Aysha Bell
One-to-one coaching in meditation, breathwork, sound healing and Reiki.
Aysha writes…
As a society, I’d like to think we are more receptive to (and understanding of) mental health issues than we used to be, and have learned to tap into mindfulness as one way of assessing our own wellbeing when something isn’t quite right.
‘Mental chatter’ can be described as the ongoing string of thoughts, whether anxious, panicked or otherwise, which overload your mind: the constant stream of to-do lists, second-guessing, or concerns over work, relationships or money.
Of course, there is always some kind of activity going on in the mind. Unfortunately, a lot of the time it can be negative. And mental chatter, and its associated stress, is something that can strike and take over even the most zen of human beings.
So, how can you relax, avoid overthinking, and learn to train your mind away from such thoughts?
Mindfulness helps us think about the present, without worrying unnecessarily about the future (or indeed the past). It also helps us to increase our ability to regulate emotions, and decrease stress, anxiety and depression. It focuses our attention, as well as allowing us to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment.
I specialise in meditation, yoga, breathwork and sound healing, and I am aware that a lot of people look at me and think I am so ‘together.’ But it’s not always been this way.
I was born in West London. I’m fiercely proud of my Caribbean heritage, but was dyslexic in a highly academic school (not a great mix) and was asked to leave as I was considered ‘disruptive.’ When I was twenty, I gave birth to my daughter, and I raised her as a single parent with all the challenges that brings. So, when I look back, I’m not surprised that I lost my way. I relied a little too much on drink and drugs, and a swathe of health issues segued into depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. There were times I couldn’t get out of the house; sometimes even picking up the phone was overwhelming. The practices that got me through were yoga and meditation.
However, I never imagined they would become my life work and my career. I trained as an actress. Over the years, I’ve been a dancer and a dog-walker, a carer and a hairdresser. I have started up and built several successful businesses. I loved all these jobs, loved all the people I helped. But I always felt there was more. I needed to find my ‘thing.’
So, I went back to what had helped me in the dark days. I trained in three different types of yoga (Vinyasa Flow, Kundalini and Yin). I studied the aforementioned meditation, breathwork and sound healing, as well as Reiki. I explored herbal medicine and nutrition. And I am currently training as a psychotherapist, with an emphasis on psychosynthesis, a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the exploration of the human potential.
I’ve had to work hard to find my own way, to learn to trust my gut, to hold fast to my quest for serenity and balance, while still having fun. Naked when at all possible! Yes, parts of my life have been hard, but they have opened my heart and have made me - I hope - more understanding, more compassionate.
We all have our own issues, our own problems, and I can never live your experience - but having been at rock bottom, I can empathise; I can hold your hand and support you, inspire you and cheer for you.
If I can do it, you can too.
Based in London, Aysha Bell offers classes and one-to-one coaching in meditation, breathwork, sound healing and Reiki, together with her own range of Meditation Box products including teas, candles and healing crystals. She can be contacted at connect@ayshabell.com