"I was never into all this stuff, spirituality, healing, self-development, not really, not in my former life as I now call it. I had always had a healthy interest in spirituality, religion, philosophy etc. My mother is a midwife, aromatherapist and healer. So I grew up with this influence in my life, particularly in latter years. I myself graduated in combined honours with Computing and Business Studies. I had always wanted to travel and so I took a post-grad in teaching English as a foreign language. I was then able to combine my business skills and training skills in English Schools.
I lived and worked in Thailand for 2 years and studied Buddhism and Buddhist meditation and also learnt massage here. Massage is such a common and accepted form of therapy there contrary to the Thai massage parlours we are probably more familiar with. I spent a year in India and Nepal learning different ideologies and philosophies. I have also lived and worked in Indonesia and Turkey. I had a wide practical understanding of a number of people of many faiths and have seen and experienced many cultures; I also worked on a refugee camp in Thailand. I myself was brought up in the Salvation Army. It was a very strict order with no smoking, drinking etc but my mother believed it was important to have an understanding of religion. I was sent to the Salvation Army because my mother is protestant and my father is Roman Catholic. From a young age to me these were just different ways of worshipping the same God.
In 1996 I was working in Hong Kong in management training for the Institute of Management and the British Council. ' I thought I was the bees knees' ! I was 28 on a great salary managing a team of 10 people. I thought I had made it to the beginnings of the aspiration of my career. Then, something happened to me: I was so ill I had to return to my family home and be cared for. I was so ill I could not get out of bed, understand a conversation or remember words. It was a very dark moment in my life. I had lost everything: my job, my apartment and my independence. But in this space I totally believed I was going to get better and I did. I had been diagnosed with ME.
As the years went by I slowly retrained. I first came to Zakynthos in 1998 on holiday. I received a vision to create a place where people could come and relax and take time out. At this point I was going to do this with my then partner Andreas, however, after 2 happy years together because of our cultural differences we decided to part but still remain good friends today. I continued to visit Zakynthos and now live on the South part of the island, which is my preferred area, and supported by all the guidebooks as saying it is the most beautiful and unspoilt! The rest is history! I run organised retreats with my skills and help people to transform their own lives. The uniqueness of my programme is the experience that I have had and the sensitivity that has happened since I was ill.
My whole belief systems have changed. I had some very strange things happen to me while I was ill. I received channellings, which are my guided meditations. I saw spirits and Angels and I am now in touch with them and they help me in my healing work. I hope my story is an inspiration to others. During my work as holidays or with individuals I do my best. My grandmother always said that is all any of us can do."
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Frances has been aware of her healing gift since she was a child. When she used to touch people they would feel better. Being in a family of holistic health practitioners she has been surrounded with this energy.
She trained with the Sivananda school of yoga and with R Jordan (in Vanda Scarevelli style). She is trained as a Reiki healer with FacetSoul Foundation in 1998 and 2001 and is a Reiki Master. For those wanting Reiki attunements you can do them while on retreat. Frances also gives distant Reiki healing. She trained in Thai massage in 1992 and trained and qualified in Swedish massage in 2000.
Frances has been visiting the Greek island of Zakynthos (Zante) since 1998. Inspired by the mystery and magic of the energy surrounding the island with it's revered patron saint, St Dionysios and the awe of the island's natural beauty. She chose to share her skills and the charm of Greek life and traditions by creating Gaia Visions Retreat.
Frances has had several articles published, has appeared on national television and given talks at the Mind Body Spirit Festival. She has connections with Leora Lightwoman of Diamond Light Tantra, Andy Smith of Transformation Training and Marianne Webb de Sisto of FacetSoul Foundation.
We offer yoga, meditation, massage, healing, Reiki training and life-coaching. Our activities are perfect for stress management, alternative healing and spiritual growth.
