Gwen Williams IAYT, IPHM, BFA
“Let the beauty we love be what we do.” Rumi
IAYT – I am accredited as a Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapy
BFA – I am accredited as a Focusing Practitioner with the British Focusing Association
IPHM – I am accredited as a Women’s Health Practitioner with the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine
My training:
Yoga Therapist. From 2011 to February 2020, I studied Yoga Therapy with a focus on Mental Health at the Minded Institute with Heather Mason. I learned the physiology and neuroscience of different types of mental health conditions, and the yoga practices most helpful in relieving them. Shortly after enrolling on this course, I gave birth to my first son. This inspired me to write my dissertation on attachment and the therapeutic application of yoga.
Focusing Practitioner. In spring 2015, I attended my first Focusing weekend workshop, and enrolled on the Practitioner Training in September 2016, finishing in 2019. I specialise in bringing embodied listening to movement modalities.
Well Women Yoga Therapist. In 2017, I trained as a Well Women Yoga Therapist with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli. This focused on movement for women, how to work with specific conditions, and how to support menstrual health. This brings together my experience of the healing power of movement and my passion for women’s holistic health.
Women’s Health Practitioner. In 2017, I completed this year-long journey guided by Amanda Rayment and Dominique Sakoilsky. I learnt how to use gentle psychological, spiritual and physical inquiry for healing, as well as herbs, nutrition, body-work and movement.
Yoga Teacher. In 2010, I trained at The College for Yogic Sciences in Jairam Ashram, Rishikesh, India (200 hours). I was taught one-to-one by the school’s Guru, Yogacharaya Lasmi Narayan and two of his students who were studying for their Masters in Yoga Therapy. The Guru took me on, despite the fact the school didn’t run training programs for foreigners. This was an incredible experience – gruelling, transformative and very beautiful.