had on the group. Most of the sessions were delivered without spoken word, due to the language barrier. It was fascinating to witness how movement alone, became a therapy. There was a beautiful progress that began to unfold as the children danced and moved, released emotion and in doing so each session appeared calmer, more engaged, softer, and more socially interactive/trusting of their peers.

It was a life changing experience for me and reinforced my curiosity around how we as humans store our deepest emotions and memories within the body and how movement can have a profound and healing effect upon us.

After receiving my first 200 hour yoga teacher training certificate in 2012, I later enrolled in a diploma in Yoga Therapy with The Minded Institute in London, an international leader in the field of Yoga Therapy. My training included highly academic and rigourous study of anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, psychotherapeutic skills and the psychophysiological impact that yoga practices can have on health conditions, as viewed through both the medical and yogic lense.

TODAY

I now have over 10 years experience of leading yoga classes across Hertfordshire and West Essex. I continue to offer a number of general group classes each week from Epping where I am based. However the majority of my work is now in my capacity as a Yoga Therapist. I work with individuals and small focus groups with health challenges. I regularly work to support individuals with mild to moderate mental health challenges and other physical health issues such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, cardiovascular issues to name a few. My area of specialism is Insomnia /Improving Sleep and Breast Cancer.

Holding space, listening and creating is where I feel most at home and I am very grateful to my students, past and present for trusting me to guide them through the life affirming practice of yoga.