We are Together Culture: Meet Antoinette
Member since September 2023
Together Culture is growing a community of outrageously curious, open-minded and creative members who care for each other and want to build a more inclusive and ecological Cambridge. Today, we’re introducing you to Antoinette, an NSDR / yoga nidra meditation guide, and soon to be Wedding Celebrant. You can find out more about her work here.
Why did you become a member?
I became a member because I needed space to work in that wasn’t at home, but that was also the right environment for me. That meant with like-minded people, safe, light, and in alignment with my values. I honestly didn’t think there was anything like it out there. There’s a growing number of co-working spaces springing up, there’s also hotel lobbies, etc., but these places often feel soulless, can be daunting, you’ve no idea who anyone is, and the context is still very much hierarchical and authoritarian. And while they do provide available space, they’re not at all what I wanted.
I wanted to be connected with people and to at least recognise people. And to know we’ve fundamental shared values, and that I’m not feeding some big exclusive corporate engine! I wanted a genuinely welcoming space. One that enhanced my wellbeing. And I found it walking past on launch party day, where I signed-up on the spot! A wonderfully life changing decision.
Tell us a bit about what you do
I guide people in something called non-sleep deep rest (NSDR), which is the scientific name for the ancient practice of yoga nidra meditation.
Traditionally, this is practised lying down, being as comfortable and cosy as possible. Think of it as resting in your nidra nest. This might be on a comfy sofa, a bed, the floor, or perhaps in an easy chair that fully supports your body and head, and usually with a blanket to keep you warm as the body cools down during states of deep rest, plus a couple of pillows/cushions for under your knees and your head for extra comfort and bodily support. It’s designed to be an effortless practice. Yet the cumulative effect is transformational, and is also where the subtle process of rewriting and firing up new neural pathways can take place, replacing old limiting beliefs with new life enhancing habits.
At its core, it’s a fully guided meditation that uses breathwork, body scan, visualisation, and revisiting your intention. And I've been trained to do this in a trauma informed way, and where everything is invitational. You either close your eyes or take a soft gaze, and simply listen to my voice while I take you through various stages of deep rest via the alpha, theta, and delta brain wave states. The basics of practising yoga nidra results in: your body being able to access states of deep rest and restore at a cellular level, a mind that gets to switch off, enhanced cognition, easier learning, better sleep, a soothed and reset nervous system, and an improved brain-body connection, with more self awareness and loving acceptance of self.
And in mid July (2024), I’m training to be a wedding celebrant. So a wonderful balance, and two different sources of joy that I get to share!
Tell us a bit about what you’re working on at Together Culture
I usually come here to study and write meditation scripts. And as my studying and development in this is lifelong, I’ll keep doing that. And once trained as a celebrant, I’ll likely enjoy the space for writing those scripts too. For me, I’ve found that this space is exactly what I need, especially in the morning when there are other people here with their heads down too. Then when it opens up at midday, it’s really nice to have a chat.
Your favourite things about the space
The fab location, and the way the inside space is divided up into workable areas that are separate, yet at the same time connected, it’s cleverly done. There’s also a definite felt sense of flow in the space, which makes it able to be enjoyed as multiple spaces that can be flexible, rather than remain fixed. It’s comfortable. Light filled. A healthy environment, where it feels like the values are infused in the air; you come in and it just feels nice. So nice. I also love the music that’s played in the background, which often contributes a very lovely vibe.
And I love the events that are held here, the range of the events, how truly enjoyable they are, and how approachable and genuine people are here. Which to my mind links with the general air of interest and the way conversations strike up; all in such natural ways. Before you know it, you’re making friends and you’re collaborating, or gaining/sharing/honing skills. And it’s easy! It’s so easy. A key word that comes to mind is egalitarian, which is of course different and measurably more expansive than the hierarchical ways of thinking we’re still surrounded by. Since each of us is unique, it feels how it intrinsically should be in that it embraces this uniqueness. And it’s a space I’ve been unfolding into at my own pace, and where I envisage getting to collaborate on many events over the coming years and decades. This space is quite something. And I feel immensely fortunate to be here.
Your creative superpower
Active listening. Which I’ve come to understand stems from my being able to be authentic in my conversation with myself and others, through connecting with my heart, my mind, my gut, and in trusting/listening to myself.
And for me, I’ve observed that being able to connect with the person I’m sharing space with / listening to, whatever their age, is linked to my continuing to be active in learning to be true to myself and in learning to accept myself more and more and more. It’s a really welcome surprise actually, albeit a work in progress :)
Plus, I’ve identified that active listening is also in alignment with loving-kindness / metta meditation core values, of which I’m a practitioner.
Your hope for Cambridge
It’s a big hope...and I think it’s an achievable hope.
Because there are so many people who want, even crave, similar contextual values and qualities. Which put very loosely, are rooted in being able to live a fulfilling life, where we know we’re loved and valued and connected and seen and heard and delighted in. And for that to be an ordinarily inclusive and reciprocal way of being. Having that space for it to grow and flourish in is key. Both external space, and space within oneself.
So without meaning to sound cliché, I think it does boil down to creativity. And that becoming aware of this vibrant core part of who we are, is a solid first step. For as long as I can remember I’ve observed that we’re all creative. But when we’re stopped from recognising or connecting with this innate part of ourself, or when we're somehow restricted from enjoying or honing our natural talents, we become misaligned and miserable and ill in a myriad of ways ~ residing in a type of internal dystopia within ourselves, that often ripples out into a lived reality, trickling and flowing into the lives of others too.
Since every single one of us who’s not connected to our unique self, regardless of income or perceived status, is living in psychological and emotional deficit of some sort. My hope is that here in Cambridge, each person is able to connect or reconnect with who they really truly are, in ways that cheeringly resonate with them. And from there, unfurl into a life that is genuinely satisfying ~ and a foundation for wellbeing. This, of course, is a cause for celebration! I love celebrating others, and wholeheartedly believe we should each be celebrated. There are so many different ways in which this can be done ~ from the first and sometimes seemingly unnoticeable steps...all the way through to the traditionally recognised ones. And I look forward to doing so.
It's clear that having the type of spaces that Together Culture provides, to help facilitate those personal journeys of discovery and joy, is key. And I strongly suspect that our societal systems will change significantly as we move forward in this....
What would you like to tell members?
Hello! And if you see me sitting on one of the sofas, grab a drink and say hi :-) I’m often up for a chin wag. Also, most people haven’t heard of yoga nidra / NSDR - google it, and if it’s something that piques your interest, come along and try it out with me! Just look for Restorative Rest in the Together Culture events calendar….
Community Membership is £18.50 a month; become a member here. Email ellie@togetherculture.com to find out about Pay What You Can membership.
And you’re invited to join us on 22 June for Saturday Lounge - a free event celebrating our neighbourhood!
