Welcome!

More about me and my membership offer here on Substack

Jan 03, 2024

Hello, I’m Chloe! Welcome to Being and Moving, a space for women who want to feel connected to themselves, their communities and the natural world around them.

If you’re a wise, caring, creative woman looking for support, connection and exhilarating ideas, you’ve arrived in the right place.

Here you’ll find writing and resources on nature, seasonality and the Celtic wheel of the year; community and how to live whole and connected lives in these collectively challenging times; holistic explorations of health and wellness; and bodies, embodiment and movement. This space is where I share my experiences as a mother and human, and helpful teachings from my work as a yoga teacher, postnatal doula and group facilitator.

Paid subscribers to Being and Moving become a part of The Wheel, my offering made up of online seasonal circles and exclusive content to support your journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year.

For just £5 a month (or £50 a year) you get exclusive access to:

an online circle every 6 weeks in line with the Celtic Wheel of the Year, a Pagan calendar of festivals that mark the four major solar events - the summer and winter solstices and spring and autumn equinoxes - and the halfway points between them - Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain. Circles involve brief teaching and embodied practices to harness the wonderful energy and teachings of the Celtic wheel including: movement, breathwork, meditation, journalling prompts and sharing your thoughts and experiences with a lovely, thoughtful group (circles are recorded and the recording is available for 6 weeks after)
co-being sessions every month or twice a month - a chance to come together for an hour to co-work or be in our own space in the (virtual) company of others
an in-depth post before each circle exploring the significance of that marker
a post mid-cycle helping you connect with the season and remember your intentions in this period, with a reflection or practice for you each time
extra life writing posts and practices exclusive to paid subscribers, throughout the year

Why the Celtic Wheel?

I became fascinated by the Celtic Wheel after learning from brilliant wheel guide Mari Kennedy, who has a brilliant knack of marrying ancient wisdom with new information. There’s been quite the resurgence in folk traditions and a growing interest Pagan rituals in our culture. Although they’re from long ago, these ancient markers are still relevant: in our world of interlocking and increasing crises, they offer a way to anchor into a nature-led wisdom, in a time when humans seem intent on deepening their dis-connection with nature.

I think living in tune with the Celtic Wheel is so beneficial for 3 seasons:

1. Locating yourself:

Carving out the space to reconnect with yourself and others for every 6 week cycle allows a tracking of yourself and life’s events and sheds light on recurring themes and patterns. Our Celtic ancestors were sensible and knew that a party/some reflection time every 6 weeks is about right to pull us out of the immediate orbit of our everyday lives!

As we orient ourselves, we’re able to review what’s been going on, process our experiences and feelings and bring to the surface our intentions, hopes and plans, helping us live more consciously, define our gifts and be of service to those around us.

2. Solidarity and togetherness:

Coming together with others to explore and share provides the age-old, in-body wisdom of not being alone. When you feel, rather than know intellectually, that you’re not the only one feeling a certain thing or experiencing a certain challenge or joy, the powerful events of connection and co-regulation have happened.

3. Grounding in nature and the seasons:

Living more in tune to the seasons and cycles helps us feel much grounded and anchored in time, space and nature. It’s an essentially optimistic act of self care (the kind that also allows us to care for others and planet earth) and regulation of your system, as you come to remember, in your bones, that we are nature, and everything is a cycle.

About me:

I won’t take you through my whole CV but I will tell you some of the values I live and work by:

1. Community building

Whether in my local yoga classes and mum and baby groups, with a postnatal doula client or with my online community, bringing compassionate, socially-conscious women together makes my heart sing. I’m also slightly introvert and need plenty of time offline, pottering at home and not talking to anyone!!

2. Connection

I like to notice the interesting and unusual connections between things; this is where my writing takes off. As well as connecting ideas and people, practising and teaching yoga has helped me recognise many mind-body relationships as well as the more spiritual side of connection between all things.

3. Embodiment

I’m fascinated by the way that the conscious experience of being a body can change our life. I’m a fierce protector over the intelligence of human bodies and I’m always learning how to work with my whole system to look after myself and the people and environment around me.

4. Movement (including rest)

I love to move - yoga, swimming, running, dancing - and I love to rest. For me, physical movement is the best metaphor I’ve ever found for how things change. We think we’re stuck but some movement (transformation) is almost always possible , especially if we start small, honour our cycles and keep compassion front and centre.

A few other things: I live in south east London, I have two lovely kids, a great husband and an annoying cat. I’ve been a yoga teacher since 2016, doula since 2018 and before that I worked in the charity sector in content and communications. I love being out in nature, the occasional perfect glass of wine, being on holiday in Ireland and cosying up at home reading an amazing book or watching a brilliant film.

I’d love for you to join me at Being and Moving!

Any questions? Just comment below or drop me a line.