Reclaim your authentic self through somatic practices and the Celtic story of the Selkie
The Selkie's Gift
In Celtic folklore, Selkies are magical beings who live as seals in the sea but can shed their skins to become human on land.
Though they may lose their skins and become trapped in human form, they never forget their true nature.
When they reclaim their skins, they return to the sea, whole once more.
Their story speaks to the power of reclaiming our true selves and finding harmony between our inner and outer worlds.
Just as the Selkie carries the power to transform within their skin, you too possess an innate healing wisdom.
This workshop will guide you to explore your own inner Selkie - that intuitive part of yourself that knows what you need to thrive and heal.
Like the Selkie reclaiming their skin, you'll learn to access and trust your body's natural healing abilities, and connect with your inner compassionate wise elder to guide you on your healing journey.
As a child, I dreamed of being a Selkie to escape. Now, I use that same story to guide myself and others back to our bodies.
This Workshop is for YOU if you are…
Navigating chronic illness or pain
Seeking relief from anxiety or depression
Healing from trauma
Longing to reconnect with your authentic self
Ready to embrace your inner strength and resilience
Eager to discover new paths to well-being and joy
Curious about somatic approaches to healing
Interested in accessing and nurturing your inner healer
“Ruth delivered a wonderful trauma-informed sound bath for delegates at our organisation’s annual national conference (we work in the violence against women and girls sector). She went above and beyond in providing support before, during and after the sound bath and in ensuring that the experience was as healing and meaningful as possible. We got such great feedback from delegates who took part! Thank you, Ruth!”
Your Selkie Journey Includes
Gentle, trauma-informed movement and yoga practices
Guided meditations for body connection and emotional healing
Embodied arts and writing therapy sessions
Sound healing and vocal toning for deep relaxation and release
Drum journeying to connect to your ancestors and ancient wisdom
Empowering group chanting to connect with your inner voice and truths
Nourishing organic, vegan meals
Supportive community of women
Practices to awaken and nurture your inner healer
“Ruth’s therapeutic writing is truly special. It’s so much more than just writing. With meditation, intention setting and sound therapy, she really knows how to help you connect deeply with emotions and body. Ruth creates a safe, empowering space for sharing and her techniques and feedback are just so instrumental in allowing you to express in a way that it’s natural to you. I highly recommend this session to anyone seeking healing and empowerment through writing. Thanks so much!”
Benefits of Our Somatic Healing Approach
Responding to a particpant’s deep share at the end of a workshop
Effective tools for managing chronic pain and illness
Techniques to alleviate anxiety and depression
Strategies for processing and healing from trauma
Renewed connection with your body and intuition
Enhanced self-awareness and emotional regulation skills
Improved self-compassion and body acceptance
Practical relaxation and stress-reduction techniques for daily life
A toolkit of creative expressions for ongoing self-discovery
A supportive network of like-minded women for continued growth
Rediscovered joy and playfulness in your life
Increased energy and vitality through mindful practices
Awakened awareness of your body's innate healing wisdom
Empowering techniques to actively engage in your healing journey
“The Celtic Wheel ceremonies have been an exciting and beautiful way to connect with nature, the seasons and the past. It is a welcome antidote to the bustle of the everyday, and connects each of us back to a more raw and spiritual core.
Ruth is very welcoming and caring; she is very passionate about the healing benefits of sound and is very skilled in this field. The sound healing has had a profound effect on me and has had a lasting effect physically. The physical effects of chronic anxiety have lessened in a way that I did not expect. I have felt a tangible shift in my shoulders (which were generally over tensed) and in the heavy feeling that was often in my chest.
The guided meditations have sometimes given me powerful insights, sometimes not until after returning home and thinking about them. Attending one of the ceremonies takes me on a journey which helps me realise things about myself - either things that I could prioritise more, or that I am actually achieving - self-love always a top goal.
My feeling afterwards is one of being replenished and having a deeper awareness of myself and my needs.”
Yoga & Movement with Natasha
I am delighted to welcome Natasha, whose thoughtful and nurturing approach to movement draws deep inspiration from Selkie mythology for this workshop. Here, she shares some of her story and what you can expect from the movement part of the workshop.
Like the Selkie moving between sea and shore, my relationship with yoga has been a fluid, transformative journey of finding home within my own body.
Following an accident in 2003 that introduced me to chronic pain and which fundamentally reshaped my understanding of movement, resilience, and healing, I found my yoga practice to be my lifeline.
Living with a body that shifts between capability and limitation has been my greatest teacher. And believe me, I am still learning some of the lessons! Some days, I can move through a powerful headstand; other days, I can barely get out of bed and walking feels like traversing an impossible landscape. For me, this unpredictable terrain mirrors the Selkie's experience of existing between worlds – neither fully confined nor completely free, always negotiating the boundary between seen and unseen experiences in my body.
I've studied a range of embodiment practices – from Krama Vinyasa Tantra yoga, Body Mind Centrering, dance, to movement medicine. My practice is rooted in a deep commitment to listening. For so many years, I fought against my pain with anger and resistance. Now, I've learned to cultivate a gentler, more compassionate dialogue with my body.
“Like the Selkie moving between sea and shore, my yoga offering is an invitation to come home to your body’s wisdom – exactly as you are, in this moment.”
My yoga offering for this Selkie workshop is an invitation to a softer, nourishing pathway to reconnection. It's about remembering our intrinsic relationship with ourselves, with nature, and with the vast, interconnected ecosystem of which we are a part. I like to think that each movement is an opportunity to come home, to trust the body's inherent wisdom, and to honour whatever experience arrives moment by moment.
As someone exploring an ancient tradition outside my cultural roots, I approach teaching yoga with profound respect, and an ongoing commitment to learning and growth.
My aim is to create an inclusive enough space where everyone, regardless of background or physical ability, can explore their own healing journey through movement and connect with their body.
Facilitating a shamanic drum journey and ceremony at the Mount Without
Workshop Details
Dates: Saturday 8 March
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Venue: Bristol Goddess Temple
Price
We believe in making this workshop accessible to all while ensuring fair compensation for the work involved. Please choose the tier that best reflects your current circumstances.
Supporter Tier (Reflecting the true value of this workshop, for those on a healthy income) £175
Standard Tier (For those on a moderate income) £135
Community Tier (For those on a low income, benefits, or students) £95
Food: This workshop also includes lunch, dessert and snacks throughout the day
Limited Spaces: To ensure a deeply meaningful experience for all participants, we're keeping the group size small. Early booking is recommended.
This offer comes from a deep desire to make this journey accessible to those ready to embrace change and work on their personal growth.
A nourishing vegan and organic lunch with dessert is included in the cost.
Get in touch if you have any questions about the workshop and I will be happy to answer.
Meet Your Selkie Workshop Facilitator
Ruth Semple
Sound Healer, Celtic Wisdom Keeper, Space Holder, Trauma Survivor
My journey as a healer began in the unlikeliest of places - the archives. As I poured over the stories of medieval women healers during my research degree, little did I know I was unearthing my own calling.
Growing up in conflict-ridden Northern Ireland, I carried the weight of generational and collective trauma, religious and patriarchal abuse, violence and the constant threat of violence. The scars of a divided land.
This manifested as chronic pain, fatigue, addiction, anxiety, and depression - ailments that defied conventional treatments.
My path to healing led me back to my roots. I rediscovered the power of my Celtic heritage, finding solace and strength in the myths, legends, and connection to the land that I once yearned to escape. This journey of reconnection is one of the foundations of my healing practice.
Today, I weave together sound therapy, somatic practices, and Celtic wisdom to guide others on their healing journeys. My approach is deeply informed by my own experiences with chronic pain and trauma, as well as my training in somatic healing modalities.
Through sound baths, drum journeys, guided meditations, and nature-inspired ceremonies, I create sacred spaces for individuals to reconnect with their authentic selves.
FAQS
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A: Absolutely. This workshop is designed for all levels of experience. I'll guide you through every step, ensuring you feel comfortable and supported throughout the journey.
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A: The Selkie story serves as a powerful metaphor for reclaiming our authentic selves. Through this lens, we explore gentle techniques to reconnect with our bodies, release tension, and cultivate self-compassion - all crucial elements in managing chronic pain and healing from trauma. Just as the Selkie reclaims their skin to return to their true form, we'll explore ways to reconnect with your body's innate wisdom and healing potential.
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A: Definitely. While we draw inspiration from Celtic traditions, our practices are grounded in practical techniques that benefit mind and body. You don't need any specific beliefs to participate or benefit from the workshop.
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A: Yes. Our movement practices are adaptable to various abilities. We focus on gentle, trauma-informed movements that can be modified to suit your needs, whether you're standing, seated, or lying down.
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A: We create a safe, supportive environment where everyone can participate at their own comfort level. Our small group size and gentle approach help ease anxiety, and you're always welcome to take breaks or step back if needed.
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A: Sharing is always optional. While we create a safe, supportive space for those who wish to share, we respect everyone's boundaries. You're welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
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A: Somatic practices and sound therapy are powerful tools for addressing trauma and chronic pain. They work by:
Regulating the nervous system: These approaches help calm the body's stress response, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
Increasing body awareness: Somatic practices encourage a gentle reconnection with your body, helping you recognize and release tension patterns.
Releasing stored trauma: Through movement, sound, and focused attention, we can access and release trauma held in the body.
Supporting natural healing: The vibrations from sound therapy and the mindful movements of somatic practices can improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Cultivating resilience: By learning to listen to and work with your body, you develop tools to manage pain and stress more effectively.
Promoting emotional processing: These practices provide safe ways to explore and express emotions related to trauma and chronic pain.
In our workshop, we combine gentle movements, breathwork, meditation, and sound healing to create a holistic approach to healing. This integrated method allows for a deep, yet gentle exploration of your body's innate wisdom and healing capacity.
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A: The choice of vegan and organic meals aligns with the workshop's core principles of holistic healing and connection to nature. In many nature-based traditions, including Celtic shamanism and goddess traditions, there's a deep reverence for the earth and all living beings. By offering plant-based, organic meals, we're honouring this connection and doing our part to support sustainable, compassionate practices.
These meals are not only nourishing for our bodies but also for the planet. They represent a mindful approach to eating that complements our work of reconnecting with ourselves and nature. Plus, they're delicious! Even if you're not typically vegan, we believe you'll enjoy these wholesome, flavourful dishes as part of your transformative experience.
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A: Yes, I provide resources for continuing your practice at home, including meditations, journal prompts, voice work activities and a list of recommended readings. I also offer optional follow-up sessions for those who want ongoing support.
