Interview With Intimacy Educator And Somatic Therapist Ailsa Keppie

Ailsa is a trained intimacy Educator and Somatic Therapist and has been working in the field of hands on bodywork, somatic coaching and healing for over a decade. Ailsa Keppie brings aspects from her background in circus arts, physical theatre, music, dance, myofascial release, bioenergetic processes, archetypes and spirituality to her work with clients. She is a published author of her compelling memoir entitled "By the Light of the Crescent Moon" which describes her incredible journey into Islam and polygamy and how it lead to her awakening and reclamation of her own Eros and power. Ailsa works with individuals, couples and groups both online and in person at her retreat centre Our Celtic Hearth, in Nova Scotia, Canada where she resides with her current life partner.

Interview With Intimacy Educator And Somatic Therapist, Ailsa Keppie

Hi Ailsa, great to meet you, how would you describe yourself to someone who didn’t know you?

I would say I am a lifelong student of self-awareness and spiritual connection. I express my personal view on life and relationships through writing, coaching, and working with the body. Expanding the feeling of aliveness both in myself and the people I come into contact with is something I find enriching and fulfilling.

In my younger days, I desperately sought fulfillment and inner peace. I studied music, science, dance, and the performing arts in an attempt to find my place and a way to contribute to the world. During this time of expansion and exploration, there was an underlying fear. Fear that I was not enough, fear of not being perfect, and a fear of being seen. At the age of twenty-five, these fears consumed me and I retreated into Fundamentalist Islam, and a polygamous marriage. I started wearing a burka in an effort to regain some sense of myself. Over the years, as I nursed my mother-in-law and raised four daughters, the containment of my chosen life became too constricting and I began to wonder if this path was truly the one for me. Finally, the overwhelming desire to once again be seen in the wider world prevailed and I left my life in Morocco to return home to Canada.

I continued to raise my daughters on my own and spent a decade learning and practicing the healing arts, which has finally led to a readiness to share my story and work with others, from a place of self-knowing. Through the process of diving deeply into the religion of Islam and living that way of life for many years, I have learned to embody the diversity of another culture as well as the ‘way of peace’ that is Islam. I continue to work these days with somatic coaching, teaching, and writing. I focus on healing relationships—with ourselves, others, and the planet.

What is it that you do for your clients?

As human beings, I believe we have a need for touch, connection, and intimacy that goes beyond the superficial material constructs of today’s western culture.

I weave aspects of embodied ethics, integrative views on transforming the patriarchal power structure inherent in our world, and use pleasure and the power of choice and voice to help guide my clients to recreate a life they are in love with.

Incorporating body wisdom, re-calibrating our nervous systems, and engaging our souls and spirits in our healing are the fundamentals of my work. My method can be especially effective for trauma recovery, reconnection with our true self, and expanding the possibilities for desire, joy and ecstasy to be more present in our everyday experience.

Who should work with you?

Working with me is not for the faint of heart. If you are ready to embrace change, face your shadow, and rise above your old, subconscious patterns so that you can empower yourself to live your best life, then this work is for you. I offer in person and online coaching, therapy and workshop/ retreats for individuals, couples, and groups.

What is your big goal? Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

I am currently building a retreat and healing space in the beautiful Annapolis Valley with my current partner, where we will be holding space for radical and responsible healing and community. I look forward to teaching and hosting other like-minded teachers and running many kinds of creative and healing workshops/ retreats and gatherings. The world is in need of safe spaces to come together and share our collective wisdom. I aim to provide such a space and experience. I look forward to welcoming whoever is called to this path.

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