Emily Rose

Yet another multi-talented and highly motivated woman to cross my path, I met Emily through a number of our mutual friends and attending the same yoga school for some time. When people begin to show up in your life in a number of ways it’s important to take notice!

Having a number of things in common- studying art, nutrition and yoga being so important in our lives, I very much enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about Emily!

I am so grateful to be meeting more and more health conscious and creative people doing their thing in their own unique way. Emily is certainly one of those, someone we learn from and turn to for inspiration. Read on to hear how she incorporates so many wonderful practices into her work and projects…

Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do:

I am fascinated with that place in the middle, somewhere slightly unknown but also familiar, just before the sunsets after a beach day you don’t want to end, the perfect balance that's ever changing and not quite here or there, hard to recreate but something to always aim for.

I was in my mother’s belly whilst she taught life drawing, I began life, drawing and now I share life drawing sessions too. Encouraged from a young age by a creative family, all I ever wanted to do was continue this, I have done almost every job from cleaner to KP to administrator, nurse, hospitality and management to sustain my passions. I continued to train as an Artist becoming passionate about sustainability, obsessed with turning lost objects into stop frame animations. This turned into collections of driftwood and the art of drawing with fire - pyrography and the quiet stillness drawing can bring, especially as a collective, with other drawers. I began gathering small groups together to draw from life and find peace together for a moment in drawing workshops, I particularly love to share this with people that are new to drawing and I love that look in their eye when they find that moment for the first time.

I am a strong believer of following my passions and creating a living from them knowing that I will always be met by challenges but the passion will guide me through the struggles.

Gradually fascinations of the natural world and food progressed to another career as a Nutritionist with a curiosity with the mechanics of how food and herbs can medicinally support our bodies to be our best selves. Now I share workshops, consultations and lectures at universities and events.

At the same time grew a platform The Letgo Studio bringing together Artists & Wellness Practitioners to explore our health creatively in workshops. Workshops leading me to explore training as a Mindfulness Practitioner and later an Indian Head Massage Therapist - both of which enable us to find that calm in the storm. I truly believe anyone can create and draw if they want to, and we all have the potential to grow fruitful with the right tools that work for us uniquely, with nutritious creativity.

My main focus with healthful living and creative practices is to search for that ever changing balance, that place somewhere in between, and how we can strive to maintain it in a manageable way. Dynamically changing like the moon and the tides and the weather, through lifestyle choices, creative living, and long term nutritious habits.

What is your ideal way to start the day?

My ideal way to start the day is slow! Some days it is stillness, some days it is yoga - I continue to lie and look out of the window and drink water that I purposely leave beside me for the morning. As I sip I look at the trees and the birds and the clouds, that I am lucky to have just outside my window - mindful of the thoughts and avoiding thinking too much of what's in store for the day - if things pop into my head I’ll write them down so I can pause for a bit longer. I’ll avoid my phone which I leave on airplane mode for as long as possible. Or a movement morning will be a lemon & ginger tea and a nice yoga stretch - if I start slow this way on my terms, the rest of the day is productive and energised.

Do you have any daily rituals/ routines? Morning and/or night?

I have blue light filters on all devices and turn devices off as early as I can to better my sleep. I skin brush and I lather myself in various essential oils day and night for their incredible smells but also their medicinal properties. I like to write, either in the morning or the night, especially when my mind is more busy. I also love to draw my thoughts too. I generally practice yoga in the mornings but also enjoy yoga nidra before sleep or listening to a guided meditation too. I love to put on an audible or a podcast as I unwind in the evenings or as I get ready in the morning. Listening to radio 6 is a regular activity or my own music and dance!

Do you have any practices or remedies to stay healthy, both in body and mind?

Cold showers! I feel more energised, my skin feels great and so does my hair, the sea is a good tool for this too, I also practice yoga regularly - I love hot yoga but also various styles and I know that if I become a little unsettled or foggy that a stretchy practice will ground me, something about the synchronicity of movement and present focus. I also practice mindfulness and meditation and try to do this every day even if it’s just for 15 minutes, if I am too busy then I know I need to meditate even more! I have various herbal concoctions I make and take, depending on the seasons and the reasons. Homemade elderberry tinctures in the winter, nettle tonics, regular magnesium flake baths, soaked flaxseed tea, apple cider vinegar shots, I also don’t wash….. my hair! I use minimal products and all natural, apple cider vinegar & rosemary hair rinse, and a weekly hair oil pamper to keep my hair from getting dry - I also massage my feet with oils - this is a nice winding down activity in the evening - our feet are maps to our bodies, my next venture is reflexology!

When you need to get out of town, where in nature do you like to escape to?

I have recently discovered three cornered cops near my home - walking distance during lockdown which was my saving grace - I love to go to the new forest and also visit Wales where I cycled to recently, going on long cycle adventures is my favourite, I like to think that building a life we don’t need to escape from is the ultimate goal.

How do you like to spend your nights and or/weekends?

My favourite evening is a meal with friends, talking about the world and interests and passions, sometimes followed by making music, singing and dancing. At the weekend a camping get away - also with singing and dancing - or a long walk in nature and a swim in the sea or cycle, being outside!!

How do you unwind, re-centre and find balance?

I find the best way to find balance is a perfect balance of many things, laughing, listening, speaking my truths, being still and moving, walking, hugging, nourishing with water and nutrients, reading, singing, being grateful. Many things are opposites but work in synergy - good sleep with an energising day for example. I know that if any of these things are not in balance usually going outside for a walk and grounding in nature or stretching to some yoga will help to re-centre - also breathing - deep breaths - this is a practice with yoga so another reason why it works so well.

What is your favourite way to exercise?

My favourite way to exercise is yoga every day or at least a few times a week, a cycle adventure, a trip to the allotment or help with a friend's land for digging, or a long walk at the weekend and a swim in the sea - have I mentioned I like going in the sea?!

Your favourite meal to cook?

My favourite meal to cook would have to be a curry, a dahl - that warm nourishing blend of spices with coconut but also a great way to use up ingredients - I usually soak my brown rice and beans in the morning or night before to make them more digestible.

Your favourite place to get dinner?

My favourite place to get dinner following my food theme would have to be Planet India, wonderful family run vegetarian curry - the 1/2 plates in Brighton - ½ of 2 dishes or the thalis with friends in their other restaurant in Hove.

In what ways do you work to find balance in your life? Eg. work, social, family, self

I am a strong believer of striving to maintain balance; knowing full well that it will be met with challenges as a lifelong skill to maintain, but so worthwhile and fruitful for optimal wellbeing, mind, body and Soul, consistency is the key. The reason I have chosen the paths I have is because I have a strong value of work/life balance being as equal as possible, this feels the most fulfilling. Being able to enjoy my work but also switch off and give time to my family, my friends and of course myself is extremely important. This is an ever growing, ever changing and challenging journey. Being adaptable is key and constantly assessing boundaries, checking in on my values and giving myself the space I need to see things clearly, to admit when I am wrong, when I need to change because I know I am always learning and growing.

What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?

I love to read and listen to audibles. Non fiction, about nature, life, neuroplasity, sustainability, rewilding, food, essential oils or herbal medicine - I always have a new inspiring book or podcast to dip into and improve my knowledge, and try my best to just stick to one as I get too excited sometimes and start a few…

I feel I am mostly on an inspiring train and it's rare I fall off it - there’s not enough hours in the day to fit in all my interests - but if I do I have a list of recommendations I keep handy to fall back on. If I am in dire need, old classics will be found at the book shelf, Kahlil Gibrans ‘The Prophet’ for example, I love that there are chapters ‘on love, on food, on hope’ I can dip to a chapter to reference the moment.

How would you describe your style? What & who influences you?

My Style is a mixture between practical and patterns. I only shop in charity shops/second hand or sustainable where I can - I love to buy things that are long lasting too - for example my vivobarefoot slick black walking shoes, and my green dungarees, I love to splash a bit of colour with a headscarf in the summer and a chunky necklace and a bright beret in the winter. Most of my clothes are quite old, and I still love them - I go through them periodically and get rid of what I don’t wear so my style has been pretty consistent the last 10ish years really! I am influenced by anyone who lives their passions and is not afraid to speak their truths.

What is your definition of beauty?

My definition of beauty is nature and people at their finest, a colourful sunset, a heartfelt smile, true joy in someone’s eyes, a drawing depicting a moment, a meaningful hug, words unsaid when needed.

In what ways do you care for your mind, body & spirit?

I try to be careful of the words I say in my head (and out loud!) I hear them more than anyone else's words so I try to make them kind, about myself and others. I try not to judge and remind myself that there always is another side, and I may never know, and that's ok. If I am happy just to be then everything else can come easier and if I care for either my mind, body and spirit they will all look after each other too. Nourishing food - but not too controlling, exercise but not too much, devoted practice but with ease, being in the moment.

What are you most grateful for in your life?

I am most grateful for the small things in life, those tiny moments that happen where I feel I am so present that the ground would swallow me up and I would be content to float away. My family being solid rocks, my friends for being a solid crew and for finding some of them so young too. For being lucky to have a strong sense of purpose and gratitude for a life to be curious about.

Current favourite…

Book- Wilding - by Isabella Tree

Movie - Whiplash

Song- Pancakes - Marvin Pontiac

Podcast- The Great Humbling

Clothing item- My Green Dungarees

Coffee shop- Twin Pines

I usually ask if you can share with us any big plans/visions you’re working towards...despite the current events and isolation time is there anything you are working towards/ any future visions?

I have managed to cycle to Wales this week which was such a delicious treat after recently coming out of lockdown - it was also to raise money for Help Refugees - you can still donate here - the money goes where it is needed most which at the moment is Covid Support.

I am aiming to travel with The Letgo Studio to support the vulnerable that might not be able to travel far - with nutrients and creativity - now this would also benefit those that remain in isolation, and anyone affected by isolation. I am hoping to get some funding so this can be provided for free to those that need it.