My Journey
From Strength to Soul:
My Journey in Fitness and Spiritual Growth
“Awakening is not changing who you are but discarding who you are not.”
Growing up, I faced unique challenges. I had an older sister who was always the high achiever, and a twin sister with Down Syndrome and autism, who needed constant care. Looking back, I realize how these dynamics influenced my self-esteem, often leaving me unsure of my own path. This struggle led to choices in careers and relationships that didn’t always align with who I truly was.
Through it all, my love for fitness, art, and singing became my anchor. Even during times when I felt lost or uncertain, these passions pulled me forward, giving me strength and purpose, even when I wasn’t quite sure where my journey would lead.
I OFTEN FELT LOST
I WASN’T FOLLOWING MY HEART!
My childhood passion for gymnastics, ballet, and dance were my happy place, where time seemed to melt away, and I could immerse myself completely in the joy of movement. My love for sports served as a steady anchor amidst the challenges of growing up allowing me to feel more secure and grounded in myself.
My yoga journey began in my mid-twenties, initially focused on the physical intensity of styles like Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow. This passion let me to become a Les Mills Bodybalance instructor and a yoga teacher. As I grew older my fitness journey evolved into more demanding disciplines, including Korean Taekwondo training with Wild Tigers Martial Arts, and Animal Flow™—a unique, quadrupedal bodyweight exercise that merge animal-inspired movements with yoga and gymnastics to enhance strength, mobility, and overall wellness.
Left: with Richard Scrivener, Lead Global Master Instructor of Animal Flow™, 2020. Right: receiving my 1st Dan Black Belt certificate from Master Jongho Kim, 2020.
MY FITNESS JOURNEY SHIFTED
TO A MORE MINDFUL APPROACH
Over time, I felt a natural shift in my journey from physically demanding sports and disciplines to practices that nurtured my mind and spirit as much as my body. Yoga and meditation offered this, bringing me into a flow of mindful movement and inner awareness, where each breath and motion became a meditation, a journey inward.
This evolution has brought harmony and balance into my life, allowing me to strengthen not only my body but also my mind and spirit.
From an early age, I felt a deep connection to the world around me, shaped by my sensitivity and love for sports, art, and music. While these passions were initially hobbies, they became powerful tools for transformation as I began to trust my inner calling and embrace a life aligned with my soul’s purpose. This journey has led me to discover the profound beauty of living with intention and using my gifts to help others find balance, healing, and connection.
I began to feel a calling to bring wellness to others—not only through the physical practice of yoga but also through holistic therapies that could transform lives on a deeper mental and spiritual level. This journey led me to become a meditation teacher, a sound healer, gong master, and a Jikiden Reiki practitioner.
I became a certified Level 3 Sound Healer with Life Changing Energy and then completed the triple-accredited Sound Therapy Gong Master Course with Don Conreaux aka Baba Don/Guru Jagat one of the five original Kundalini Yoga Teachers, who has spent the last fifty plus years sharing The Way of the Gong as a service to promote inner dynamic peace, his daughter Yaelle Eloul Shaphir LC, and Joana Bilik, from Gong Free sound healing at The Lake of Frequency in Poland, 2023.
Left: with Don Conreaux and Yaelle Eloul Shaphir. Right: with Joana Bilik.
One of my hobbies is art, particularly charcoal drawing. In Poland, I had the chance to gift Don Conreaux a charcoal portrait I created of him. Meeting him in person was such an exciting moment, and I felt compelled to make a drawing to celebrate the occasion.
This week-long Sound Healing and Gong Master course was truly an awakening experience for me. I learned so much, and the connection with nature deeply enhanced every moment. I also had the opportunity to meet and connect with like-minded individuals, many of whom I still stay in touch with today to share our journeys as sound healers and inspire one another.
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”
It was my first time playing the gong in a forest. I felt deeply connected with Earth and its natural healing powers! Being in nature can lower stress, elevate the mood, reduce anger and aggression and enhance overall well-being.
I first learned the powerful healing technique of Usui Reiki Ryoho, completing levels 1, 2, and 3 with Dorothea Pritchett at Life Changing Energy. Soon after, I discovered Jikiden Reiki and certified with Rika Tanaka, Chair at Jikiden Reiki UK Association in Jikiden Reiki level 1 (Shoden) and Level 2 (Okuden).
While Western Reiki is more adaptable and spiritually focused, Jikiden Reiki stays true to its Japanese roots, emphasizing physical healing through traditional techniques. The simplicity and authenticity of Jikiden Reiki resonated deeply with me, and it’s the Reiki I practice today.
Left: With Rika Tanaka, Chair at Jikiden Reiki UK Association.
On 7 and 8 June 2025, we came together in Woking to honour the 5th anniversary of JRUKA. The weekend was filled with rich experiences, including Japanese cultural activities, inspiring talks, Reiju, Reiki practice, and a special video lecture with a live connection to Tadao Yamaguchi Sensei, head of the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto.
Above all, it was a joyful gathering of community, connection, and shared practice—a true celebration of Jikiden Reiki in the UK.
One of the highlights for me was the traditional Japanese dance workshop with Kayoko Kimura, known by her stage name Kayono. She is a highly accomplished performer and instructor of Nihon Buyo, a graceful and refined form of classical Japanese dance. With more than 20 years of experience, she leads Kayonono-kai, her own dance school in Highgate, London, and continues to perform regularly both in the UK and in Japan.
Left: with Kayoko Kimura. Right: video lecture and live connection with Tadao Yamaguchi Sensei.
Music and singing have always been among my greatest passions. I loved singing along to my favourite songs and, as a teenager, started writing my own songs on the guitar. I also cherished my time singing with Coro de St. Amaro de Oeiras, one of Portugal’s most renowned choirs, and later joined a pop music group within the same choir.
MY JOURNEY AS A SINGER
DIFFERENT STAGES, SAME PASSION!
Although my heart was always guiding me toward a career in singing, I chose other fields that, while creative, didn’t truly allow me to follow my passion. My first degree was in Fashion Design, but still feeling lost, I went on to study Communication Sciences, Journalism, and Marketing and Advertising.
After moving to London in 2002 to pursue a Master of Arts in Electronic Communication and Publishing at UCL, I found it challenging to find fulfilment in the jobs I took after completing my studies. Despite this, I continued singing and writing songs, and then I met Nils Hagner, a Swedish singer/songwriter and producer. Together, we formed a pop-rock band in 2003 and performed at various venues around London for several years.
During this time, Nils and I became a couple, settled in Southwest London, and started a family. With these new responsibilities, we put our band on hold, as we no longer had the time or energy to devote to it. When my children started primary school, I began to feel that the universe was guiding me toward a more holistic approach to life.
I FELT A CALLING TO CREATE
SPIRITUAL AND HEALING MUSIC!
As I embraced a more holistic way of life, I felt a deep calling to create and perform mantra songs, along with profoundly spiritual and meditative music, using my crystal singing bowls. In our home studio, we began crafting deeply transformative music for the mind and soul.
Most of our songs originate as spontaneous, heart-driven melodies, guided by the soothing tones of the crystal singing bowls. When I sing, I feel like a conduit for a higher source, channeling healing energy into the world.
Finally, I feel truly aligned with my soul’s purpose, and it fills me with deep joy to know that I am here to serve others. Embracing the gifts I was born with, I welcome this life journey with an open heart and unwavering dedication.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
My certifications so far…
- Jikiden Reiki practitioner (Shoden, Okuden) with Rika Tanaka
- Usui Reiki Ryoho practitioner with Life Changing Energy
- Sound Therapy and Gong Master with Grand Master Don Conreaux
- Sound Healer certification with Life Changing Energy
- RYT® 200 MAI Meditation Alliance International® meditation teacher
- E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500 Yoga Alliance registered teacher
- Korean Taekwondo Black Belt Dan 1 with Wild Tiger Martial Arts
- Movement Flow™ Level 1
- Animal Flow™ Level 2
- Les Mills Bodybalance™ Advanced instructor
- Gravity Yoga® certified with Yoga Body by Lucas Rockwood
- MA Electronic Communications & Publishing, UCL, London 2002
- University Degree in Communication Sciences, Uni, Lisbon 2000
- Fashion Design Degree I.A.D.E, Lisbon 1994
