Path

"Movement has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the world of competitive dance from the age of four, not so much for the drive to perform or win, but for the creativity and how it made me feel. I spent school lunch breaks stretching and dancing by the volleyball court, or somehow convincing a teacher to trust me with the school hall key. I would close all the curtains, crank the sound system and move in my own world.

As a teenager, I struggled with relationships and mental wellbeing. Movement, art and music became my anchors and the light that helped me navigate those darker times. I was lucky to have teachers who could see and honour those creative outlets for me.

In my late teens, a craniosacral therapy session opened a new doorway, introducing me to energy work and meditation. I began taking private meditation lessons, then joined a beginner yoga course, slowly building a daily practice of mindful movement and stillness that transformed how I felt in my body and in my life.

By the age of 20, I felt the quiet but steady pull to train in yoga and share it with others. Aerial yoga, in particular, sparked something within me, and I began dreaming of opening a studio of my own one day. Around that time, I immersed myself in the Taranaki wellness community, attending women’s circles where I was first introduced to cacao and oracle cards. These experiences moved me deeply. They were safe spaces where emotion was welcomed, and nothing needed fixing, just feeling.

From there, my path began unfolding quickly. I started working with a coach and breathwork facilitator. After attending her women’s retreat, I began 1:1 mentoring and eventually stepped into the role of assistant on her next coastal immersion.

I moved to Auckland during the pandemic and studied online while living beachside in Huia. Amidst daily ocean dips and forest walks, I immersed myself in Hatha, Aerial, and Ashtanga Yoga. I also dove deep into a Tarot course, nestled on farmland in the Waitakere ranges. These teachings became the foundation for my first studio, ASCEND Aerial Yoga. ASCENS was a ritualistic, cozy sanctuary offering yogic aerial classes and floating ceremonies. I poured my heart into ASCEND for two beautiful years.

During that time, the passing of my grandfather marked the beginning of my Reiki journey. After he passed, I suddenly felt a deep connection to him and the spirit world. A young version of his spirit activated blue energy in my fingertips and my clairvoyant abilities drastically increased. I started seeing energy around people, and being pulled to explore healing work. So, I completed Level 1, 2, and 3a in Reiki, and had symbolic ceremonial tattoos placed on my hands. These markings further activate my connection to my grandfather and the healing energy he activated within me.

When I felt ready to transition, I closed ASCEND Aerial Yoga and moved my offerings to Kenkō Studios, where I focused more on grounded, meditative, healing classes and ceremonial experiences.

Soon after, The Healing Room was born, co-created with Jess Pearson, after an intuitive journaling session where we realised we were walking parallel paths. Together, we dreamed up a space that offers holistic healing from an energetically sustainable place. Jess and I are also working towards our Reiki 3b qualification, opening a new door of teaching the art of Reiki healing to others.

Most recently, I have continued to grow my community, offering classes and events at Redroom, Sala, SOMM and Kula!"

– Iris Bellve