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INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER
OF NAMASTÉ INSTITUTE FOR HOLISTIC STUDIES,
SHEENA GILLESPIE
 By Anne-Marie Collins
Collins: What was the impetus for your exploration of holistic medicine?
Gillespie: Hmmm... the answer to that will take some time, feel free to interrupt with questions. Let's see... where to begin? I suppose I should begin with my experience with physical illness. Eleven years ago I was driving home one evening from work and all of a sudden the tissue and muscles in my body from my neck, inside of my throat, down my arms, back, chest, and abdomen froze. By froze, I mean I could still feel everything but could barely move, swallow or breathe. It was as though I was paralyzed from any muscular movement. Driving a standard at the time, I actually took the time to contemplate, as I continued to miraculously drive, whether I should go to the hospital. As the turn came up for the hospital I didn't take it... I think that I was in a state of cognitive shock. That evening I couldn't eat or swallow even water and fell asleep exhausted and scared.
The following morning when I woke up my body was fine as though the day prior was only an illusion. Two weeks passed, and then again suddenly my body collapsed. This time I wasn't paralyzed from movement but now my muscles suddenly became so fatigued I could barely move. Over the following weeks my muscles began to harden and stiffen in my entire upper body and extremities, and I could hardly get out of bed on my own. I had medical test after test and nothing showed up abnormal, so my only hope was physical therapy. Over the next few years I would receive physical therapy... stop going... return to square one... receive PT again... stop going... and back to square one again, and again.... This continued for some time, and then I simply just gave up until suddenly, my illness seemed to go into remission!
Collins: Did your body finally heal?
Gillespie: Well, I thought that it did. I was so excited envisioning possibilities of living the life I had given up where I could enjoy doing things and not regret them for next five days lying in bed. Ecstatic, I took up the violin wanting to return to the music I had given up so long ago, and again my body took a turn for the worse. This time I couldn't get out of bed without help and could barely even shower safely. Every time I put my arms over my head to wash my hair I would pass out. Everything became something I would regret doing. I would go for a boat ride and the next day I had to roll my self out of bed with the only muscles in my body that actually worked which were my legs... I never thought of it then, but at least I could still walk.
Collins: So what did you do?
Gillespie: Well, it really wasn't what I did. My life began to become synchronistic at that point. The violin teacher that I was working with explained to me that she had Fibromyalgia and that my unexplained symptoms seemed to resemble this disease, although now from the research I have conducted I still do not know what happened. However her idea was a catalyst for me to begin my research and search for healing. At the time I was living on an island as a caretaker with my husband and one of my co-workers mentioned that she knew someone that had Fibromyalgia and that she was seeing a chiropractor for her treatment. She highly recommended my calling her to make an appointment.
I was very skeptical about having anyone do anything with my spinal cord and bones at that point, but didn't feel as though I had anything more to lose. So I took the leap; I surrendered and ended up in the care of an amazing Dharma teacher and healer, thus, beginning my healing path with holistic medicine.
Collins: So, How is your health today, and could you explain what a Dharma Teacher is?
Gillespie: My health, amazing. Absolutely, amazing. I consider not only my physical body completely healed, but also my spirit. I truly do not believe it is possible to feel whole physically unless you have healed your spirit.
As for explaining what a Dharma teacher is; well, he or she is a guide, in a sense—someone who teaches you about life, illusions, and the realities that we construct about life. They teach us how to honor ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And most importantly, they are amazing teachers who are able to hold a space, empty of judgment, which allows us to connect more deeply with the true nature of our souls, and the inner beauties of humility, wisdom, and wholeness.
[Long pause]
Collins: Thank you for sharing such a personal experience. You have a huge task to manage in creating and operating a school while also furthering your own education. Where does the creative energy come from, and what do you think is the foundation that has prepared you for your path of being a healer, teacher, student of psychology, and founder of a school all at the same time?
Gillespie: I have always had this inner drive to learn, create, and teach. I love to master things just for the challenge of it, and I have always envisioned things and transformed them into reality. Some things I create because I want something, like luxury, while other things I create without any expectations. I simply create it because something inside me says create, create, create! I love to learn and teach and have always been both a student and a teacher. Even in my childhood I was curious about the inner depths of life, how things worked and how things came to be, whether they be about the creation of the soul or about the creation of a toaster. From an early age I questioned my parents about their beliefs and why they believed what they did. I was always encouraged to speak my thoughts and my philosophy. I feel very fortunate to have had a childhood where my opinions and creations could be expressed. That's not to say that my childhood was perfect, but even negative experiences have their own perfection in the end, once we realize what we gained from them and how they have shaped our being. So, I would say that my childhood is the foundation that has prepared me for the roles I play as a teacher and healer as well as the other important roles I play as wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, & friend. We all are souls with many roles!
Collins: What is your greatest challenge in life and in teaching?
Gillespie: I'd say that one of my greatest challenges in life is remembering who I really am. It is sometimes easier to get wrapped up in defensiveness and stubbornness than to remember how beautiful we really are, even with our faults. Fortunately, the majority of my relationships are conscious relationships. My husband and I are always mirroring our weaknesses and strengths within our relationship so we can become more conscious and aware of how we affect each other. Relationships are about growth and reconditioning the patterns that do not serve our highest good and our health, both mentally and physically. This is a great challenge in life for us all, and so it should be if you strive for true happiness.
My greatest challenge in teaching is my age. It is quite humorous when new students and clients come to the studio and walk in with suspicion on their faces. I can tell they are thinking to themselves, "Hmmm... she looks too young to be talking about the things she does." As time passes we laugh together about how we judge people so easily. It makes a great conversation piece when it comes to life experience and how in the world we all are where we all are!
Collins: What would be one reason that a student would want to attend your school among all of the choices out there? What distinguishes your programs from others?
Gillespie: The one reason would be, "If you are ready to heal yourself in all aspects of BodyMind and Soul, then you are ready to attend this school. Successful completion of our programs will allow you to pass the healing on to others in need."
Collins: What is your vision of the future regarding Namasté Institute?
Gillespie: This school will be the foundation for a much larger endeavor. I envision a contemplative retreat center where people from all over the world can share their creativity, embrace a holistic lifestyle, learn about their relationship and connections to all of life. That is what I see down the line. And as the saying goes, "If you envision it, it has already become a reality!" Namasté.
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