Hello friend, I’m Emily Holden.

A group meditation session with participants lying on yoga mats around a decorative centerpiece, led by a person sitting cross-legged.

I work with my mum Jan, my husband Cristian, and our friends Jane and Amy.

Together, we offer the embodied experience that is bodysacred retreats.

Who else grew up feeling kind of awkward in their bodies?

I was full of body shame. I thought I was greedy, insatiable. I thought no one would ever love me. I thought I would never love me.

That all turned out

to be total bullsh*t.

Two women sitting together, smiling and conversing in a relaxed setting.
Person performing a yoga pose at home on a yoga mat with a plant in the background.
Woman smiling at the beach wearing a floral shirt and necklace with ocean in the background.
Group of women sitting on yoga mats in a meditation room
Group of women outdoors, one in floral shirt smiling, another in a hat, and a third with gray hair. Background of greenery and rocks.
Person sitting and massaging their abdomen, wearing a heart-patterned shawl and floral pants, in a room with wooden flooring.
Woman tilting her head back, partially open mouth, wearing a dark top and a fleece-lined jacket.
Close-up of a woman looking to the side, wearing a black top and a necklace.
Person pinching their abdomen while wearing a patterned skirt and a black top.
Person stretching with head tilted back, wearing a black shirt and patterned pants, in a room with a plant.
A group meditation session with participants lying on the floor while an instructor sits cross-legged, focusing with hands on chest and abdomen. The room has a large window, potted plant, and framed artwork on the wall.
Person doing yoga on a mat with hands and feet on the floor.
Person performing yoga indoors on a mat, surrounded by plants and artwork.
Person with eyes closed, arms raised, possibly dancing or practicing yoga indoors.
People sitting with eyes closed, appearing relaxed.
Three women engaged in a therapeutic session on a mat indoors, with one lying down and the others providing comfort and touch.
Person performing foot massage on another individual's bare feet on a yoga mat.
Person receiving a foot massage from a masseuse on a wooden floor, with a towel underneath their legs.
Foot massage on wooden floor, with person kneeling, holding another person's feet.
Woman playing a drum indoors, wearing a black and white outfit with heart patterns, and sitting on a wooden floor with a large plant in the background.
Group of people enjoying a drumming activity indoors, with a person holding a drum and mallet, smiling, in a warmly lit room.
Two women participating in a group activity indoors, smiling and holding hands, with others in the background.

Here I am, in my middle years now, and I feel so at home. In my body, in my life, and in my communities.

I now have over a decade of experience of holding sacred space.

I never thought I’d call myself a priestess, it sounded weird to me, and I didn’t want to freak people out too much. But it turns out that’s exactly what I am.

I’m a priestess of somatic practices, and I’m devoted to this earth.

If you come and work with me, you’ll see that this work we offer is grounded, gentle, loving, and supportive. It’s ancient yet it feels fresh. It’s not religious, it’s human.

My people tell me that these somatic and ritual practices that we do together in sacred space enhances their lives and reminds them why they came here to this earth.

I want you to

remember

who you are.

I have been a teacher since I was 18. First I was a linguist (English, French and Spanish) and then came embodiment, somatic practices and women’s circles.

I have always intuitively known how to bring people together and make them feel exquisitely comfortable and welcome. I have always needed to support people as they learn.

I’m a bridge, I’m a catalyst, I’m your guide who walks alongside.

Person smiling on a beach with waves in the background on a sunny day.

We originally came together as a team to heal food and body image issues, our community was called ‘I eat what I need.’ We have been offering this life-changing work since 2015.

Since then our community has grown and evolved into bodysacred retreats.

We are sensitive and soulful women who come together to do somatic practices for self-healing in sacred space.

My teachers have been plentiful and generous. I am grateful to them all.

My first and best teacher is my mum Jan, best beloved doula, soul midwife, and gentle leader among women.

I have studied in the UK, the US, Spain, Italy, and online, for many years now.

For yoga, embodiment and somatic meditation, I am grateful to:

Marc Acquaviva, Helen Eadie and Clara Davaar, Reggie Ray and Dharma Ocean.

For spirituality, I’m grateful to:

Jalaja Bonheim, Elayne Doughty, Ariel Spilsbury, Sharon Blackie, the Red Tent community, my ancestors, and the spirits of the land in East Anglia and Catalunya.

I read about a book a week usually, plus maybe a podcast, so I’m your women for learning recommendations!

My clients share their experiences…

  • "Working 121 with Emily enabled me to reconnect with my body for the first time in many years, helping me to contemplate me eating and body image issues, as well as wider emotional trauma."

  • "Emily really is a high priestess of somatic work and held us all with such kindness."

  • "Emily worked her magic on my body and soul. If you need gentle embodiment work, then there's no one better to hold your hand."

  • "I worked with Emily 121 for about a year. I can honestly say it was the best healing therapy I've ever undertaken."

  • "Emily is an extremely gifted teacher and healer - the best I've ever worked with."

  • "Our sessions together have helped me greatly to embrace my own life as a neurodivergent, sexual, creative and empowered person."

  • "Emily has such an intuitive, gentle and warm approach."

  • "Emily really helped me to understand how to feel my emotions through my body."

  • "I don't know anyone else who is doing this sort of work in the same way."

Dive into these waters with me.

Come and feel held in sacred space.

Know your body as sacred ground.

Feel deep respect and reverence for the wonderful human you are.

Know the earth as your supportive and loving friend.

Feel the magic of a community of women surrounding you in loving energy.

In devotion to your healing, your vitality, your freedom…

Big hugs,

Emily