The Pink Room Leeds

My next is a series of workshops for women and q***r folk with ADHD/Autism, diagnosed and undiagnosed.

It makes me do a lil lol that I've called it the unmasking circle because who the f*ck knows how to actually unmask after all this time. I think for me that looks like hosting a circle and looking NON of you in the eye and you knowing I still care and have compassion and am thrilled you're there.

Anyway. This is the second of these circles, the first was a learning curve and I've changed the format quite significantly because what I observed was everyone *really* wanted to connect and engage with each other about their experiences and do less of the movement and mindfulness.

So now it is 2 hours, an hour of deep relaxation and tension release through still, supported yin postures working with the meridians which soothe the nervous system and ADHD appropriate mindfulness. Followed by an hour of tea and cake and community building chats following the theme "superpowers".

I hope you will join me.

£25, at and I'll be hosting 🌞

More info on the events page, link in bio.

Mum + Baby Circle - 90 minutes for your well-being, your development and for you to feel nurtured.

Babies up to 15/16 months, or at whatever age you feel like you can no longer benefit from the group.

Link in bio to book.

C L A S S S C H E D U L E

These are my weekly classes for matrescence classes, usually there's availability on BYOB yoga as the space is huge but book ahead for the circles.

Link in bio to book 🌞

Taster sessions get a cheeky discount with code TASTERSESSION.

C L A S S S C H E D U L E

These are my weekly classes for matrescence classes, usually there's availability on BYOB yoga as the space is huge but book ahead for the circles.

Link in bio to book 🌞

Taster sessions get a cheeky discount with code TASTERSESSION.

I've written two posts and deleted them because honestly I don't know what to say anymore on here. I'm feeling so uninspired and burnt out and just honestly so over Instagram. I dunno how to promote my work anymore, I get nowhere and it takes so much emotional energy to put myself and my work out there over and over. I love what I do but this side of it feels toxic and not worth it.

Anyway, decided to post this instead because I thought it might feel relevant or resonate with a few of my colleagues.

If you like what I do please let word of mouth prevail and tell someone 🩷🧡

✨ Coming up ✨

Things with places available to book - all info on the website.

Xoxo

H I Y A ✨🔮🪻

It's been a while since I put my face in the grid and shared a lil bit about the person behind the business. Hi 👋 I'm Ella!

I never know what to say about myself and where to even begin to explain why I opened The Pink Room and now run The Pink School or why I'm passionate about empowering women. I've always found it easy to know what's right and wrong and then feel absurdly passionate about it, often to the detriment of my social skills and friend making abilities 🫣.

The Pink School is born out of my desire to do my bit, it's a good little platform to talk about equality and use my own skills to help women feel safe and empowered.

I think a big part of why I do what I do is because for a lot of my life I've not felt safe, or like I belong - like so many of us I have my own catalogue of trauma. I do this work because I want to empower women and help them feel safe, heard, important and like they've found a space that they can belong.

I'm not into the BS that often pairs wellness, I don't expect anything or anyone apart from turning up if you feel able and being kind.

Photos:

1. Me doing what I do best, bringing a group of women together with a little bit of magic and relaxation.

2. Way back when celebrating gaining my very first qualification in this industry as a Holistic Massage Therapist.

3. Many moons and CPFs later qualifying as a Yoga Teacher, which changed everything ✨.

4. Cutting the ribbon on The Pink Room with my best pal - my beautiful shop + studio in The Corn Ex that was entirely dedicated to women.

5. As a baby graduate in Sociology from Durham Uni - who knew I'm such a clever clogs.

6. Ella in Ella wearing my fave trousers RIP, Sri Lanka. I was really lucky to spend a lot of my 20s hard core backpacking around the world

7. Some total cuties at my The Mum and Baby Circle.

8. Working during COVID with my massage pal

9. In my happy place practicing some energy healing in The Pink Room 🔮

10. Family 🩷💖🧡

That's me - in a nutshell.

A Moment For Fatigue | New Monthly On-Demand / Online Workshop.

This monthly online workshop is designed for people who struggle with mental and/or physical fatigue although anyone is welcome. It would be particularly nice to incorporate around your period, if you bleed.

The session aims to ease the aches and pains which often come hand in hand with limited mobility and living with any condition which creates fatigue and sooth the nervous system to gently calm the mind. The journalling element in this first session aims to help you reconnect with your body and discover how it responds to stress, overwhelm and anxiety. Next time we will explore shifting your mindset away from things you can't do and curating a list of things you CAN do.

One of the biggest challenges I face in accessing wellness is finding a class which aligns at the same time as I feel able. I have spent so much money on things I have booked on to and then been unable to attend. With this in mind, I will record the class at the time listed and then make it available on-demand for one week for you to access when you feel able. I hope this enables you to work the session around your own energy.

The first session is Thursday 30th May, and then every four weeks from then on.

I hope you can make it.

The Unmasking Circle

As we all now know, women are often missed when it comes to diagnosis of ADHD and Autism which in many cases leads to a lifetime of anxiety and depression, sometimes a misdiagnosis of C-PTSD. As an undiagnosed neaurodivergent woman (with a diagnosis of C-PTSD and a personaility disorder), awaiting an Autism and ADHD diagnosis (why is it taking forever), I know how important it is to have wellness spaces where we can just BE, in the knowledge we are surrounded by other people with similar lived expereinces of masking and struggling, without judhgement and in a space curated (to the best of it's ability) for my mind.

Existing in a neuro-typical world is exhausting, absolutely exhausting. The most simple things can spike a fight or flight response meaning we are often in a state of overwhelm and anxiety - which is where I think these circles become invaluable.

Read more about why I think this is in my most recent blog post, see highlights.

Of course I am not expcting us all to just simply unmask, like we haven't spent our whole lives moulding our foundations to the wrong blueprint, but I encourage you to do what makes you feel more comfortable without the need to conform.

Essentially I want to carve out three hours of your day where you don't have to make excuses for who you are and to know that you are enough.

This is a monthly circle, the first is 12th May 10 - pm at in Headingley. Accessibility info on the booking page.

👀🪻🔮

⌇ A R O M A T H E R A P Y ⌇

Swipe to see my guide to buying oils.

My current fave for an awakening blend:

3 drops Lemongrass 🌞
2 drops Eucalyptus 🌿
1 drop Lavender 🪻

In my eyes, all three of these are core to a basic aromatherapy kit. Along with:

Geranium
Black Pepper
Tea Tree
Clary sage
Peppermint
Patchouli
Bergamot

Always keen for more recommendations of brands you trust, let me know below 👇.

⌇ A R O M A T H E R A P Y ⌇

Swipe to see my guide to buying oils.

My current fave for an awakening blend:

3 drops Lemongrass 🌞
2 drops Eucalyptus 🌿
1 drop Lavender 🪻

Always keen for more recommendations of brands you trust, let me know below 👇.

✰ V A L U E S ✰

Your values are your roots, anchoring you to the earth.

I'm so excited to get back to this work. I'm absolutely at my most content providing nurture and guidance to women who need some TLC.

Also looking forward to wearing those leggings to work again.

I've been thinking about values a lot recently, and how aligning with our values helps us feel whole and fulfilled, but when we aren't aligned we can feel a bit lost and at sea.

In terms of depression that's something I've become acutely aware of and the older I get the more I realise how ensuring I'm ticking some boxes on the values front means my head feels much better.

I really value my time teaching, I really value the practices I am honoured to facilitate. I absolutely adore this work and I'm so excited to start adding little pockets of wellness coaching back into my life now maternity leave comes to an end.

What are your values? Do you know?

Well what do we have here?!

I've got two new classes coming up at in April and May 🌞.

Storytime Yoga 👧📖 - Yoga for little uns, focussing on emotional development, breathwork and movement through story

These sessions are aimed at children who are able to move around a yoga mat or from a wheelchair/chair and able to engage with story.

Postnatal Yoga 🤰🐣👶 - A mix of gentle movement to ease tension in the body, connection to the pelvic floor, breathwork and a touch of strength building around the pelvis, and other areas which need a little TLC after pregnancy and birth.

This session is BYOB (bring your own baby) but with a total focus on mum, babies are of course welcome. It is a free flow, informal session - do what you can to join in and let's have a laugh and a move together.

You can park your pram next to your mat, bring an extra mat if you want them close or dock non-movers on our cosy crash mats. It is going to be noisy, probably like no-other yoga you have ever been to - but equally fun and rewarding. The aim is to give you some freedom of movement, and to be able to focus on your body and mind in between inevitably checking on your little ones.

Comment "tell me more" below for more info 👇

Just a reminder ✨

A month ago I asked my followers, as part of my campaign to tell me what they do to ease their anxiety.

This is the first of a series in a collection of posts I'm doing which aim to collect anecdotal advice from people struggling with different conditions which disproportionately affect women.

The reason I'm doing it is because when I host events at The Pink School and when people get chatting in our shop it was so valuable to hear all the different coping mechanisms you've discovered work for you. You can read all the books, speak to the best therapists and medical practitioners but sometimes all you need in that moment is to hear from someone else who is going through something similar.

I chose anxiety because as someone who historically has struggled with nervous system related disorders I know how lonely and overwhelming it can feel when you first hit that realisation that you have to do something about it. Where do you begin? There's so much advice and really, it is a bit of trial and error to figure out what works for you. That in itself is scary, and a process. But you'll get there.

So what can I tell you from my own experience? Take each day as it comes, tomorrow is a new day and just because you might feel on the edge of disaster now doesn't mean you will forever.

Hope the slides are helpful in some way.

"The Mother".

Today (and everyday) I am celebrating the people in my life who offer me nurture, compassion and play "the mother" role but did not give birth to me.

I asked AI to right me a post about the role of "The Mother" goddess and nowhere does it mention having children.

🌺 "In the realm of divine energies, the Goddess as 'The Mother' reigns supreme. She is the cosmic nurturer, the embodiment of unconditional love, and the eternal source of creation. 🌙💫

Her arms are a sanctuary, cradling both the universe and our deepest sorrows. She is the gentle whisper in the wind, the tender touch in every sunrise, and the heartbeat echoing in the rhythm of life.

Today, let's honor the sacred essence of 'The Mother.' Tag someone who radiates the nurturing spirit of a goddess in your life. 🌸✨ "

Nice one AI. I have endless people to tag.

I am also celebrating me today, not because I have two daughters but because I know I offer up a nurturing role to so many people in my work and personal life and I expect you do too - so wether you have children or not let's celebrate all the nurturers today.

It's not all or nothing. You can still fight for what is right, and be vocal on what you believe without being perfect.

I have a female empowerment business, focussed on inclusivity and accessibility and I am so far from the perfect feminist. I've made countless mistakes and that's cool (even tho they upset me at the time). Each mistake is a learning exercise. But I'm trying. If each of us tried, willing to learn then just think how the world would look.

Am I scared of saying the wrong thing, of course! Am I scared of cancel culture, yes. Especially as a neurodiverse person I often don't articulate myself very well and am often misunderstood, so I'm very aware I could f**k it up unknowingly.

But is that going to stop me trying to be a force for change. No. Because I think if your intentions are good and you practice no harm (to yourself and others) then it's an opportunity for education.

I never judge the people who are advocates for change when they get it wrong, but I do question those who are silent across all platforms. I.e social media, life, work.

Where do you stand on this? Are you someone who wants to have discussions about social change but are too scared of getting it wrong?

Lemme know 👇

Quote from THE guilty feminist - Deborah Frances White.

International Women's Day Reflections.

Just a few of the injustices we are dealing with.

On this International Women's Day, I want to acknowledge the (what feels like tiny) progress we've made but also confront the stark reality: we're far from the equality we aspire to. In fact, it feels like we've taken some terrifying steps backward, and this is amplified for our sisters of color and LGBT folk. 💔

🌍 The Global Imbalance:
It's disheartening to witness the persistent global gender disparities. From unequal pay, ongoing conflicts, to limited representation, women are still fighting for a seat at the table and for their lives.

👩🏽‍💼 Double Bind for Women of Color:
Women of color face a unique set of challenges, battling both gender and racial inequalities. The intersectionality of these struggles cannot be ignored.

🗣️ Silencing Voices:
Our fight for equality often meets resistance (looking at the Tories here), and voices advocating for change are sometimes stifled. It's a reminder that our journey is far from over.

🚨 Alarming Setbacks:
Instead of progressing, it feels like we've witnessed setbacks. Policies threatening reproductive rights, racial injustice, and an alarming rise in gender-based violence – the road to equality remains rocky. Handmaid's Tale seems terrifyingly real.

💪🏾 Strength in Solidarity:
We can unite, uplift each other, and use our collective power to challenge systemic inequalities. Let's champion our "competitors" and support each other. There is enough success for everyone.

🌈 Hope and Resilience:
Despite the uphill battle, hope persists. Our resilience and determination will continue to break barriers, paving the way for a more just and equitable future.

✊🏿✊🏽✊🏻 Intersectional Feminism:
This International Women's Day, let's commit to intersectional feminism – recognising and addressing the interconnected nature of gender and racial injustices.

💖 Support and Amplify:
Support women, amplify their voices, and be an ally in the fight for equality. Our journey may be challenging, but together, we're stronger. 💪🏼💕

A HOW TO be less of a tw*t. Joke - it isn't all men 🧐.

But really, have a read of my guide to little things men can do to help gender equality.

When you read this I want you to read it with an intersectional perspective, so think of women of color and LGBT women and how inequality is amplified for them. Cheer on and champion women of colour and LGBT even louder. K?

Sadly I have about 1 male follower so I have a feeling you're gonna have to share this with your male friends.

🌙 C O M P T I M E 🌞

Wow it's been a long time since I've done a comp.

I've got a 9 month old and a 4 year old, I've been on mat leave for 9 months and I'm back and ready for business. But obviously the Instagram algorithm ain't my best friend (another reason our careers get screwed up as a mum) and I'm back doing round two of the mum Vs business Vs childcare hustle and I need to reach the mummas who are gonna be like "YES THAT SOUNDS LIKE HEAVEN" when they read the class description.

Link is in my bio for the class, but let's just call it a Mum and Baby Yoga + Energy Healing Circle with some baby sensory and singing thrown in to the mix. It's all about making a village and having some you time with your babe. It'll help with bonding, easing tension in the body and building a community. I'm even gonna bake for you. It's gonna be mint and you don't need any experience in anything wellnessy.

Anyway. The Comp.

Prize - up for grabs are two free tickets to my 4 week mum and baby yoga "Mindful Mummas" course above for two lucky mums, a charged rose quartz crystal to boost self compassion (pictured) and a cleansing smoke bundle.

Tickets are for both venues, one in Chapeltown and one in Headingley. Starting w/c 15th April.

Rules:
✨Follow
🔮SAVE this post
🤗 Share this post in your stories and tag me with the comment "Mum and Baby Yoga "
🌞 Comment below a baby mumma you think would love this class 👇

Winners will be drawn on Mother's Day, 10th March.

Image Description: photo of a baby on a grey towel surrounded by a singing bowl, crystals and a wind chime.

✨ Validate Your Own Experience ✨

I give you permission. Your therapist gives you permission.

When wait lists take years and our voices are ignored. Validate your own lived experience. Only *you* know your struggles. You do not need to justify or prove yourself to anyone, when all you need is your own permission.

In the words of ChatGPT "Embrace the power to affirm your own narrative, for within your story lies the inner strength to create a symphony that resonates with authenticity and resilience." You are enough.

❤️‍🔥 ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS DAY❤️‍🔥

I don't think we can talk about endo without talking about the gas-lighting, discrimination and mistreatment of women within medicine. From labour, to fertility, to chronic illness - our voices are ignored, the voices of women from marginalised groups even more so. The archetype of "the hysterical woman" jumps to mind. It's FU**ED up.

In my echo chamber, everyone has heard of endometriosis. Everyone. It seems wild to me that we still need awareness, because 15 years ago when I started my endo journey I'd never heard of it, even 11 years ago when I got diagnosed I hadn't heard of it.

It wasn't until I read about and her campaign to raise awareness that I'd even seen anything in the media about it. It was exhausting having to explain what it was to my colleagues and friends when I had to cancel work and plans. My career in particular took a slamming. So much pain and constantly battling with fatigue, which still today the medical profession deny is a symptom of endometriosis but anecdotally it's a huge part of the disease. For me the fatigue was the biggest thing, I'd try and explain to friends and family that I was exhausted and they wouldn't get it. I was constantly pushed away by drs, the classic "it's just periods", "it's constipation". Blood tests would come back fine and the trail would run dry, "everything is normal". I managed to get referrals for a colposcopy and ultrasound, but of course endo doesn't show up. And still no one mentioned this disease to me that apparently 1 in 10 women have.

It wasn't until I was struggling with chronic recurrent urine infections (which was f**king awful) which the GPs told me were psychological, may have well just labelled me hysterical, that I decided to tap into my (very new) BUPA cover through work. I got hooked up with a urogynaecologist, who sat down with a pen and paper, I talked and he actually *listened* my first and only time a medical professional has properly listened to me (love the NHS but omg). He made notes. And said these words "from what you've told me it sounds like endometriosis, but we won't know for sure until...cont in comments

The alternative health answer to baby groups. YES please!

Can someone else please run this so I can come along? I am really hoping I can offer what is everything I have always wanted from a baby group.

I have been sitting on this offering for about three years waiting for the right time and it seems like this is it. So here we go, officially back from maternity leave take 2 and I am launching my parent + baby group, in a v The Pink School way.

A mix of gentle movement, breathwork, check-ins and group energy healing - with a big focus on building a village.

This q***r-inclusive group is accessible to parents who can sit on a chair, or move slowly on the floor. This class is all about fostering a supportive community and promoting overall well-being for parents of babies from 6 weeks to near crawling. As such, the booking is in four week blocks to build familiar face consistency. It's the same price for twins. The price is for a four week block, 4 x 90 minute sessions.

What to bring: a blanket, warm socks

Class Structure:
- Welcome
- Breathwork, sing + sign
- Movement + gentle yoga
- Break + cake
- Check ins
- Sensory Savasana (chill time) + energy healing

ACCESSIBILITY: I have tonnes of accessibility information on the website, just follow the link in my profile. Theres two venues to choose from, one is more neurodivergent friendly than the other, at the moment I am limiting it to two sessions a week and I will bringingbe along my little squidge too.

EXPECTATIONS: You can expect to feel loved, valued, safe, peaceful and among friends - with the added bonus of the group energy healing to help shift *stuff*. You need ABSOLUTELY no experience in any wellness based practice, you don't need to look any certain way or wear any fancy pants. Just come as you are, with your babies - and let's make some memories together.

***rparents ***rleeds

B O O K I N G O P E N

We have availability as early as next week for Energy Healing with and massage with

Click the Link in bio 💖

L A S T D A Y T O D A Y

Come say goodbye!

Open 12 - 4! Come down and see us for our very last day in the and snap up our 30% off sale, loads of great stuff left!

Xoxo

We have a new support group starting the second sunday of the month from Feb, you may find the rest of this post triggering in relation to baby + child loss.

Are you parenting after loss? Feeling like you need to offload and talk to others?

We are holding space for you once a month through winter/spring to meet other people like you. Come alone or with your partner, at any stage of your grieving journey - and find some relief.

Parenting after loss can throw up a lot of mixed emotions as not only are you trying to take care of all the parenting needs for your living child – you are making sure your child who died is still remembered and honored, all while tending to your grief. This group aims to act as a way to connect with others who understand some of what you're going through and provide support in some way. We welcome parents who have lost babies and children, at any stage of their life.

This group is hosted by Jess, a friend of The Pink Room who experienced her own devastating loss in 2022. There will be cake and tea.

This is a free group hosted by The Pink Room as part of our aim to offer support to people whose experiences mean they struggle to find a place to feel heard in society, this is not a guided support group with a paid fascilitator simply a space for a group of people to get together to share thier experience and create new bonds.

We hope you find it really valuable.

Spaces are limited so please ensure you can make most of the sessions before you book, booking is per couple - please just add in the notes who will be joining you or if you are coming alone.

Book via the website - link in bio.

Here are just a few bits you can find in the shop on Saturday and snap up with 20% off - only if you show lovely Sophie this post or quote I AM A QUEEN.

Our first and last shop day, at least for 2023!

This Saturday (7th) come join us for our last ever day of The Pink Room Shop before we transform ourselves into a dedicated studio + therapy space.

There will be 20% off almost everything ONLY when you show us this post or quote I AM A QUEEN. Offer excludes vi*****rs.

Don't forget for the whole of january you can get 20% off at our online shop when you subscribe to our newsletter - link in bio. So hoard your gifts early or snap up a well deserved treat.

Hopefully we will shift a load of the old stock so we can then curate a specialised shop for women and q***r folk online - watch this space.

Here is what we have week commencing 2nd Jan 2023:

Holistic Therapies + Reflexology:

Wednesday - Full
Thursday - 11:30, 12:30, 4pm (Ella)
Friday - 10am, 12:30pm, 2pm (Jess)
Saturday - closed for therapies for our final ever day of TPR shop, mega 20% off everything.

Next available weekend appointments:
Saturday 14th - 9am & 12:30 (Ella) 4pm (Jess)
Sunday 15th - 10am, 11:30 and 3pm (Jo)

Head to link in bio to book and DM with any questions.