Kelly Botham
Belper, Derbyshire, UK
I live in the Derbyshire, UK area and hope to eventually start in-person classes as soon as I build up enough interest (message her if you want an in-person class). Currently, I offer monthly online classes via Zoom. Classes run between 75-90 minutes. Each class is based on a different theme, i.e. ‘Open to Receiving Love’ or ‘Living Intentionally.’ Classes start at 4:15pm UK time, but you are welcome to join from wherever you are in the world if the timing works.
More info can be found on my website: www.soulhaven.love
Kelly strives to help women reconnect to themselves through nurturing self-care practices, like Qoya and meditation, so that they can be their most authentic and joyful self.
She was born and raised in the US, lived in the Middle East & China, and now resides with her husband & three children in Derbyshire, England. She is a Certified Qoya teacher as well as a Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher.
Kelly knows from personal experience what it feels like to be disconnected to one’s heart and to feel like you lost ‘you’ somewhere along the way. Her intention is to help you link back into your own body & soul + needs & desires and hopefully find a community of other like-minded people to connect with in the process.
She hopes you will let her be your guide on this journey of reconnection. May you always know how worthy you are and that you matter just as you are right now. Let's dance...
When did you take your first Qoya class? I first heard about Qoya in 2019 from a fellow camper and a summer camp for adult women I attended. It piqued my interest because it incorporated so much of what I love movement, intention, reflection and inclusivity. I started with the 10 days of Qoya Love e-course and loved it so much that I quickly moved on to signing up for teacher training. And as they say, the rest is history.
What does it mean for you to teach Qoya? Qoya is a journey that I think I will always be on and I love that. Each time I dance through a class I understand more about myself and those I dance in community with. I love the opportunity it gives me to connect deeper with myself with every stage of movement. I truly believe Qoya will help people all over the world by allowing a safe space to move and reflect in order to explore one's own relationship with their own body and soul. I feel privileged to be able to do this work.
What is your favorite song to dance to right now? Break My Soul by Beyonce is currently the song that gets me moving any time I hear it right now. It helps me put the world to right when everything feels heavy.
What book has inspired you on the path to embodying the feminine? A book that really impacted me was Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd. I finally felt seen, but more importantly, I finally saw myself. It was healing and enlightening in so many ways, but especially because it taught me there was a different path I could walk that is more true to who I am.
What would you tell someone who is thinking of taking a Qoya class for the first time? My favourite part about Qoya is the fact that there is no way you can do it wrong. It is all about doing what feels good in your own body. Inclusion is something I value, which is why I appreciate this and also that it can work for people of all abilities. If there is no way to do it wrong, it can't hurt to give it a try! Just get curious and see what happens.