CURRENT MISSION

I am passionate about connection, in particular exploring new ways to connect with others; whether it’s someone I’ll never see again, a colleague, a new friend or deepening existing connections, breathing new life into them through increasing transparency, vulnerability and empathy. This is what makes my life open, expand and move forward, and this is what I am excited about sharing with the world; how do we think, speak, listen and act such that we bring more connection into our lives. I am delighted to be supported in doing this by so many encouraging teachers of so many inspiring practices. I will give a taste of how they have influenced what I offer in the following biography.

Since 2003, I have been facilitating groups of all shapes and sizes, in all corners of the world, using various methods to encourage authentic wholehearted connection; build community; support people to find ways to create the life they want; move toward greater freedom by de-programming our unhelpful patterns; develop skills in leadership, agency and self-responsibility; create space for individual and interpersonal healing; and explore new ways of experiencing and enjoying each other, our world and ourselves.

During recent years, I have focussed primarily on teaching Compassionate / Nonviolent Communication (NVC), finding this to be the most necessary, accessible and practical of the modalities I practice. I do this through day-long and weekend Communicate to Connect (C2C) trainings, weekly practice groups, and daily sessions at festivals, retreats, and camps.

I strive to share this transformational work with continual integrity, respect and heartfelt gratitude for the contribution of my many teachers and inspirations.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

the most memorable experience of my life couch surfing with samba jawo and his family in the gambia. in a completely different and amazing world, to be held so kindly and looked after so generously. this and many similar experiences since, have convinced me that couchsurfing is the way to travel

Interests

most things fun and/or creative. particularly games (that don't involve a screen) and music - playing, dancing, listening.

see "teach, learn, share"

• dancing
• cooking
• yoga
• clubbing
• traveling
• juggling
• music
• intentional communities
• conversation
• eco villages
• sacred economics

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

dogon country in mali

Teach, Learn, Share

I am committed to exploring and sharing ways in which we can meet the needs that have tended to be neglected due to social and cultural conditioning, and/or traumatic experiences. This exploration has brought a vast diversity and richness to my life and to those with whom I have worked and played. Thus I have developed an extensive skillset of various practices which infuse into what I offer. These practices are listed below according to which of those needs each primarily serves to meet.

* Play, Fun, Joy, Laughter, Spontaneity, Freedom and Movement - with Cooperative games, Laughter Yoga, Ecstatic dance, Circus skills, Community music (especially drumming and singing)

* Intimacy, Touch, Closeness, Affection - with Contact Improvisation, Synergy, Kaleidoscope Yoga and other Connection activities

* Empathy, Deep Connection, Emotional expression and Healing - with Compassionate / Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Re-evaluation counselling, Listening from the heart, Focussing, The Work of Byron Katie, and Family Constellations

* Community, Interdependence, Co-creation, Collaboration - at various intentional communities, eco villages, networks, retreats and camps, in particular: Earthsong, Unicorn, Tamera Healing Biotope. Tribal Spirit, ConFest, Trainer-Candidate Community Program (TCCP), and Cultural Catalyst Network (CCN)

* Integrated and Holistic Health and well-being - with the Alexander technique, Yoga therapy, Kinesiology, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Massage and other forms of bodywork, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and various traditional and modern approaches to Nutritional healing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Croatia, England, France, Gambia, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Mali, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, India, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

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