My yoga & mindfulness story - Kathleen

Content warning: this content references sexual abuse. If you need help with similar issues, you can call you can call the domestic or sexual abuse hotline on 0808 802 1414 email [email protected] or live chat via dsahelpline.org. The NI charity Nexus also comes recommended nexusni.org. 

We are very grateful to Kathleen for sharing her story, and so happy for her that she has found help and support through Maitri Studio. We provide more links at the end of the page.  

I lived a life in survival mode. 
My main emotion was anger.
My need in life was to be the best I could be to gain approval from others.
I was numb to, and unaware of, my own needs and self-care.

I gradually learned that my nervous system had become hyper-vigilant as the result of having been traumatised from childhood sexual abuse.

My therapist suggested mindfulness classes and I came across mindfulness teacher Veronica Ellis at Maitri Studio.

Veronica taught me the skill of getting out of my head, becoming aware of what was going on within my body, to accept and relate to feelings with more compassion and to allow the sensations I was feeling to be part of me and “to just be”.

This practice then led me to yoga classes with Claire Ferry. 

Claire’s yoga practice has allowed me the time to slow down, get to know my limitations, to let go of my need to compete and to “just feel”.

The transformation to say the least has been life-changing.

I never knew there could be so much peace and calm within ourselves.

With the business of life, I occasionally slip away from my weekly practice but with Claire’s non-judgmental and welcoming approach I feel safe enough to just turn up.

I get right back on the mat, and with a thankful sigh of relief “I arrive” back in my body!
Thank you!!!  To both Veronica and Claire.

Powerful stuff from Kathleen and we thank her for her openness. There are several mindfulness classes or workshops at Maitri Studio. You can read about Veronica and what she offers here, while we also have Fiona teaching a weekly class. Claire teaches Iyengar yoga (as do several other teachers) and there are of course a whole host of other yoga teachers at Maitri Studio who create a safe space to practice in your body. We are also privileged to have a number of counsellors at Maitri who can offer professional counselling and/or psychotherapy help - visit our therapy page here.