About Natasha

 
“Natasha is a lover of mystery, translator of ancient thought, a shamanic buddhist feral and right-left brain passionate.”
— S.G.
 

I’m Natasha, also known by my buddhist name Nagadipa.

Welcome to the Art of Rewilding which I set up nearly a decade ago after a series of serendipitous incidents including finally meeting David Abram having just finished my thesis, which was in part about how his writing, and the work of Merleau-Ponty, gave context to what was unfolding in my fine art practice. At that time my fine-art medium was no longer craft-based in the ordinary sense of the word - there were no paints and paintbrushes in sight. Instead art lived itself through me using the hues, tones and shades of temporality, transience, space, philosophy and nature.

And so my work began tilted towards Art and for many years has leant over towards Rewilding - what it means to rewild myself, yourself, ourselves.

Elements you will find throughout my work are: nature-based rites of passage, embodiment practices that listen to the wisdom of the body and aid integration, the creative impulse, soul craft, ritual and myth.

The binding thread of my work supports both individual and collective change. I strive to blend ancient wisdom with contemporary culture, connecting you with your innate wisdom and awakening true authentic nature. Whilst offering ways to ground it back home one step at a time.

My work as a vision quest guide, retreat leader and mentor is without doubt impacted by my life as an artist, and my buddhist practice which includes a personal penchant for the practices of wisdom, kindness, spaciousness-within and the four sublime abodes, in particular equanimity.

I have 20 years of experience in transformational healing arts. As a licensed coach, my work draws on my 26 years of Buddhist practice (and nine years as an ordained Buddhist) alongside 10 years of dedication to therapeutic and embodiment modalities, specifically Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing method, Identity Orientated Psychotrauma Therapy, Compassionate Enquiry and Generative Change.

I have a private practice and primarily encourage people to align with their true nature and embody the gifts they carry, so that they may live as powerful, healing influences in their communities.

I offer online and in person programmes, nature based seminars and retreats, vision quests and one-on-one mentoring and am based between Denmark and the UK.

As featured in The Guardian: 10 of the Best Wellness Nature Retreats for 2024

 

  • D.S., Somerset

    If you have a chance to work with Natasha seize it. She is a rare gift of quiet determination, deep compassion and authentic wisdom.

  • A.W, Sussex

    Natasha brings a fiercely feminine perspective, full of love, raw authenticity and connected somatic movement skills. She guides with such humility and grace - you're free to seek whatever medicine the land has to offer you. It's a real gift and real wonder to behold: the power, magic and story of wild nature speaks through her.

  • N.T., Scotland

    Natasha has been my mentor for over a decade, and without her I might still be asleep to my desires, to my creativity, to what lights the fire within. Most of what brings me joy today, I can trace back to a seed that she planted in the wild landscapes of my being, before I even knew they existed. Rarely do you get such a gift in life - am so grateful to her. Without our mentors, community, our teachers and our elders we are so small. We need them in our life. Thank you.

Lineage and Gratitude

 
My deeply felt gratitude is to my own wilderness mentor Annie Bloom who for many years was a lead guide with Animas Valley Institute, before stepping into her own profound and unique ways to approach initiatory rites.
For showing me the ways of earth, the f***ing wheel and so much more I am grateful to my co-guide Werner Pilz who is also a trainer of vision quest guides through Eschwege Institute.
For guiding me through the treacherous waters of spiritual bypassing (in both directions) I am indebted to my Buddhist teachers Vessantara, Ambaranta, Atula and Paramananda. 
For teaching me how to navigate myth, shadowlands and ritual with a sincere heart and steady ground I am most grateful to Atula.  
“They’ll eat you up for breakfast unless you can show up as yourself” -  the first of many shared wise words from Daniel Ford whom I first shadowed with on my teacher training. 
I’m forever grateful for the creative impulse that has lived with me from early in my life - without this I’d have been lost to nihilistic states of mind, for sure.
Lastly I remember and honour the land who teaches me the ways of earth and relationship every day.
 

Abridged Bio

 
Certified with accreditation in Generative Coaching, Creative Mind & Systemic Trance. Held ICF Membership from October 2021-June 2023. Team leader for Robert.Dilts and Steve Gilligan for 3 years 
Identity-Orientated Psychotrauma Therapy. IoPT training with Vivian Broughton completed in 2022
Accredited Mindfulness teacher having delivered bespoke courses in MBSR including within HM prison service for 4 years
Certificated Focusing Practitioner. Having specialised in Untangling with Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin. With a current orientation towards Full Body Focusing
Professional teacher training certification in the form of a PGCE in post compulsory education
25 years meditation and Buddhist practice.  Ordained within my tradition 9 years ago, my work as a Buddhist has included serving as a prison chaplain
Currently in-training with Rasmus Ludvigsen from Scandinavia Shamanic School, deepening the animistic aspect of my work. .
My Wilderness Guide Training over the last ten years includes mentoring with Annie Bloom (former AVI lead guide) and apprenticing with Werner Pilz. Having also trained and assisted with SOLB.
My love and deepening into Myth, Archetypal psychology and Dreamwork began with Atula and The River of Soul.
8 year full time Fine Art/ Photography training including a Masters in Photography. 20+ years Professional Fine Art Photographer including having exhibited internationally
20 years facilitating Mindfulness and the Arts, specialising in creative and contemplative photography, myth and creative writing, and The Artist's Way; developing presence and freeing creative expression