... there is no one way of doing things and many ways to achieve. Just enjoy the journey and recognise it for what it is...
What is your job?
I’m a Homeopath, Practitioner of NLP, Hypnosis, Time Line Therapy and Coaching. I am also a Dance Artist. See www.creativehomeopathy.com
What does your job involve?
As a Homeopath I work with natural medicines so my work involves helping those with ill health to get better. As a therapist the best aspect of my work is the conversation side of things. I’m a people person, so to talk things through is where it is at for me. It’s great to see individuals arrive concerned about their situation and leave with a skip in their step, with a sense of relief that at last there is hope and understanding and the future looks brighter.
NLP is Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which can simply be described as Practical Psychology. With NLP, Hypnosis, Timeline Therapy and Coaching it’s again very much the same thing although, unlike with Homeopathy, there are no actual medicines to prescribe. The whole NLP package (Hypnosis etc) is amazing, there are so many aspects to it, so many things to pull on in order to help individuals re-assess their lives and ultimately to move on quickly.
As a Dance Artist, to be honest it was a relief to use this term to describe my work because in the past I used to say, “I’m a dancer, choreographer, teacher, director and basically anything required of me within the performing arts”. Now that this work is essentially a small part of me, I refer to myself as a dance artist which enables me to use any of my professional artist skills as, how and when necessary.
The great thing about all of the above is that they all allow me to work creatively. I am unlimited in my approach, to dip in and out, to go and flow with the client as is necessary. As a creative thinker it’s never one way but an open book, the sky’s the limit. Whatever is required within my bag of tools I can pull on to help individuals and groups to recover and feel strong and in control once again.
How did you get to this point in your career?
In 1990 I co-founded a Jazz dance company ‘Bullies Ballerinas’. Ten years and two children later it was time to re-assess things. I decided to celebrate my 40th birthday by putting myself on the line. It was time for change. See what else I could do other than work within the arts. My first son was diagnosed with asthma. Homeopathy was suggested to me by a friend. I was amazed by its efficacy. I experimented with it in very much a first-aid /home prescribing way, started prescribing for friends and then decided it might be a good idea to actually become a fully qualified Homeopath.
NLP was suggested to me. I attended an introductory day, felt that tingling feeling I recognise so well. Been there with dance and homeopathy so I understood - tingle means excitement and passion so I had to look into it further. At the end of 2010 I will be completing my Masters in NLP.
What training did you do and where?
I attended Weekend Arts College, London in my early years of training. I then did the Performing Arts Honours Degree at Middlesex Polytechnic (now University). This was followed with the one year certificate in Technique and Choreography at the London School of Contemporary Dance. Throughout those years I simultaneously attended professional classes and courses in Convent Garden, at the actors centre, RADA etc.
Homeopathy- I attended the Centre for Homeopathic Education for two years and a further two at The Practical College of Homeopathy, London.
I studied the American Board of NLP, Hypnosis, Time Line Therapy and Coaching with two amazing trainers: Sheila Patel of Claybrook NLP and Lenka Majstrikova of Ultimate Mind.
Which piece of work are you most proud of?
I’ve had amazing experiences with all aspects of my work and worked with great people over the years. There is not one piece in particular that I am more proud of. If I look back, a very enjoyable time was when I explored Jazz dance and music and compared it to African dance and music. That was an exceptional time in a studio - insightful with no pressure to produce a final piece, just research and development time. Bliss!
What do you need to succeed in your industry?
Commitment
Self-belief
Guidance
Patience
Drive
Remember - no journey is a straightforward journey
Flexibility is essential
Providing you put energy and action into your work and even when it feels like nothing is happening, SOMETHING IS!
Faith
Tenacity
I could go on and on but had better stop there!
Who’s your work hero/heroine?
For many years I worked with my best friend Jeanefer Jean-Charles. I trust her 100% and I think the fact that we managed to run a company together for so many years and still remain friends is a testimony to our friendship. She is inspiring and she challenges me when necessary. I highly respect her opinions and am very grateful for her wisdom. She is not my heroine, because I do not hero worship, but high on a pedestal – yep!
What inspired you to do this type of work?
I now recognise one consistent thing in all that I do, HEALING. That’s my inspiration. Previously this understanding was very much on an unconscious level; basically I didn’t really understand that this was my driving force. Today I am totally aware.
With dance it was always about everyone having a good time, feeling great through dance, to challenge and allow growth through dance. My focus was always on the individuals. What were the needs, how could I get them to explore who they are and amaze themselves with their artistic abilities.
With Homeopathy and NLP, again it’s just the same. It’s all about the individual, taking the pain, guiding them, facilitating their process, allowing them to transform the issues and ultimately reach a healthier state of being.
What do your family/friends think of the work you do?
I am very fortunate. All my family and friends support the work that I do. I grow through it and they do too. I am very open with it all and willingly share information all the time. I do think however that it is important to be respectful of how much they are willing to take on board and to know when to keep quiet!
What are your tips for anyone wanting to do your job?
I think it all boils down to being self employed, which I have always been. The buck stops with you. You have to make things work. That takes a particular kind of individual. The great thing is that this way of working allows for flexibility, more choice, you are the decision maker. That’s a strong place to be. Stay strong, focused and committed to your success.
DANCE - if you have a sense of how you might want to work within the dance industry that’s great because there are so many schools out there. A musical theatre course if you intend to work commercially or a contemporary course if you aspire to joining a contemporary company for example.
The same applies for Homeopathy and NLP training. Do your research, visit the establishments and decide what will work for you.
The general thing to remember is that there is no one way of doing things and many ways to achieve. Just enjoy the journey and recognise it for what it is - a journey. Time for exploration, learning and at different stages time to make decisions and then time for more exploration, learning ….and so the journey continues.
Creative inspirations
West Side Story
I’ve got to say this is where it all began. As a young person I always loved watching musicals and when I saw West Side Story I tingled all over and knew that I had to be able to do THAT type of dancing!
My first dance teacher, Jenny Silverton
She was so dynamic and fresh and enthusiastic about all things to do with dance. By the age of 15 I was already assisting her and leading dance workshops.
Weekend Arts College, London
There I attended performing arts classes in my teens. I was exposed to creative thinking in so many ways. It is here that I got my true grounding in the performing arts. I equate it to be part of a repertory company.
Ella Fitzgerald
The lyricism of her voice and the scat singing - what great rhythms. I loved the challenge of creating to the speed of her scat singing.
A Day at the Races
In that movie is the best Lindy Hop routine you will ever see. Many of the Lindy originals are in that film. If you want to see how it’s truly done then that’s the movie to seek out.
‘The Homeopathic Conversation’ by Dr. Brian Kaplan
When I read this book I couldn’t put it down. It explained the homeopathic consultation very simply and in every day terms which inspired me to feel comfortable with my own approach.
‘Moon Time – The Art of Harmony with Nature and Lunar Cycles’
My children and I have always enjoyed looking up at the full moon - ‘is it a happy face today or sad?’ When I came across this book it blew my mind. It refers to many things: health, life, living generally in relation to the moon cycle. For the next couple of months I drove my friends mad with the “Do you know that if you need to go to the dentist for an extraction, the time to do it for the best outcome in relation to the moon is…and did you know…...” You can imagine!
JAZZ
…and most things JAZZ. I get a buzz, a feeling and instantly start creating in my mind.
Soca music, Salsa music, anything percussive
That’s it, can’t help myself! I start creating a class or a new piece of choreography. Generally this happens in my kitchen - it’s amazing how great housework feels with the right music in the background!
Dance injuries
My dance injuries led me to a variety of complementary therapies. It fascinated me, the ways in which the practitioners worked. It is such a creative process, looking at the individual, what it is they need, how does the injury differ to others and what approach is therefore required. It’s like choreographing a piece of dance. Eventually Homeopathy inspired me to become a Complementary Practitioner.
If you would like advice on creative careers and courses, contact a Creative Way Careers Adviser - either Matt Ball on m.ball@uel.ac.uk / 07889 001764 or Sarah Comerford on s.comerford@uel.ac.uk / 07515 051509.
