About Tessa
Hello!
I am a women’s health expert and train professionals in the art and skill of holding space, whether it’s in a listening circles or through CPD workshops.
I support girls and women in a number of ways to support the best possible relationship with their bodies and puberty, menstrual cycles and perimenopause.
Podcast episode on my backstory - from academic researcher to mumpreneur and author (20 mins):
Yoga, circles and meaningful connection (audio & video)
At a glance…
Trauma-informed yoga (Pregnancy, Mother & Baby, Yoga for Women, Birth trauma)
Events to support rites of passage (e.g. menarche, puberty, mother blessings)
Caversham Women's circle
Author of books for women and girls
For professionals…
Professional Reflective Circle
Pregnancy & Postnatal Yoga Teachers CPD
I'm passionate about the power of knowledge - about how our bodies work - to empower our lives and choices. I couldn't have guessed how my calling would manifest when I decided to study a BSc in Anthropology and Geography. I’ve always been intrested in people and why they do the things they do and this led me to a PhD in Medical Sociology (publishing 25+ papers on patient priorities, normalisation of chronic illness and more).
Who do I work with?
My local community through classes/ workshops/ retreat days for those wanting to learn to listen to their bodies and be responsive to what they find! Combining strength, flexibility, mobility, presence, groundedness and centring.
The gatherings and workshops are for any person or parent who's ready to change the story they or their family have about bodies. I want you to be amazed by the human body and its physical and emotional potential. So many people are ready to move away from seeing the body as shameful or somehow dysfunctional, and instead celebrate that we have a body to take us through this crazy thing called life.
Other professionals such as movement teachers, coaches, counsellors, circle hosts through trainings and mentoring.
Organisations that hire me to teach on their courses (e.g. somatic practices to counsellor trainings) or give a talk (e.g. about creativity and cyclical living).
Why work with me.
I live and breathe menstrual cycle awareness and embodied living. Locally I'm known as the Period Lady haha. (That's not on my business card BTW - ‘Women's Health & Yoga Specialist, Menstrual Educator, and Author’ is).
I've trained in person with incredible women: Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer (Red School Menstruality Leadership Apprenticeship and Menstrual Medicine Circle), Jane Bennett (Celebration Days for Girls), Uma Dinsmore-Tuli (Well Woman Yoga, Mother and Baby Yoga, Total Yoga Nidra), Sophie Docker (Non-Violent Communication, Restorative Practice).
I completed the Trauma Resilience Embodied Yoga (TREY) and Social Impact training with Aneta Idczak and the Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga Introductory Workshop (TCTSY) with Alex Cat. I undertook a year-long course in Focusing, to deepen my felt experience of interoception and embodied listening with Marta Fabregat. I constantly strive to guide people safely into connection with their bodies again. I also became a Restorative Justice Facilitator in 2025 to add to my circle facilitation skills.
I'm a life-long learner and love to share ideas. I've written/illustrated eight books and been published in Juno, Green Parenting, Mother and Baby Magazine, the British Wheel of Yoga's Spectrum, Aeva and Om and Yoga Magazine. I sat on the Maternity Voices Partnership at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for 9 years to facilitate feedback on services, contribute to change and keep up-to-date on the latest policies for expecting and new mums. I currently mentor young people as a volunteer for Starting Point.
What next?
Have a look around my website and book for classes or training via the schedule page. If you don't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to email me.
If we work 121 it can be in person or by Zoom.
No question is a silly questions, so ask away.
Did you know…?
I have an MSc in Nutrition, Exercise and Public Health, and like with most things, I take the middle path when it comes to eating and moving. I eat healthily and more recently have used Intermittent Fasting to support my slowing metabolism in perimenopause.
I love dancing and like to channel Shakira after getting a Silver Award in Bellydancing and taking part in numerous glitzy shows. Following a rhythm - no problem. Keeping a rhythm with an instrument - forget it.
My PhD and postdoctoral work took me to some great conference locations: US, Canada, Malaysia, France. BC - ie Before Children - I also was lucky to backpack to Thailand, Indonesia, India, Ghana, and the Caribbean.
I love to read. I usually have a pile on my bedside table (and floor) of non-fiction books - anatomy, psychology, women's health, period books, vagina books.... - and a novel (best one recently The Overstory).