I’m honoured to introduce you all to Diahann, who is a FEMpowerment Mentor, healer and Founder of Urban Avatars and WMN.KND. Di holds transformational spaces for women to step boldly into their magnetic power through the intuitive wisdom of their bodies.

I’ve known Di through the London yoga scene for many years and I have always been struck by her big hearted compassion, fierce nature and love for the world. She has a magnetic quality, there aren’t so many people whom you never hear a bad word said against, but Di is one of them, people genuinely love her and pour out their affection whenever she is mentioned. I wanted to understand more about this woman who effortlessly inspires so many to be their best. We talked about the challenges of motherhood, the female cycle, music, super powers and more!

You offer a really eclectic mix of spiritual art forms at Urban Avatars, including but not limited to Yoni Yoga, Shamanism, Plant Medicines and Western Psychology. Out of all of these disciplines which do you find supports you most? 

For me it changes all the time. Each one is a different medicine. Generally they all bring me home to myself. But sometimes I choose to plug into one particular channel. Where I’m at right now I’d say Yoni yoga (Yoga for the female body) and actually the weight training I’m doing under your amazing wing!

I love that you work with women’s hormonal health, it’s a subject close to my heart, can you name some of the best practices you advise women to take on?

My number one, all time piece of advice? Get to know and love your precious cycle. We each journey through (at least) four biological, and emotional-energetic phases each month (even those women who don’t menstruate). Which means we’re at least 4 different women over the lunar cycle!!  And once upon a time, when women and their bodies were celebrated as “sacred”, these phases were believed to contain “gifts” in the form of insights and empowering ways to express who we were as women and individuals. The premenstrual phase, for example, was honoured as our most intuitive, creative (and least tolerant!) phase and we’d most likely make space for that expression. These days women are encouraged to treat the natural processes of their bodies with disdain. Our menstrual cycle has become a “nuisance” - something to be ashamed of, to mock and hide. Inevitably this means we’re suppressing the most potent part of who we are as women and in my opinion, closing ourselves off to the deep inner wisdom and magic that our bodies hold. 
So my suggestion is to track your cycle each month and know when you’re journeying through each phase. Research the different archetypes of the feminine and embrace the fact that you miraculously embody various expressions of the feminine over the month (inc. but not limited to the Maiden, the Mother, the Wild Enchantress and the Wise Queen) I really believe that our cycles are a roadmap to creating the life of our dreams. We just need to know how to use them.

As you’ve evolved in your perspective what beliefs did you hold previously that you find are no longer relevant? 

That there’s a “right way” of doing anything. There might be shorter and longer roads but each path is ultimately leading us home. So though things still frustrate me, I try not to judge people for the choices they make. 

How do you cope with the pressures of motherhood, running a business and having a healthy relationship? 

Ohhhhh so much say about this, but I’ll keep it briefish! It’s a challenge. Mothers/Women are expected to be EVERYTHING these days and we’re judged no matter what choices we make. I feel very blessed to be/have all of those things AND the truth is that you cannot possibly give 100% to each at the same time, which is what we’re expected to do. It’s a myth. The whole “you can have it all” propaganda is misleading and dangerous in my opinion. You can, but not all at the same time and not each with the same quality of attention. There’s always a sacrifice, a pay off. And that’s just the nature of life.  For me, accepting and embracing that has been the most liberating act. And enlisting help!! From my family, with childcare. Right now, my priority is my daughter and my relationship. They get the most attention. 1-1 time with my projects/business comes in second place but it’s an important part of who and am and what I feel I’m here to do. Sometimes I sacrifice time with the family (or should I say “gift” them with time away from me) to nurture my creativity.

Name one difficult challenge you’ve faced and what you did to over come it. 

The biggest challenge this lifetime was coming down with an auto-immune condition as a 19/20yr old. What I didn’t realise at the time was that it would become one of the greatest gifts from life I’d received as it forced me to get to “know” myself on so many levels. It took me around the world and really catalysed the “awakenings” that have led me to where I am now. Self-Love was the medicine.

If you could have 3 wishes come true what would they be?

Right now? That we all “remember” we’re miracles of love and live like we are. (Hopefully cue a better, more loving world). That I miraculously learn how to become super organised and efficient with my time.And the classic, to fly with just my body in the 3D.

Do you have a favourite piece of music at the moment? 

Not one. Any music that I really feel the presence of the mutha-funkin Force, y’know what I mean?!! But I love Hip Hop. Kanye’s “On God” album is doing it for me right now.

What art forms do you resonate with most? 

Any art form that I feel people in that aforementioned Force! For me it’s dance. That’s where I feel closest to Spirit and my free, untethered wild, sassy self!

If you could have one super power what would it be? 

You mean more than the ones I’ve got already?! Ok then.. that EVERY time I rip open my shirt and bare my breasts people remember that they are God/Source/___fill in the blank. And all their superpowers are activated.

If you were born again would you do any of it differently?

Nope.
I’ve made mistakes and had shitty stuff happen. But those experiences have been the foundation for where I am today which I’m happy with. And who knows where I’d be otherwise. (Probably on the same boat sailing towards my mutha-funkin destiny!!)

Di’s soul service is in the resurrection & activation of the Fierce, Free, Feminine. She has guided and supported hundreds of women to heal, rise into their truth and radiate from the inside out. Diahann has worked with an array of beautiful souls across the world and currently holds space in London, UK.

I am guesting as the mindful movement fitness specialist on Di’s Freedom and Empowerment Retreat in Greece May 2020 and would just love to see you there! It all takes place on the magical island of Ithaca and I am so excited to be part of this offering.

Find Di on Instagram @diahannloveholder website: Urban Avatars