I almost forgot... that this was the whole point:

Once I step my foot out of the door here in Bali, I inevitably meet new interesting people all the time. And ofc the question "What brought you here?" is one I very often hear. Depending on my mood and what currently dominates my perception, the story goes a bit different each time. I try to put some reasons for my "why in Bali" here:

I used to work in journalism (in politics and economics departments of the national TV and the commuting newspaper 20Minuten), later became a representative of Swiss business interests in Eastern Europe and Central Asia for the biggest, most influential business association, economiesuisse. Working on the brink between politics and business... traveling to Brussels, Ukraine, Russia, Rumania etc.... I eventually realised two things:

• First, that my life looked glorious on the outside, yet I kept feeling shitty inside.​

• Second, that what happens in politics – on a national and global scale – is less about improving the world and more a product of deeply individual human dynamics.

Dynamics I didn’t want to be part of. What I experienced, disillusioned me. Yet I didn't know yet what a plan B would look like. I got increasingly interested in Yoga, started a 4-year teacher training... and because I couldn't get enough of it, went to Bali for a 1-month immersion.

There, I met a teacher. Whereas then even litting a candle in a yoga class has been too esoteric for me not long ago – I there immediately fell in love with making traditional Pujas – offering ceremonies – to hindu gods. This teacher radiated a soft power I got captivated with. In this training I started to cry, so heavily it seemed like I couldn't stop. Tears I've been holding back for years. She told me "Your heart is opening". And explained us how when we compromise our values, we create a split inside that makes us miserable... Upon coming back to Switzerland, I saw an advertisement of her where she was offering a 9-month apprenticeship where I'd get initiated into female arts. Women's circles. Sacred Sexuality. Relationship to the divine feminine in the form of different Hindu goddesses. Womb Work. That's the moment I quit. I knew: I have to do this, if I want to feel better. I knew the focus has to be on me. I knew that the biggest contribution I can make to humanity is to find peace with myself. I trained with this teacher and worked for her "Be Woman Project" over the next months – in Spain, Sweden, Bali. And remotely, while I was in Senegal to learn Western African dance and teach yoga – this is when Corona hit. Dance courses were cancelled, and made friends with two Germans who invited me to stay on their house in the countryside until things have settled... I stayed there for for months. Not knowing what to do with myself except for cooking on the firepit Senegalese style, watering plants, taking the baby on walks and teaching yoga to my new friends... I started to study online with Layla Martin on her sexuality programs. Coming back to Switzerland, into my too grey apartment, streets deserted, not feeling excited for any job I applied for... I felt: "this is not mine anymore", and was pulled back to Bali where I've already made friends. Then it happened so that I kind of just stayed. Travelling wasn't easy during the pandemic and life here was interesting. I immersed myself into all kinds of healing approaches: spiritual teachings, yoga, singing, dancing, women's circles, breathwork, bodywork, energy healing, ayurvedic medicine, and what not.

I also started training at Layla Martin's institute, as a Sex Love Relationship coach. After two years working with clients, I wanted to go deeper – coaching didn't seem to reach the depth of what I myself and clients of mine had experienced, in order to create sustainable shifts. That's when I started my Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training...

In fact, I've always wanted to study psychology (yet I believe haven't trusted my inner voice yet), and it has always a – once seemingly unattainable – dream of mine to work individually with people seeking mental (and thus emotional and physical) wellbeing.

Having a very open energy body, being easily excitable and equally influenceable 😎, it’s been essential for me to learn how to root myself in my body, to acknowledge my needs, and to trust my intuition – my path. Working with the nervous system and going to the depth by renegotiating trauma – the essence of Somatic Experiencing – has been working very well for me.

I keep getting to know myself. Instead of stemming from pain, that seeking has recently increasingly come from a place of curiosity and a sense of inner luxury.

Thank you life. Thank you for reading.

Any reflections – I'm always happy to receive.

With love,

Rahel

PS: I created a somatic mini-guide „A Map Back to Your Body“ which includes

• a fundamental ORIENTING practice for increased resiliency and sense of safety in your nervous system.

• a SENSATION VOCABULARY that helps you in tracking your physical experience and hence connect to the present moment, here & now.

You can access it here.