I’m no stranger to this; one of my closest friends openly shares her “episodes” with me. I’ve never judged her. I accept her; however, she turns up. But hearing teacher after teacher speak on this, I realised something:

Neurodivergence is becoming more visible everywhere, yet it remains rarely discussed or acknowledged in the yoga space. This gap forms the core of my current insights and musings that the yoga world needs to recognise and honour the neurodivergence present among its teachers.

We talk endlessly about alignment, breath, sequencing… but we rarely talk about the teacher’s nervous system. We are expected to turn up, be a constant stream of energetic light, teach with unwavering presence and precision, and pack our entire humanity away in some locker that no one ever needs to open. It’s fascinating to me the compassion yoga teachers give, but very rarely is this received or given generously despite our consistent dedication to propping up daily classes, keeping spirits high and travelling to Timbuktu (metaphorically) to share this sacred practice.

There are days that are better than others, that’s for sure. The days when London transport isn’t playing ball so we get to the class five mins late but then management want to give us headache about something we had little control over. There are days when we cannot get cover to teach because we broke up with our partners, or received some bad news but we turn up with sweetness and light and deliver.

What happens on the days our executive function collapses?

The days we can’t tolerate interruptions, rushing, noise, or unpredictability? Or the days our sensitivity spikes? These aren’t character flaws. They’re human realities. But what if these things happen almost every day? Because of the conversations I had, I’m realising that this is the daily reality of a neurodivergent teacher or individual.

And as I sat with these teachers talking, laughing, drinking far too much caffeine/decaf, I began to notice something in their descriptions of neurodivergence that felt… familiar.

I found myself thinking that most people are neurodivergent. Hell. I might be neurodivergent as well. Will I ever get tested? No. That’s just not my style. I have a few mantras, one being that “I will not be defined by the rules and definitions of society”. I’m a live-and-let-live person, so no that will not be happening. But it does strike me that I possess a lot of the traits they speak of. For instance, I set out to write about intuitive vs structured teachers, but quickly found a deeper, juicier layer—this neurospiciness (a term I can’t claim but adore). Is following the thread good journalism, neurodivergence, or intuition? Does it need a name? hmmmm…

What I’m discovering is this:

There are two archetypes that kept appearing in my research on the yoga space…

The Medicine Mover - Intuitive, somatic, responsive and The Sacred Architect - structured, intentional, master of the grid. The one who lands and feels. The one who plans and builds. Both potent. Both sacred, both necessary.

But beneath these archetypes lies an unspoken truth: many intuitive teachers carry traits that echo neurodivergence. Not always. Not exclusively. But often enough to notice. Examples include being unable to stick to the confines of time, unable to follow strict rules and formats in general. There are other nuanced traits like not understanding or gauging spacial awareness (clumsiness), losing a sense of direction even though the map was followed… there are many but what I’d like to say here is that this can happen to absolutely anyone. What makes it different is that these things happen daily in the life of someone described as neurodivergent.

Because the world we are trained in, the world of the rigid “neurotypical”, anything outside of this is container is considered “different”, why? Most of the systems that we have come to identify as societal norms, are now crumbling in real time. They are masculine. Built mostly by men. No hate. Just truth. When we really consider what neurodivergence is in basic terms, it’s a way of thinking that doesn’t conform to the societal norm. Thats basically it. So who on earth gave the authority to someone to name and categorise someone who doesn’t think in straight lines? Who is the authority on thinking and why did we just accept rigidity as the standard and only way of existence?

We are witnessing institutions, industries, and political giants collapsing under their own weight. It’s obvious that we are no longer moving in straight lines. We are moving in softer spirals. We are unfurling in circles. The newer generations are built for this new paradigm. They are more aware than ever and confident in expressing their fluidity whichever way it manifests in their body. The earth is moving from this process-led structure to a more receptive, right-brained, nonlinear, imaginative way of being. And in a world shifting toward intuition, sensitivity, and inner listening… I wonder if the neuro-spicy among us are the early access holders? Are they the ones already wired for the new landscape?

A little on intuition

Intuition gets thrown around quite frivolously in new-age circles, but its roots aren’t spiritual, they’re neurological. It’s the body’s built-in guidance system, an internal GPS that constantly offers possibilities, warnings, and answers long before the mind catches up. The difference lies in how we relate to it. Some of us respond to that inner signal with instinct and trust. Others override it with logic, social pressure, or the endless “what will they think?” soundtrack. Those who lean into intuition often perceive the world through a slightly different wiring. They pick up subtle shifts others overlook, changes in tone, energy, atmosphere, breath. This isn’t fantasy; it’s a form of embodied pattern recognition. A knowing stored in the nervous system long before it becomes a conscious thought.

Science calls intuition unconscious learning: lived experience processed beneath awareness, resurfacing as a felt sense. The body recognises a pattern, the heart rate shifts, the gut tightens or softens, the sacral centre whispers yes or no. It’s somatic intelligence a sensory clarity that activates before the mind can name, and yet… even with all the science, I still believe intuition holds a kind of quiet magic. A shimmer in the unseen.

So with that in mind, let’s look deeper into these archetypes and see what they reveal.

The Medicine Mover: The intuitive teacher / the sensitive listener

When these teachers walk into a room they feel everything. The atmosphere, the emotional tone, the breath quality and the nervous system rhythms. This isn’t guessing. It’s pattern-recognition that runs deeper than conscious awareness.

Traits often seen in intuitive teachers:

• heightened empathy
• interoceptive sensitivity
• nonlinear thought patterns
• body-first information processing
• improvisation as second nature
• difficulty with rigidity, but mastery in the moment

They can often riff in the moment, seemingly without a plan. They’re not unprepared. Their preparation is present in their bodies, not in their notebooks. The teaching is always alive. It’s somatic and atmospheric and presents often as soulful. A form of intelligence that can’t be learned, only lived. Even writing this gives me goosebumps. Because these teachers don’t just teach; they transmit.

The Sacred Architect: The structured teacher/ the keeper of the grid

These are teachers who thrive in systems, sequencing, and intentional arcs. Astanga springs to mind. Their practices are temples built with precision, clarity, and care. They are the protectors of line, form, and containment. They think in pathways rather than spirals. Their brilliance is in the safety they create. Students feel held and supported as they are guided with reliability and purpose. It isn’t rigidity - it’s devotion to the container they have created. If you wanna do your own thing go practice in another room or stay at home vibes. I was once in a class and someone started doing handstands. The teacher said that’s not what I’m teaching can you stay with the class please? I liked it. Authority and leadership. But rigidity isn’t far from those pathways. Sometimes something just feels good and you want to go with it.

Some may follow rules because they’ve been told to. Others because the structure feels sacred to them. For instance, is there a reason why some Astanga teachers don’t allow students to use blocks - ever? Is this a rigid rule passed down from a structure they have chosen to push through, have they assessed if it’s relevant for the modern day practitioner? Have they experientially tried, tested and declined their use? It’s interesting, isn’t it?

So where do these approaches meet/overlap?

The truth is, neither archetype exists in isolation every teacher contains both, though they present differently. The grid teacher isn’t there to soak up the atmosphere or be subject to what comes up; it’s quite functional and deliberate. They have a plan to deliver answers by hook or by crook. They will adjust in real time, but can get annoyed when required to go off piste, I’ve seen this happen, and it was fascinating to watch! The gut-led teacher also has an inner architecture in varying degrees, but it’s less rigid in general. When something new arises in class, the intuitive will go with it…

The real artistry emerges when intuition is honoured, structure is respected, and personal gifts are embraced as superpowers to be cultivated. Each teacher’s unique approach is an elixir the world needs.

Of course yoga studios cannot create schedules just for those teachers who cannot adhere to time - it is after all a business but maybe they can create spaciousness. Space for the teacher to flourish should they suddenly have ideas during their session for deeper transmissions? It would take away the pressure to finish hard on the hour for the next class to come in. I’m not sure what the answer is but I know that teaching yoga is not about the notes we bring to class in case we forget something or even spontaneity; it’s more about perception, attunement, response, and leadership. For many intuitive teachers, a beautifully divergent nervous system shapes their perception, serving as a strength rather than a limitation when it comes to the practice.

As we move deeper into this era of uncertainty and transformation, the way we deliver yoga is changing because students themselves are changing. Their minds are shifting, their needs evolving. They’re no longer satisfied with the familiar, predictable class structures that once defined the studio experience. More people are craving community, richness, and practices that feel eclectic, embodied, and awakening. They want to be moved, not just taught. They want depth, empowerment, and a kind of awareness they can’t access through rigid sequences or surface-level cues.

And this is exactly where our beautifully divergent teachers step in.

These teachers, intuitive, sensitive, pattern-seeing, neuro-spicy in the best way, carry a kind of medicine that the new era is quietly calling forward. They offer nuance, presence, and creative intelligence that can’t be scripted or templated. They sense what the collective needs before the room even realises it. They are a resource we cannot afford to overlook.

If studios want to stay relevant, resonant, and truly supportive of their communities, these teachers must be integrated into the vision of what comes next. Because the new age of yoga isn’t built on uniformity, it’s built on attunement, diversity, and courageous, divergent wisdom.

Sorry team - we are late, tech issues, but we are here. This week I give a little information/rant on your rights as self employed/freelance workers. Areas covered are:

Fair treatment

Contracts

Intellectual property rights

Health and Safety

Benefits

More details to come :-)

TP: Bodhi, tell me about your background.

Bodhi: I started meditation when I was 15. Now I'm 44. I began by accident. To be honest, I wasn't seeking it at the time, but I had a naturally inquisitive spiritual nature. I was always interested in religions, why people believe different things, and how they decide what they came to believe - so I was interested in religion. Still, I wasn't looking for anything in particular, especially since I was young. I was suffering from anxiety, and it just so happened that one of my school friends' father was a transcendental meditation teacher. He spoke to my mum one day about my anxiety and said why don't you send her along to one of my classes to see if it helps. It was like a homecoming. Everything changed from that point, and it just felt so natural to me to meditate, and life changed very quickly. I practiced Transcendental meditation for a few years, which led to exploring other modalities such as Buddhism, mindfulness, yoga, Taoism, Paganism, and Druidry, which I really delved into. I even dabbled with some new-age stuff, which I've now left behind, but yes, my journey evolved from learning meditation to Reiki to yoga and sound. There are so many journeys that have now all blended into one.

TP: You are one of the few who run events rather than weekly classes. Tell me a little about that. How many events do you run weekly/monthly?

Bodhi: This year it has changed a little. I lowered the number of events I'm offering monthly. I ran twelve last September at its peak, but that was unusual. I wouldn't normally run that many, and it was more about me not checking my diary properly, lol, and yes, too many things. I can do anything between four and ten a month, but it changes through the seasons; for instance, term times have always had an enormous effect, so it's never been consistent.

T&P: Because its not a consistent number, how does this affect you financially?

Bodhi: It can be difficult at times because I find that school holidays have a significant influence on my clientele. Easter is a big one, and it's the first big school holiday of the year, and everyone just disappears. This April has been notably quieter than any other I've known. But I try to earn as much as possible in the run-up to these Easter and Christmas holidays to ensure I have enough going through those quieter times and balance the fiancées throughout the year.

T&P: How do you approach self-employment?

Bodhi: Self-employment has changed since I became fully self-employed in 2019. It's not something I planned. I knew I needed to remove myself from my previous business, where I was on the books as an employee rather than self-employed. It was easier for my business partner and myself to be on the books as employees. Since then, I've registered as a sole trader. I didn't go into this with huge plans of what it would look like. I also wasn't sure if it would be temporary or permanent. There was no proper plan. I just started and leaned into trusting the universe, which is still the way I operate today.

It's a challenging and lonely road being self-employed. There is so much you have to learn and do for yourself. In all of this, it becomes essential to outsource professionals where you can afford it. So it's been a massive learning curve. However, I've had to navigate a few changes, including the pandemic, as things were still fairly normal in 2019, and then less than a year later, the pandemic changed everything. The things I thought I would do then altered again with the UK going into a cost of living crisis, which meant adapting again. You have to be adaptable and willing to adjust and accept that things will always be in flux when you're self-employed, especially in the world we live in today…

T&P: Tell me a little about your creations over the pandemic

Bodhi: Well, I had to move everything online. It's not something I thought I'd ever want to do, to be honest, and even if someone had suggested this, I would have rejected the idea because I love being around people. Obviously, it's a very different experience. However, the choices were limited, and I wanted to support what people needed. So, I just got creative and offered mediation and Reiki workshops. It was important to me to be live and interactive - I'm not really one for pre-recorded options. People kept telling me to put courses out, but I prefer things to be live and interactive; otherwise, there is a tendency to switch off as there's nothing to engage with. I need human communication, whether it's on a screen or in person.

T&P: Tell me about your relationship with freedom

Bodhi: People talk about financial, emotional, or spiritual freedom. I think more about freedom in terms of spiritual liberation. Monetary freedom would be nice because you could focus on other things. Still, part of your journey or relationship with money and finances is a path to spiritual liberation. There is a lot in our conditioning tied up in cash. So many complicated things are embroiled in how much we have and what we do with it because it is how we provide security for ourselves, and so our relationship with how we survive and the things we need for survival depend on money, which means we have to cultivate a healthy relationship with it and work through all that stuff to experience freedom for emotional, mental and spiritual freedom so it's not easy.

T&P: What is your relationship with money? Self-employed people can have issues asking for money and knowing their worth—tell me about this…

Bodhi: I've been working in spiritual circles for approximately 20 years, so I've seen a real difference in people's attitudes. In the 90's, not many people had a spiritual business. It was always seen as more of something you did as a service, so people mainly were doing this or offering their services out of office hours - so evenings and weekends, or if people were in the fortunate position where they didn't have to work, they could have been the only people offering this throughout the week. It was also something that was never promoted or marketed in the way we do now.

People have always wanted to make money from religious and spiritual things, but it wasn't such a big thing then. It was considered a spiritual service rather than a business and was generally affordable and accessible. I could always afford spiritual events on minimum wage as a student or young person. Always. Now, it's an entirely different story. Now, spiritual coaches are popping up telling people to charge what they are worth, and for a while, I thought about it. I agree you do need to charge a fair amount. But when does it become a fair amount supporting sustainable living that becomes extractive? I see many [people pricing their services so high that they become financially inaccessible to most, meaning they target wealthy people.

T&P: That's a big question, isn't it? This feels like it started in California. People charging $500 for readings - I've often thought I cannot do that because I would be pricing most people out, and those priced out are possibly the ones who really need it.

Bodhi: Yes. The very first Reiki master in the West was charging $10,000 for Reiki master training, and that was in the 50's or 60's, something like that. There have always been people who made it exclusive, and I don't believe spirituality and wellness should be unaffordable. Fine, if you want to make fashion, luxury cars, and makeup inaccessible because this isn't stuff that people necessarily need, but we all need access to well-being and spiritual services that resonate. Sure, people can go to church and temples, but that's not everyone's cup of tea, so there should be spaces that are accessible to all to connect to the scared, the divine in the way they feel is right for them without it being organized religion or some kind of dogma being shoved down their throat. Anything that is even remotely close to that costs a fortune now, and it's getting worse because that is not just London. Prices for spaces and classes outside London are creeping up to London levels!

T&P: Are there things you feel you are missing out on regarding being self-employed - pension, holidays where you don't have to return and tread water to make the cash flow easily again?

Bodhi: I had an income drop through the business last year, with fewer people attending my events. And my community has been together in some instances for over ten years. They will often send me these lovely messages stating that they would love to come, but they just couldn't afford it - which is always nice to know because they haven't given up on their practices or gotten bored, but for sure, it's been harder so things like holidays have not really been feasible. We just went down to Galsonbury for a couple of days and ended up putting it on Klarna!

T&P: It is what it is!

Bodhi: I guess - But just a few days in Somerset… I should probably think about pensions, and I know there are schemes that you can sign up for, but to be honest, by the time everything is paid out, if you want to put your money aside for emergencies, a pension is just another expense and with the horror stories we hear these days of peoples pensions not being worth what they thought, I wonder if this is just going to be helpful in the future - is it just another lie that we've been sold. Do I want to put anything into a pension that could just go down the toilet or be virtually worthless when I could do something else with that money? Some people say it's impossible to not have a pension, and I've also heard a lot of people being very disappointed with theirs - it's a risk, isn't it?

T&P: It's the whole trust thing again, isn't it? Tell me more about trust…

Bodhi: Trust are those virtues or qualities you must spend a lot of time cultivating by constantly being tested in trust. I've got 20-plus years of practice in trusting, so I'm getting better at it. I'm probably taking the most significant step toward trusting the universe I've ever had to take. Not just putting my things in storage but leaving the space I've called home with no clear plan of where I will be next weekend. I feel this powerful, intuitive sense that now is the time to get out and move on with my life. I've outgrown this place; even this town is a natural progression. I trust my intuition enough to do it, especially when it feels this strong. Whenever I haven't trusted my inner guidance, you know, listening to other people - everything f**ks up!

T&P: You primarily teach meditation. Tell me more about this, as I've mainly spoken to yoga teachers who obviously teach the physical aspects…

Bodhi: I am a yoga teacher but prefer teaching more devotional aspects and building a relationship with the divine. So, yogic meditation, energy cultivation techniques, pranayama, and yoga philosophy. I love ceremonies and rituals, but they are not necessarily from any particular yogic tradition. The ones you create from the heart can be meaningful as they are things we can all embrace. What I love about yoga is that it fits very well with a reverent attitude towards nature, so it's not always about being seated; sometimes, there will be movement and walking practices. I love silent retreats offering silence or silent community hours where we just sit together with the possibility of sharing afterward. I don't feel I was meant to be an asana teacher. There are already millions in the world, and I didn't need to add to that number - there's more than enough!

T&P: As we come to that, I want to speak to you about competition - How do you feel about competition in your field?

Bodhi: I don't want to sound big-headed, but I don't feel I have any because I don't feel anyone has my exact experiences, beliefs, or faith. Of course, there will be similar people, but we all have differing personalities and ways to share our work. If anything, we complement each other. Competition, I believe, happens more with asana teachers because there are so many offering similar classes it must be harder to be unique. Its only when people get to know the teacher that they understand the uniqueness.

I have noticed a growing number of sound therapists in my area. Ten years ago, there were only five of us in the whole of Hertfordshire—now, there are easily five in my current neighborhood. But even in that field, there are significant differences. We seem to use different instruments for our events and have different approaches to them. Some go into the whole New Age Chakra balancing and cacao drinking type of experience, which is not my thing. I use a mixture of things, including chanting…

T&P: …And people jumping on the bandwagon…

Bodhi: That's it. You can buy a set of crystal bowls on the internet, and the next day, you're a sound healer—no one questions it at all. It's that easy, but it's disheartening that people think that's okay.

T&P: Yep. It is a pursuit or devotion - there's a skewed line there…

Bodhi: Yes. It feels like sound healing and cacao ceremonies have become commodified to the point where people just put them in their spiritual shopping trolley. They buy cacao from Holland and Barrett, get a set of bowls, and serve it without questioning whether the spirit of cacao wants them to be a vehicle for her medicine. Some people do it with absolute reverence, which must be honored.

I've seen so much of that. I won't actually go to an event anymore as long as cacao is involved (laughs).

T&P: LOL! Speak to me about the silence

Bodhi: I find that from my own experience of when I first did a silent retreat for myself, they were the most profound kinds of spaces and experiences I had. It made me realise that less can be more, and we need balance because the world is boisterous, full, busy, and chaotic. There's so much to take in, especially now that we have devices where we can always access information; we are addicted to them - it's hard to switch off. With everything happening in our world, we are not encouraged to counteract or balance it rather than buy more things and experiences. Being in silence and embracing a little stillness (stillness isn't imperative) is where I can go into the deepest states of rest and hear my intuition. Often, it is where my creativity arises - from those spaces because I'm free from external influence.

I always feel a million times better, even at home. I set my timer to 10-30 mins, and I'll just be silent.

Silence can be used negatively, but that's not all of what silence is. It's important to remember that silence, like darkness, is neutral. We need both just like we need sound and light, but we've become conditioned to believe that both the silence and the darkness are something to be feared or shy away from - they are neutral.

So, silence and the darkness can be embraced as a sanctuary. Spaces and places to rest and grow and learn more about ourselves. I won't start running dark retreats just yet, even though I love them. Just starting small with the silence and eventually growing these days to weekends and maybe embracing the darkness one day…

T&P: Who is the person who chooses to go on a silent retreat?

Bodhi: It's quite a mixture, really. Introverts come. They're relieved they can go to an event and not have to talk to anyone. People who have practiced mediation regularly and feel like they want to explore beyond the techniques, those who recognise the need for balance. Some are curious and want to see what it's like to be quiet for a day. If you sign up for a silent retreat at the minimum, you sign up for two days so the days I hold aren't as intense and hold minimum commitment.

T&P: The name Trinity & Pope originates in New Orleans and is basically the 3 ingredients used as the base of all their dishes. Without these, the dish isn't authentic. Give me three words that sum up the essence of who you are as a woman, human, and teacher that allows you to move into authenticity and integrity when you share your work ✨

Bodhi: Devotion, authenticity and integrity.

You can find Bodhi and her work here

Milly: I began my career in film and television as a child actress until my mid-twenties and then worked in casting. These were exciting, privileged experiences, but I always felt I hadn’t quite landed on my true “thing.” Starting work at such a young age meant I’d never had the chance to explore myself academically or creatively.

It wasn’t until I turned 30—when my son was three—that I began to explore the world of psychotherapy and coaching, initially as a client and later through formal training. I took a postgraduate psychodynamic psychotherapy course at Birkbeck in London, which completely opened my mind to the possibilities and benefits of therapy—not just for others but for myself. That moment was hugely pivotal, both personally and professionally.

Today, I run a private practice in two areas: classic psychodynamic psychotherapy for individuals and business and career coaching for individuals and teams. My approach is integrative and relational coaching with a psychodynamic foundation.

I initially set out to support women in business—particularly in navigating the mental health challenges that can arise in professional spaces. That mission continues to inform and inspire my work.

T&P: What is your approach to being self-employed?

Milly: Being self-employed is a mix of beautiful freedom and nerve-wracking financial unpredictability! I’m naturally less structured—and being diagnosed with dyslexia in my mid-40s helped me understand myself better, so I now counter that by setting daily non-negotiable tasks.

T&P: Discovering your dyslexia later in life must have been a shock — how have you used this as a superpower rather than something to hide and be ashamed of?

Milly: I always knew I was dyslexic — reading as a child was virtually impossible. What was interesting, though, was that I could learn huge blocks of text when I was acting, even though I couldn’t read fluently off the page. It wasn’t until I went to university that I realised I needed to look at this in detail. At first, having it formally confirmed was upsetting; it made me reflect on just how much I struggled as a young child.

But now, I see that so many positives have come from having to work around my dyslexia. It’s never stopped me — if anything, it’s pushed me harder to succeed. I’m grateful for what I’ve overcome, mainly because there were times when I felt such deep shame and embarrassment. Even now, I make so many typos that I’ve learned to laugh it off!

My son, who is 18, is also dyslexic, and we often talk about it as a creative gift — an interesting difference rather than something negative.

T&P: What made you choose this independent route rather than being an employee?

Milly: After years of working within companies, I found the constraints stifling. I craved the autonomy to build something aligned with my values and rhythm. I’ve also run my own company and various restaurants—very different experiences, especially with a large team in hospitality—but this chapter felt different. When my son turned 16, it marked a turning point. I felt ready to commit to building something of my own, reflecting who I am as a woman, a mother, and a professional.

T&P: How do you find clients?

Milly: Primarily through Psychology Today, but word of mouth has also become a significant source. I’m very grateful for the organic growth over the past few years.

T&P: What do you find most challenging about being self-employed?

Milly: Finances, without a doubt. I also miss being part of a team—but the rising cost of living makes financial stability an ongoing challenge, especially in therapy and coaching, where many people need support but struggle to afford it. I often adjust my fees to reflect what clients can manage, which isn’t always sustainable for me, but I genuinely believe in the value of the work.

T&P: How long did it take to fill your practice?

Milly: It was a slow start—just one or two clients at first, which, at the time, felt worrying. But in hindsight, it gave me space to grow into the work. I now see around ten clients a week, and that slow foundation allowed me to evolve in a way that works.

T&P: How do you balance life and work—especially when passion and profession overlap?

Milly: Boundaries took time to develop. As someone who coaches others on work/life balance, I am now more attuned to my needs. I divide my time into thirds: one-third business, one-third leisure (fun!!), and one-third creative and research-based pursuits that fuel my personal and professional life. I always loved the party. I grew up in Dalston in East London in the 80s and 90s. I have realised as I’ve got older, it's something to be encouraged and nurtured, rather than thought of as just my history or a luxury. It’s a vital aspect of my creative life. It’s part of my essence.

T&P: How do you differentiate yourself in such a saturated field?

Milly: It’s true that therapy and coaching have become increasingly popular, especially post-pandemic. I have thought about this so much, and ultimately, I believe no two practitioners are the same. Even with similar training, the therapeutic relationship is deeply personal and unique. I see my work not just as a job but as a way of life. It’s a space of continual growth, learning, and deep connection. And honestly? The more, the merrier—there’s room for us all!

T&P What are the five most significant challenges of self-employment?

Milly: Planning, maintaining work/life balance, loneliness, financial risk, and prioritising self-care require ongoing attention and investment to sustain a healthy practice.

T&P: How do you honor your worth in terms of pricing?

Milly: This! It was a tough one for me early on. Pricing a service—especially one so personal—can raise all kinds of emotional issues around worth and identity. But I’ve come to see that clarity and consistency around fees are essential—for both me as a practitioner and my clients. It allows the relationship to start on solid, respectful ground.

T&P: How do you decide what to charge?

Milly: I have a standard rate but adjust it for around 20% of my clients, depending on financial need. Others in my practice subsidise that adjustment. When I work with businesses or teams, I charge a percentage-based fee linked to their annual turnover.

T&P: Do you find it hard to ask for money?

Milly: I did at first. I come from a background where money was always tight, so talking about it—especially in the context of something as personal as therapy—felt uncomfortable. Over time, I’ve learned that fee transparency is part of creating a respectful, grounded relationship. I always discuss it during the initial consultation so we know where we stand. I also keep a portion of my practice flexible to ensure that support is accessible—that’s important to me.

T&P: What do you spend on running your business?

Milly: For a long time, working from home kept costs low. Now, with a new space, those expenses are growing. A website and solid marketing tools are key initial investments that pay off in the long run.

T&P: How do you stay creative—especially when seeing the same clients long-term?

Milly: Such a good question! Because as someone who always wants to feel engaged, I hate to admit that I always thought I might struggle with this. I was worried I wouldn’t be good enough to keep focused. However, thankfully, I have found the therapeutic relationship's evolving nature endlessly fascinating. I am constantly surprised by what I learn from my clients, and because of this, I stay curious. I am so grateful for this. This relationship regularly sparks new learning that fuels both me and my practice. That and my ever-evolving 18-year-old son Sol – him and his zest for life is a constant source of inspiration.

T&P: Do you prefer annual payments or monthly debits for expenses?

Milly: Oh, I’m absolutely the person double-checking every payment! My dyslexic brain means I keep meticulous (if slightly chaotic) lists to track things. Financial clarity helps me stay grounded.

T&P: What about self-employment enhances your life?

Milly: It’s been a journey of self-discovery. I’ve created a career that aligns with who I am, both personally and professionally. It’s stretched me emotionally and intellectually in all the right ways. It’s deeply fulfilling. Being older has been a gift!

T&P: What do you miss out on by not being in traditional full-time employment?

Milly: The safety net—pensions, benefits, paid holidays—isn’t there, which can be tough. But the autonomy and freedom I’ve gained outweigh the trade-offs. I do have to plan ahead financially—there’s no clocking off—but I wouldn’t trade the life I’ve built.

T&P: What are your ‘three ingredients’—your personal “Trinity”—that ground your authenticity?

Milly: Curious, excited, and ready—those are the energies I think I bring to my work, my relationships, and my ongoing growth as a woman.

T&P: What are you reading, or can you share a book with us that has changed your life?

Milly: I always found reading incredibly difficult, so I didn’t read novels for a long time to avoid that feeling of struggle. But I read a lot more when I had my son —it was such an exciting discovery.

Aside from the academic texts I read to support my work, I’ve recently been getting into the books of Irvin Yalom, an excellent American psychotherapist. He writes beautifully about the therapeutic relationship and the process of therapy itself, and his work has really resonated with me.

T&P: What are you currently working on?

Milly: I’m excited about a project focused on helping women return to work after life transitions—whether motherhood, illness recovery, or a complete career change. I’ve also been doing deeper research into women’s health, psychotherapy, and entrepreneurship. So, I'm excited to see how I can incorporate that into my work.

You can connect and find Milly here

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I didn’t realise that when I started this project that it would turn into something quite disruptive to the industry. When I looked on the magazine shelves all I found were yoga magazines talking about asana, seeds and yoga pants. And where I love a good yoga pant that make my legs look bomb, and I’m deeply compelled by the yoga asana, I also think it's important to bring something a little different to the party. This is a magazine for yoga teachers (who are not just interested in hearing about poses and props) spiritual entrepreneurs and creative mystics; aiming to highlight the overlooked, the unique and those who have an alternative way of presenting themself to the world. They filter the practice through their specific embodied lens and they are the epitome of what yoga is on and off the mat.

I’m looking to disrupt the yoga magazine shelves by bringing a different perspective. Fresh and fearless with no nonsense bureaucratic hierarchy to prevent the development of witty bants or intellectual dialogue.  Trinity and Pope is a dedicated resource for yoga teachers and spiritual creatives who challenge the status quo. We are here to explore the industry in ways it has never been. So buckle up it may get bumpy. But most of all we are hoping to celebrate the unnoticed and give them a platform to be seen.

The name originates from New Orleans and is the foundational three key ingredients incorporated into all of their fabulous dishes that bring people together in union. Onion, bell peppers and celery - without those three things the dish isn't authentic. When I looked deeper analytically, I discovered that everything in life consists of the Holy Trinity - the key three. In western spirituality its Mind, body, spirit, Sun moon and stars, and in alchemy is sulphur, mercury and salt. In the Hindu philosophy its the Gunas - Tamas, Rajas, satva, In astrology the signs are either mutable, cardinal or fixed. I could go on and on and it started to make sense to me everything is divisible by three - the Holy Trinity is The Son, The Father and The Spirit. 

It becomes obvious to me that it doesn't matter what or who we bow our heads to. At the end of the day we are all inextricably linked in one way or other simply just by being here at this time and that alone is a beautiful thing.

I wanted to create an innovate space to celebrate those with no voice, people who are possibly overlooked but are absolute genius' in their methods and offer eclectic insights, tips, and a sense of community. I checked and there is nothing currently available on the market that is presenting what I’m planning to share which is a deeper often hidden perspective that shines a light on the current yoga scene as a whole, the teachers' experiences, with the practice, with the studios, with the students, with poses, with philosophy - everything!  How yoga teachers are coping in the day to day workings of their craft. Highs and lows, funny stories, sad stories, discussions on asana and philosophies that encourage us to connect with higher and deeper perspectives and interviews with some of my favorite teachers in circulation.

Yoga for me has never just been about what happens on the mat. That is just a fraction of what yoga is. Over the years this has become more apparent through various life changes and hard lessons that now more than ever, yoga teachers and educators need an outlet or a platform to share information that that isn’t censored and smothered in red tape and people pleasing.  If that's you, this may not be for you but you may enjoy being shook a little. At least we live in a democracy the last time I checked so there should be space for all voices to exist. 

I do feel it's a privilege to be able to share this wonderful method. I still pinch myself at times and wonder how I got to be so lucky to share yoga as a career pathway.  But there have been many ups and downs just because I have a voice I choose to use. 

As teachers we know that a lot of the yoga we experience occurs off the mat. It’s in the way we treat people, it’s in the way we eat, it’s in the way we love. Yoga off the mat becomes the most important practice. The physical is easy - distraction is easy. When we really have to be still and silent thats when the real work begins. Yoga teachers are just as human as everyone else who live life like the rest of the world I have over 20 years experience of practice and teaching in this industry so I do consider myself an expert of sorts 

Its a dream come true for me to publish my own magazine. I’ve got a degree in Printing and publishing and really I thought it was all for nothing till this moment as I type I see it all come together and it feels sublime.