I have been in private practice since 2004. Those who seem to enjoy my work the most are often engaged in meditative, spiritual, or movement practices, or are teachers and practitioners in their own field. I specialize in helping those with chronic conditions. Ranging from old injuries, preparing for or rehabilitating from surgery, neurological issues, repetitive strain type injuries, and other types of musculo-skeletal conditions. I also specialize in helping clients with emotional trauma, I work with adults
I am also trained as a Holistic Counsellor and am a student of the Ridwhan School's Diamond Approach. I have created Somatic Counselling sessions born out of noticing how much anxiety/stress can be alleviated by teaching the usefulness of the felt sense and ability to move attention . I also enjoy giving workshops and talks at events, and offer mentoring.
About Nikhila
Nikhila (pronounced the same as 'teguila') is a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, since 2005 when she the BielNeuchatel Feldenkrais Training Programme, Educational Director Elizabeth Beringer.
She has maintained a Private Practice in Dartington, Totnes, Devon UK since 2004 to present day.
Offering Weekly Classes, Individual Lessons, Workshops, in person and Online. She also offers Mentoring to Practitioners and students.
2013 she graduated as a Holistic Counsellor with WorkingwithPeopleTrainings - Rafia Morgan and Turiya Hanover,.Certified by SIAF Italia.
2014-2017 she graduated from trainings with them in Authentic Leadership, Relationship Counselling, and Advanced Counselling.
Continuing Professional Development:
2022 to present, Nikhila particpates in an ongoing monthly study group with trainer Garet Newell of Dr Feldenkrais' Amherst Training materials.
Prior to this she has regularly updated her skills, attending in person advanced trainings with Feldenkrais trainers that include Olena Nitefor, David Zemach-Bersin, Scott Clark, Gunther Bisges, Ruthy Alon, Arlyn Zones, Elizabeth Beringer. She also enjoys visiting the UK professional trainings and give lessons there.
2006-2010 Nikhila was mentored by Dr Ralph Strauch FGNA, PhD of California USA in the use of somatic methods such as the Feldenkrais Method for working with emotional trauma.
2008 she hosted Dr Ralph Strauch and organised 5 day Advanced Training for him in Devon
2010-2012 she served on the Committee of Feldenkrais Guild UK
2013, 2014 & 2015 she hosted Gunther Bisges asst. trainer and organised Devon workshops
2018 & 2019 Nikhila hosted David Zemach-Bersin of Feldenkrais Access for two 5 day Advanced Trainings in Devon.
Personal circumstances have led Nikhila to choose not to take the route of pursuing qualifications as a Trainer in Feldenkrais Training programmes but to focus on her work in private practice with the public, who often include teachers and professionals in other fields.
How did it begin?
It was in 1995 someone showed Nikhila a simple Feldenkrais way to help with chronic neck pain resulting from an earlier riding accident. This simple, 5 minute, technique quickly gave her more control over the persistent physical pain for the first time in maybe 15 years.
Dr Moshe Feldenkrais defined a healthy person as one who "has the ability to recover quickly and easily from the knocks and shocks that life brings, and dares to aspire to his vowed or unavowed dreams". This resonated deeply with her, as did "The improvement a human being can gain through movement is open-ended." - Dr M. F.
Nikhila's more recent training as Holistic Counsellor came out of a wish to gain more 'emotional literacy' and work with her own childhood trauma. The training was focused on using Inquiry as a basis for the therapeutic work. Her thesis topic was 'A Movement Between Trauma and Essence'.
Other qualifications include
1977 British Horse Society Assistant Instructor.
1995-2001 Osho International Meditation Resort: Active Meditation facilitator, Osho Talking to the Body/Mind facilitator, Osho Tantra teacher, Reiki I & II,
1994-96 Therapeutic and Ayurvedic Massage at level one.
1980-82 BEC Diploma in Business Studies for Agricultural Secretaries.
Other areas of work and study
Nikhila is a meditator, inquirer, ever-beginner surfer, paddleboarder and sea swimmer and also loves walking in nature on the days in between.
2017-present she is a student of Ridhwan school's Diamond Approach.
2006-2014 she regularly danced 5 Rhythms & Authentic Movement.
1995-present she practices Tai Chi, Chi Kung, ShinTaiDo.
1987-2006 practiced Yoga - British Wheel, Iyengar, and Ashtanga Vinyasa including 3 years teaching.
1983-1997 Sailing - on yachts where she worked as either the cook or as sailing crew (having been a keen racing yacht crew) or both. This period included 2 years spent running a catering company in London.
1965-1980 Horse mad from very young, she owned her own ponies, competed in eventing and was a member of Fourburrow Hunt Pony Club event team twice at National level.
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