Held in community through a time of healing

This fundraiser has been created to lovingly support our dear friend Mira Khanya as she moves through her journey with breast cancer.

Those who know Mira will recognise her deep generosity of spirit – how freely she gives, how widely she is loved. Asking for support does not come easily to her, and it was with tenderness and encouragement from those close to her that she agreed to allow this circle of care to form, and to share her story in her own beautiful words below.

Please know that all funds raised will go directly towards supporting Mira as she navigates this time, allowing her to focus her energy on healing, rest, and receiving.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to all who feel called to contribute, in whatever way they can. Our prayer is that Mira’s path through this chapter is held with as much ease, grace, and love as possible, and that in time she may return – renewed – to offering her profound movement medicine to the world.

Mira’s story in her own words

I am so blessed to be surrounded by an incredible circle of friends. Since my recent breast cancer diagnosis, I have felt a village gather around me with such care, love, and support. It has been profoundly beautiful.

Some of these dear friends suggested setting up a fundraiser and encouraged me to share a little of my story with the wider family and community. This sits at an uncomfortable edge for me - speaking about something so raw and personal, and asking for help. And at the same time, I deeply trust the strength and medicine that comes from community.

If you’ve ever danced with me, you’ll know how much I love the song Together We Are Better. I truly believe that our togetherness - in vulnerability, strength, and shared humanity - is powerful medicine.

Some time ago, I had a check-up, and no further investigation was recommended. During a moment of deep surrender while holding a dance space this Autumn though, I felt a clear message to go back to the doctor. What followed were weeks of biopsies, scans, and meetings. For one week, there was a very real possibility that the cancer had spread, and I sat waiting for the results in a quiet, intimate relationship with death - meeting just how precious each moment of life truly is. And in the dance, I felt my life force and a strong, clear call: I want to live.

I am deeply grateful to share that it had not spread. Leaving the hospital that day, my sisters and I found ourselves dancing in an empty corridor - celebrating life in the simplest, most honest way we could.

If you were with us at the recent Winter Gathering, you may now understand more fully the moment in the dance where we acknowledged death and then rose into the full expression of our aliveness together. That was a powerful moment.

Now, I am standing at the beginning of what feels like the biggest ceremony of my life so far. There are many unknowns and important decisions ahead. I am gathering a supportive team, working alongside a wonderful NHS team, and exploring integrative approaches to healing as I listen carefully for the path that is right for me.

Many of you have asked how you can help. If you feel called to hold me in your prayers, that means more than I can say. And if you have the capacity to contribute financially, I receive that with deep gratitude. I’m very aware that finances can be tight, and I want to say clearly: prayers, love, and kind thoughts are more than enough and gratefully received.

This support will help me to create enough stability to focus on my healing and allow myself to rest and access integrative and complementary therapies alongside my NHS care.

As I navigate the decisions ahead with presence and care, I feel well supported with a strong circle around me. So I’m leaning into what a dear friend once called the profound art of surrender - trusting the unfolding, allowing healing on all levels, and being initiated more deeply into self-love.

Thank you for walking with me. I send my love and appreciation, and I look forward to dancing together again soon.

With love,

Mira