Meet Charlotte Burbidge
Tai Chi...
In September 2000 I stepped through the door of my first Tai Chi class and I began learning and playing the forms with Alan Smith (formerly of Rising Dragon Tai Chi School; latterly Heartlands Tai Chi). I committed to playing Tai Chi, firstly as a journey for myself and latterly training as a Tai Chi Teacher to be able to offer to others, the gift I had been given.
Alan placed an emphasis on meditative movement and kindness in his teaching and it began radically transforming my experience of life. Over the years of study and play with him, I learnt that it was OK to take time to breathe, be still and be present. The fear and anxiety often driving me forwards, began to ease and fall away. My life and became joyful and often ecstatic. I became embodied and grounded and at ease with my physical form.
I trained to become a Tai Chi teacher and began teaching individuals and leading retreats in 2009. I founded Dragons Heart Breath Tai Chi in 2021 and currently offer 1-2-1 Tai Chi packages for individuals; Tai Chi Together for small groups (3-8 people) as well as my favourite offering - Tai Chi for Two
Meditation
6 years after starting Tai Chi as a meditative movement practice, I finally felt ready to try sitting meditation. I had concerns that I wouldn’t be able to physically sit still for longer than a couple of minutes without feeling anxious and wanting to run out of the room. But, with time, patience and practice, I soon loved it. Meditation continues to be a profound and subtle practice of being in the present moment, relaxation and surrender. I find that mindfulness of the breathing body and the Metta Bhavana (friendliness or loving-kindness practice) are deeply transformative and positive. I have been teaching meditation in schools, on meditation retreats and in Buddhist Centres since 2009 and I love sharing this skill with others so that transformation becomes possible in their lives
The Nia Technique ™
In January 2019, I discovered the Nia Technique ™. Nia is a holistic movement & wellness practice incorporating dance, martial arts and healing arts which emphasise somatic movement for the mind, body, and soul and is often great fun. During the lockdown years (2020 - 2021) - I trained online with Nia, and qualified to teach, with my White, Blue and Green Belts. Some of the aspects of the Nia Health and Wellness programme can be incorporated into the bespoke Movement for Health and Wellbeing sessions I offer.
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST)
Craniosacral Therapy has been such a vital part of my own therapeutic journey. By taking the focus away from what is "wrong", and bringing knowledge of the inherent health and aliveness of the body, healing happens from within. My own deep healing led me to begin training in April 2022 with Paul Vick, Nina Molyneux and support from Meryl Grant at Resonance in Stroud. I qualified from this foundation training after two years of intensive weekend sessions and many practice clients, to whom I am extremely grateful. My Craniosacral work continues to deepen, develop and flow with the clients I receive into practice.
My Qualifications:
Craniosacral Therapy Qualifications and Accreditation
- 2 Year Diploma in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
- Registered Craniosacral Therapist (RCST) - full member of the Craniosacral Therapy Association (CSTA)
Tai Chi and Meditation Accreditation
- Advanced Tai Chi teacher registered with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain (TCUGB)
- Sikkha training retreats for meditation teachers
- Over 16 years experience of retreat leading at Taraloka retreat centre
- Over 24 years of practice of Tai Chi and sitting meditation
- Ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order 2014
- White Belt - The Art of Sensation
- Green Belt - The Art of Teaching
- Blue Belt - The Art of Communication
Sound Healing Accreditation
- Sound Healing and Sound Therapy Accredited Practitioner
Other Professional Qualifications and Regulation
- BA (Hons) Psychology
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Educational Psychology specialism
- Masters (MA) in Education
- Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties
- Fully Insured with Balens Specialist Insurance (Malvern)
- Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for data protection
More About My Journey:
Early Years...
From my first steps into primary school aged 4, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I loved school and I loved learning.
With that in mind, I studied Psychology at Swansea University and then a PGCE at Leicester University. In 1997 I finally completed and started in my first teaching job in Bromsgrove... It wasn’t quite as I’d hoped. Very stressful; very difficult and I think I aged 5 years in the first year. I often cried on the way to work and again on the way home. My wish to help facilitate learning was knocked sideways and at times I felt like giving up completely.
I moved into Further Education at Worcester Sixth Form College and loved it. I specialised in working with students with Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD); completed an MA in Education at Worcester University and a Diploma in SpLD. My dissertation was on the effect of Dyslexia on self-esteem and became a part of my journey to find alternative ways to help others.
Journey to finding a way to live a meaningful life....
As a baby, I was relinquished at birth and adopted soon after. The wounding and trauma experienced within the womb, during and post-birth has led me on a voyage of discovery and healing throughout my adult life. In my teens and early twenties, I suffered from deeply driven anxiety and fear with bouts of depression and disconnection. Although I didn't realise this at the time, I often dissociated from my body and only stopped working/exercising/socialising/doing when the physical or emotional pain became so great I could no longer ignore it.
I danced; I cycled; I sang anyway…
Life Changes...
In 2009 I moved out of my home in Worcester and left my job as a teacher at Worcester Sixth Form College. The women’s community at Taraloka Retreat Centre, a hidden jewel within the Meres and Mosses landscape, became my new home and livelihood.
Alongside my work on Front Desk and subsequently managing the kitchen, I started leading Tai Chi retreats. In 2015 I joined the retreat team and leading meditation retreats became the focus of my life. I bring an embodied and playful aspect to meditation; using the work of Reggie Ray, my dear friend Dhammagita, and my own Tai Chi, dance and movement practice, to help others regain a sense of the body as a resource and source of joy.
My twelve years there were transformative and healing. In that time, I began receiving Cranial-Osteopathy treatments. I found them incredibly supportive during times of emotional dysregulation and/or physical pain. They also supported times of trauma release that were a necessary part of my journey and life. I trained for Ordination as a Buddhist with the Triratna Buddhist Order and was Ordained in 2014. Some of you may know me as Hridayagita; the name I was given at that time. Gita means "song" and Hridaya means "heart or essence of the Dharma" so my name in full means "Song of the Heart".
Full Circle...
Since 2022 I’ve been back in Worcester with my partner Matt. We’ve been making a home and forming our mini-clinic Heartlands Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy Worcester, and Dragons Heart Breath Tai Chi together. He trained as an Integrative Counsellor with Re-vision and I qualified as a Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist. I regularly go on retreat to recharge and deepen my practice; continue in my journey of embodiment and Somatic Movement and use the tools and training that I’ve gathered over my life.
Autumn 2024, together with Sarah Cotterill, I formed Woo Town Cacao Club. Our vision is to create a unique series of wellness events that blend ceremonial cacao, movement, and music to deepen connection—to ourselves, each other, and the rhythms of nature. Moving forward, we hope to host seasonal gatherings where participants can experience the benefits of cacao, Tai Chi flow, dance, and sound healing in a nurturing, sober environment. Our goal is to foster a vibrant community focused on holistic health, joy, and authentic connection.
I also love to walk my pup Lily in the green spaces around the city and beside the river and canal; surrounded by trees and sky and alongside the beautiful watery arteries of Worcester.
