starburstellie

Ellie’s path to wellness

It all started when I became too wired to sleep and spent every night tossing and turning like a disgruntled teenager. I couldn’t sleep or focus for months and eventually became irritable and cranky on the inside for no external reason—other than exhaustion.

I’m English. I kept calm and carried on like I was fine until one day, I reacted to a (non)situation so out of character I had no choice but to seek an exorcist or therapist (it wasn’t pretty).

A psychologist made me realise I was completely out of alignment with my values and identity. He made me accept that my nervous system was in constant overdrive—my fight-and-flight mode was overactive—and I was overwhelmed by my resistance to slow down at work.

Long story short, I had total burnout and couldn’t see straight for the debilitating migraines and constant brain fog. 

I went on a journey back to health by booking a ticket to India on a whim (which explains my panic attack in Schiphol Airport) to spend time with the founder of Laughter Yoga to better understand why I had lost the ability to “respond” to stress (it was my own Elizabeth Gilbert moment). 

When I got to the hidden oasis in Bangalore, I had so much trapped tension it hurt to laugh (no joke). I felt like the Mad Hatter minus his frantic rabbit and deranged cat. I looked ridiculous, but slowly, I started to feel the benefits of joy in motion (even though the headaches were still the size of Texas).

Something unexpected happened. I connected with like-hearted laughter angels and found my voice and the sweet melody of giggles, chuckles, and belly laughs (and started to feel human again). 

When I returned to my so-called life as a certifiable certified laughter yoga teacher, I went on a quest to discover other forms of yoga, meditation, the Art of Breathing, therapy art, coaching, metaphysics, etc.

I have trained with the Dr. Madan Kataria, the founder of Laughter Yoga International. Lukas Rockwood, the founder of Yogabody. Ravi Shankar’s best trainers from the Art of Living. Tony Robbins and Brendon Burchard—kings of strategy and mindset. Peter Koijen and Ligia Koijen Ramos, the founders of In2Motivation (and more).

It took a bucket load of money, patience, perseverance, and discipline, but I slowly found balance by retraining my sympathetic nervous system. As a result, I have discovered a sense of purpose and intention that I thought was long forgotten.

I still have ups and downs (like all humans), but I know how to quickly elevate my moods and change my state with some simple tools, and I refuse to go down the emotional rabbit hole—even when it’s tempting to hide.

I have mastered what Terri Savelle Foy calls ‘mind over mattress’. And I’m now ready to help others (no need for a Champagne budget).  

Good news: You don’t need to speak woo-woo, join a hipster yoga studio, or make a massive time investment to live with intention. All you need is an internet connection and someone like me to give you the tools for a 30-day pick ‘n’ mix daily ritual to help retrain your nervous system (I’ll give you a blueprint to tailor your practice at your own pace to suit your mood or the time of day).

All you need is a yoga mat and to give yourself the permission and freedom to embrace the gentle process.