“Samara has such a depth of knowledge that comes from her training, her vast experience, but also, I believe, from her innate and ancestral connection to her inner knowledge.

“Samara has healing hands, her Shiatsu is the most relaxing, connecting treatment/ massage I have ever experienced. I highly recommend it.”

“I didn’t meet Sam until three weeks before I was due to have my baby. We already knew that my baby would need some extra help, and I worried that my induction may not work if I didn’t comfort my fears about the help my baby would need. She did an amazing shiatsu treatment on me, and I asked her to also do a visualisation to help comfort my fears. This worked amazingly, and I felt a deep connection with Sam. I asked if she could be at the birth of our son, she agreed and came all the way to Cardiff with us (a few times because of false starts!) I found her support invaluable, she acted as someone from our world; bridging the gap into a world I knew little about.”

“When my wife said she first wanted a doula I was a little hesitant to be honest. Not because I couldn’t see the value of a doula but more because I’d be nervous to bring anyone into such an important moment in our lives... But I was obviously happy to go with what my wife wanted.

I am very glad that we did have a doula and that it was you and now I’m not quite sure how we would have managed it without you! I hadn’t realised before experiencing labour, that I too would need support. Of course you were there to support my wife but having your support for me too really helped. It was a long intense week/weekend! It was fun to have a little team of us and it’s testament to you that we felt comfortable with you being there. We’re both quite private people so inviting someone into that space was a big thing for us, but I’m really glad that we did. Thank you so much for all your help throughout labour and the ante and post natal period.”

"I had been seeking a mentor/supervisor for a while when I came across Samara. I remember after our very first session I felt utter RELIEF that I had found someone who could deeply listen and give me space to figure things out for myself. I'd had mentors in the past who were knowledgeable and helpful, and that was what i'd needed at that time. But what I had grown to really seek was not more knowledge or wisdom from 'out there', but to untangle and uncover my own knowing and wisdom. Samara facilitates this so elegantly.

I have loved every practice we have explored together and have appreciated her suggestion to keep a record of all our sessions and the highlights of each one for me. It is so valuable to have these documents to look back on. I treasure every session we have – thank you so much Samara for your insightful reflections, your deep listening, and always your affirmation and encouragement."

- Laura, Doula

“The morning meditations and Chi Gong (Essence) with Samara - offering a weekly gathering as part of the Essence sessions - brings in a lightness of being - and the opportunity for connection with others through Presence and our shared practice.  

The smooth flowing movements create a feeling of well-being for the spirit, mind and body.  

The meditation brings our focus inward exploring both movement and stillness and Samara holds the space with her lovely presence - offering wisdom, compassion, knowledge, skill, gentleness and strength to the morning’s meditation and movement. It’s a wonderful start to the day.”

"Essence is first of all a mental sanctuary for me. I am a mother, homeschooling 3 of my children, and when I come to Essence I get time to interact with other adult women. 

I get to interact with my own body in ways I have not been able to do in a long time. These sessions have got me feeling more feminine and centred in my womb. I struggle with backpain as a result of a car accident my family was in and those sessions help me stretch. Since the last 2, my husband has joined me in the backround following the stretches amd moves since he also has a bad back from a car accident. Him joining me has also created a space for us to interact in much more tender ways with each and this part is a blessing I didn't expect when I started joining the sessions for myself alone, but am now enjoying them with my husband. It gives us something tender and to talk about, touching ourselves and each other in an intimate manner yet not sexual, I love that part a lot, it’s adding value to our marriage... our children watch too and giggle and smile as they watch us interacting with each other in that way. 

We eat a plant breakfast at 12:30 everyday, and Essence just gesl into that for our family making it a complete physical and spiritual ritual unlike other days. 

I look foward to Essence with joy. I especially love the time with other women as I spend most of my time with my children doing their activities. These have become my special days in the week because of Essence, Samara, and we are very grateful for them in this family. Thank you ever so much."

- Thandi, Traditional Birthkeeper, Storyteller, Wise Woman