Hi, if you're seeing this you most likely know me already; my name is Fiona and I have been studying yoga since I was 12. This post is 2-pronged. First –

I'm about to turn 32, so it'll be 20 years since I was first introduced to the mat. My birthday is just around the corner, so – for anyone who was thinking of giving me something – I am asking for donations here, as a truly special birthday gift.

Second – inspired by a creative and thoughtful student of mine:

For those students who feel my approach has made a difference to how they experience their body and move through the world, and who want to keep working with me, I'm asking for donations to go towards future (private) sessions. I don't want to ask simply for donations, because – there are many people that desperately need aid. Donate to Palestine (GoFundMe won't let me list specific charities without declaring direct affiliations with them – see my socials for recs), donate to organisations that support reproductive autonomy, education, supports for those in DV situations... donate to those who are truly in need. This fundraiser is a way for clients to book future 1:1 sessions with me – Yoga Therapy (Ayurvedic & Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches); NeuroMuscular Therapy; MyoFascial Release; Fitzmaurice Voicework; or some kooky combination of all of the above, all in service of helping you find a bit more physiological fluidity and perhaps even flow.

As many of you know, I broke my foot badly a few years back, had to take a lot of time out of teaching to rehab from my 1 - 2 - 3 surgeries, and then in the middle of it someone hacked me and stole my (humble) savings. I was finishing my PhD at the time and owed tens of thousands in student debt anyways; things were already tight. Since the hack I have been living month to month as a freelance yoga teacher in a city that continues to both get more expensive and undervalue yoga. All to say –

I really care about what I do, and 1,000 hours in Certified Teacher Trainings is a huge milestone that many teachers never have the opportunity to reach. I have chosen to celebrate by attending an in-person teacher training in Bali this October. YogaMedicine offered me a small scholarship for their Hip Module (going towards my 500 hour YM YT cert, studying under Tiffany Cruikshank, a true leader in the field). The flights, the rest of the course fees, the travel insurance – these are what I am fundraising for.

Pals, if you were gonna get me anything for my birthday, a small donation would go a long way. Students, if you're donating towards a future session, they usually go for 60-100€ (sliding scale) – let me know what you're booking in for in the message section of your donation. 

I have always practiced and taught yoga for the love of it, but since my accident my energy is limited. I spend the energy I do have (and so far all the money I make) on refining my practice and bringing different movement therapies and performance techniques to students in fun and functional ways. Goals for this upcoming year include creating a Parkinson's Restorative Yoga & Voicework group, a neurodivergent Fitzmaurice Voicework Class, and continuing to support women (or – people) who have gone through intimate partner violence and are seeking to come back to their bodies and their breaths in titrated, healing ways.

If you feel inspired by my work, please support it so I can continue to support the folks that can be served by it the most. Thank you. Lots of love.