Hello, I’m Grace.
HAIR
I’ve always had a creative urge, so when I found hairdressing, it felt wonderful to have an outlet that also helped people feel great.
I’ve worked in a fair few salons, all different to each other, all of which I have been lucky enough to learn from talented people. I’ve also spent many years educating young people about hair, helping them grow their skills, get qualified and build confidence, which I have loved.
I lived in Sydney for years and worked in hairdressing, cutting and teaching. There were A LOT of big bouncy blowouts and beachy waves, as well as precision bobs and short hairstyles, too.
I moved back to the UK after the COVID pandemic. I, like many, cut all the shags and mullets there were, and I really started to enjoy cutting for natural texture and minimal styling, lots of curls, micro fringes and razored edges. I LOVE IT ALL!
I moved to Brighton, where I furthered my knowledge of cutting curly and natural, textured hair. I worked at Cuttlefish Eco Salon specialising in curly hair. I am confident and skilled in providing a well-rounded service for all curly/wavy-haired clients.
Expanding my skills was important to me. I wanted to give clients with all hair types a great haircut. With years of curly clients behind me, I realise just how many have had bad or traumatic experiences in salons, so I’m really happy that my curly appointments offer a nurturing experience for my clients, rooted in my wealth of experience in haircutting.
I encourage people in my chair to have the experience they want. So, whether that’s chat or no chat, an opportunity to read a book or sit in silence, do work, or just stare into space. I’ve got you covered. I cut all hair and I love the creativity of having variety in my day.
YOGA
Before I found yoga, it was easy to feel lost. I struggled with anxiety, low self-esteem and a lack of energy.
Every time I felt overwhelmed by life, I would become physically unwell. This continual process led to me feeling disconnected from my body.
My mum has always encouraged me to look at my health holistically. After trying various things over the years, I decided to see an Ayurvedic practitioner. He suggested I meditate to strengthen my mind, and practice yoga to strengthen my body. I’m so thankful for this advice.
It wasn’t a quick process. A busy schedule and a struggle to find the discipline required to practice every day before work made it challenging, but over time, I noticed the impact it was having on my life, and I fell in love with yoga.
My first teacher was brilliant at holding the mirror of accountability up to me, helping me learn to show up for myself. The love, support and discipline he showed helped me so much and made me want to become a teacher one day.
I was intrigued by the philosophical teachings of yoga. The surrounding discussion provided different perspectives and showed me the importance of self-enquiry.
Slowly, yoga became a sanctuary for me. It gave me a new awareness and compassion for myself, something I had struggled with in the past. It has supported me physically, spiritually, and emotionally ever since. Yoga has encouraged a kinder, more reflective approach to myself. This has gently rippled out to areas of my life in need of care. The depth of thought the practice provides, and its ability to inspire self-investigation never ceases to amaze me.
Moving from place to place over the last decade, I’ve been lucky enough to learn from some incredible teachers.
My first 350-hr teacher training began in 2019 in Sydney. We studied and practised over a year and a half with Mick Barnes at the Yoga Factory. This was a modified Ashtanga practice. It was very much a hands-on approach, with lots of experience teaching and assisting, while attending many weekend intensives on yogic history, mythology, asana and anatomy. Yogic philosophy was one of the things that drew me in and continues to fascinate me. The community was so special and I feel the whole experience over the years of practicing there created a really solid foundation of what yoga embodies.
I am coming to the end of a two-year, 500-hour teacher training with Vajrasati Brighton. The training covers the history and philosophy of yoga, encompassing different philosophical traditions. We look at yoga in its many practices and lineages and deep-dive into human anatomy. This course has been massively influential and fascinating. The shared learning within the Vajrasati community is very special. I thoroughly enjoy being a student and I always have some sort of yoga book on the go.
I have studied with Calli Popham (Brighton) and also undertaken a prenatal yoga teacher training with her and Jocie Cox under Embodied Beings. Embodied movement is about the way it feels, not the way it looks. We learn to create movements while listening to its feedback and that can be very powerful as we connect with our own intuitive wisdom. Embodied movement is about empowerment as we move from the inside out. This approach has been hugely influential, giving me freedom to explore yoga without rigidity or expectation.
Yoga is an experiential practice, and although it has been discussed, studied, and written about for thousands of years, it’s the embodied experiences and the opportunity they provide for self-discovery that I’ve found so powerful.
Sharing this knowledge with others is an act of service that I feel very passionate about. If any of this resonates with you, I’d love to welcome you to practice with me.
Yoga Training:
350 YTT with Mick Barnes at the Yoga Factory - Yoga Australia
500 RYT with Vajrasati Teacher training (ending in July) - Yoga Alliance
20 hrs CPD with Calli Popham - Embodied beings, embody & flow - Yoga Alliance
40 hrs with Prenatal YTT with Embodied beings, embody & flow - Yoga Alliance
I am fully insured.