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Upya
A Journey of Renewal and Inner Balance

Upya, meaning “renewal” in Swahili, captures the profound essence of rebirth, restoration, and fresh beginnings. It reflects a vision of transformation—embracing change as a natural, empowering process rather than a challenge to endure.

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At Upya Essence, we honor the body as a sacred space—one of deep wisdom, resilience, and creative power. Through healing movement, somatic awareness, and therapeutic touch, we guide women on a journey of reconnection, helping them reclaim their bodies as a source of balance and strength.

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We offer a sanctuary for transformation, where Longo Dance Ritual, Somapresence, and curated holistic massage therapy support you in realigning with your core energy. Our workshops, courses, and one-on-one therapies are designed to awaken your innate vitality, restore harmony, and inspire a renewed sense of purpose.

Your body holds the wisdom. Your essence is already whole. Upya Essence is here to help you remember and reclaim all that you are.

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 Dunya 

Embodied Wisdom: A Journey of Transformation and Healing

In the complex tapestry of life, I've learnt that our most profound teachings often emerge from our deepest challenges. My journey — a dance between loss and renewal, motherhood and personal discovery —has been a testament to the resilience that resides within each of us.

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The pivotal moments of my life converged in the delicate space between grief and growth. Losing my mother while simultaneously stepping into motherhood, became my most powerful catalyst for transformation. This threshold taught me that healing is not a linear path, but a circular journey of continuous becoming.

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My exploration began on the mat, through yoga, and expanded into a holistic approach to understanding the intricate connections between body, mind, and spirit. What started as a personal practice gradually bloomed into a mission: to help women recognise and honour their unique paths of healing and self-expression.

Over the past decade, I've worked with diverse communities—from Muslim women seeking body reconnection to individuals navigating chronic stress. Each encounter reinforced a fundamental truth: we are not meant to be carbon copies of one another. Our strength lies in embracing our individual narratives, our distinct ways of moving through the world.

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My connection to healing deepened through unexpected pathways. Exploring Longo, an African dance form, awakened my connection to ancestral wisdom and healing rituals. Each movement became a conversation with my lineage, a way of anchoring myself in something larger than my individual experience.

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Motherhood became my most profound teacher. In the midst of nurturing my daughter, I discovered the art of self-mothering—a practice of radical self-compassion and spiritual regeneration. This journey taught me to tend to myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually, creating a wellspring of resilience that could nourish not just my child, but my entire community.

I Find Profound Meaning In

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  • Listening to the quiet wisdom of nature

  • Cultivating deep, authentic conversations

  • Honoring my boy and mind capacity for healing and expression through quiet moments of solitude

  • Simple moments of connection

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Today, I continue to learn, heal, and grow—one mindful breath, one intentional movement at a time. My work is an invitation to other women: to explore the landscape of their inner worlds, to recognise their inherent strength, and to dance with the complexities of their own becoming.

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This is not just a journey of survival, but of radical transformation.

We are not defined by our challenges, but by how we move through them—with grace, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our own unfolding.

Training and Interests

MASSAGE BODYWORK TRAINING & EDUCATION

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  • ITEC Level 3- Swedish massage

  • Indian head massage certification

  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage certification

  • 5 Continents Biodynamic Massage initiation - Olivier Honsperger

  • Leminiscate massage with Renato Pappalardo

  • Reiki Level 1&2 certification

MOVEMENT TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

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  • Hatha YOGA 250H teacher with Sivananda

  • Egyptian yoga with Yogi Khane

  • 12 years experience teaching yoga in various form and communities

  • Longo Healing dance accredited Teacher

FEW OF MY GO-TO BOOKS ​

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  • Elima Mputu: Mukulu​

  • ​Krishnamurti: Freedom from The Known

  • Bernard de Montreal: Geneses of reality​

  • La voix du Toucher: Renata Pappalardo

I am continuously expanding my knowledge by learning from the teachings of Emily Conrad, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, and many other inspiring teachers.

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