Client Story
Meet Laura
Nursing Student
Had you done therapy/healing/inner work before? If so, how was this experience different?
Yes I’ve been in therapy since I was 16. This experience was centered more around respecting and addressing the body’s needs before being able to delve into deeper emotional work. Iona’s approach was more holistic and she provided practical exercises and tools to address roadblocks in the healing process. The therapy I had done before gave me the knowledge and language to talk about and understand my emotions, Iona gave me the tools to apply that knowledge in a practical, real time, way.
How would you describe working with Iona? What’s her vibe? Is she different than you expected?
Iona is very intuitive, empathetic, inquisitive, and passionate about her work. She doesn’t mince words but it is very refreshing and makes one feel that everything she says is authentic. I met Iona through a movement class and slowly got to know her through breathwork, and then individual coaching sessions. My first impression of her was that she was capable, strong, and (at the time) a bit intimidating. Through my own work I now understand that feeling of intimidation as a reflection of the growth I still needed to go through. She had/has a confidence and assurance in herself that I envied and craved. Little by little I am now learning how to build that up in myself. After getting to know Iona, and myself, more I see her as deeply sensitive, honest, with a high level of integrity.
How do you describe who Iona is to your friends? Your coach / teacher / guide / something else?
I have described Iona as a coach although I don’t find that term all encompassing. I think there is a discrepancy between what I know her to be, and my familiarity with her work, and others’ understanding of what the terms “guide” and “teacher” mean. Barring the exact term to describe what Iona does, I tell people that Iona taught me how to befriend my body and build my self esteem.
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How do you describe this work to other people?
I would refer to this work as healing work. It healed me in ways I didn’t know I needed healing. I was constantly trying to overcome my body’s needs by suppressing, ignoring, and belittling it. Needless to say, those didn’t work. Once Iona taught me how to improve my approach and respect my body, other parts of me that needed to be healed were much more accessible.
Why did you choose Iona? Why did it feel like a good fit?
Serendipity led me to Iona. It was kismet, fate. I needed only to listen. 2020 and the pandemic left me jobless, directionless, grappling with an eating disorder, a single parent with a romantic partner that could not support me or my child emotionally. I was struggling to get through the day. Ironically it was that romantic partner who forwarded me an email from Iona about a free breathwork class that put me on the path. The breathwork tore me open in the most beautiful and excruciating way. Iona was a beautiful leader and the work that needed to be done was clear as day. My mind and my body needed this work and I knew Iona was the person to do it.
What has surprised or delighted you most about this work?
I...am...free. Oh my goodness I feel like crying after writing those words. I was caught in the minutiae of life: the calories, the hours exercising, the tiny indent of skin at the waistband of my pants (which no one else could see). It was all a distraction from the fact that I had work to do and it was holding me captive. I dug in and did the work and I will never look back.
How did you know you were READY to do this work?
I knew I was “ready” because I saw two paths. On one, I would continue on the same path I was already on. I would be thin, “in control,” and miserable. I would be with a partner who did not know how to love me. I would continue not knowing how to love myself. On the other path, I did not know the outcome, but I knew that the faint landmarks I could see from where I was standing looked better than the path I was already on. In other words, to go forward as I was was more unbarrable than it was to brave the unknown. It was a turning point in my life and I will always be grateful for the decision I made, and the guidance that got me there.
What has changed most in your life, work, and relationships since you started this work? What are those “pinch me” moments when you realize that you’re a totally different person?
I have a new partner who is incredibly supportive of me and my daughter. I have a strong direction in life. I am getting straight A’s in a highly competitive accelerated nursing program and it feels easy. Most days I look forward to the future instead of dreading it or beating myself up about things that happen in the past. I am resilient. I love myself!!! That last one is still a work in progress but most days, in most ways, it’s true!
What would you say to a woman who is sitting on the fence and needs to hear the exact right thing to say, “Let’s do this.”
Take stock of where you are, how happy you are, who you want to be? How do you get from this point right now, to the next step, next level, next iteration of self? It’s ok to need help to get there. Iona is so passionate about this work and about each one of her clients succeeding in whatever way they can. What do you have to lose?
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