About Kasia

I’m a facilitator connecting the dots between Buddhism, Qigong and Creative Process. I enjoy working with modalities that provide an opportunity for direct experience.

I’m currently working on a Masters in Buddhist Studies with the University of South Wales and my research explores whether Zen can really be expressed through (Zen) Arts. 

I worked as a freelance photographer for the 10 years and occasionally I still take commissions. If you’re interested in working together please get in touch about rates. You can see my portfolio here.

I’m also co-founder of The Floating Space. A platform that facilitates thoughtful and thematic group sessions for creatives made with intention to share and support each other's practice.

I live in south Cornwall with my husband Charlie & our dog Kiki. I’m also an Ordained Lay Sōtō Zen student with the Ordinary Mind UK Zendo.

I use pronouns they/them

  • 2022 - 2025 - MA in Buddhist Studies

    2022 - Yearlong Qigong mentorship programme with Mimi Kuo-Deemer

    2021 - extended study programme Depth and Embodiment: An Integral Path with Christina Feldman, Chris Cullen, Christoph Köck and Yuka Nakamura

    2018 - Yin Yoga intensive with Norman Blair - 30 hours

  • 2024 - October - Received Jukai Precepts during a sesshin with Ordinary Mind teacher Malcolm Martin

    2023 - Currently studying Zen precepts with the Ordinary Mind teacher Malcolm Martin

    2023 - 3 day sesshin with the Ordinary Mind

    2022 - Body, Speech, Mind – bringing Zen practice to life - 5 days silent meditation retreat in Gaia House

    2021 - Dependant Origination - 7 days online silent meditation retreat

PHILOSOPHY + PRACTICE

ZEN BUDDHISM

I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for 10 years. In 2022 I started an MA in Buddhist Studies exploring if Zen can really be expressed through Arts. In October 2024, I received Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts. Jukai is a formal declaration of wishing to live life in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha.

QIGONG + TAIJI

Qigong is a Chinese healing art that incorporates intentional movement, meditation, breathwork and visualisations. In Qigong and TCM, Five Elements outline the relationship between the different elements in nature and the life force, Qi. Each phase corresponds with a season, direction, internal organ, body tissue, emotion, sound.

Although I’ve became a Taiji student this yea, the practice had a prfound effect on me. I’m deeply inspired by the precision and attention to detail the practice requires.

CREATIVE PROCESS

I worked as a commercial photographer for 10 years. After moving to Cornwall, I decided to focus all my attention on the Buddhist Studies and teaching Meditation + Qigong. To my own surprise, I discovered how well these practices translate to the creative process. I’ve realised this has been the missing link.

Since 2021 I’ve been mentoring creatives in a 1:1 settting.

GONGFU TEA

I’m a big gongfu Tea enthusiast (ch. gōngfū chá). Gongfu Tea relates to a traditional Chinese tea preparation method. Compared to Western-style brewing, the method uses smaller vessels and a higher leaf-to-water ratio. The phrase from Mandarin translates to "making tea with skill".

INCLUSIVITY + TRAUMA INFORMED

As a facilitator I foster a space where inclusivity, compassion and playfulness are cultivated. I encourage students to explore their inner landscapes by deepening the awareness to their body and the heart/mind. I believe that each of us knows what is the most nourishing, we just need to remind ourselves how to listen more deeply.

As someone who was diagnosed with PTSD, I pay a great importance to making sure that the workshops and classes I offer and offer: safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment and choice, and humility.

Extending gratitude to my teachers

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to learn from wonderful teachers who continue to inspire my practice. A deep bow to you.

Mimi Kuo Deemer

Mimi is an author and teacher of meditation, qigong, and internal martial arts (6th generation lineage holder in Baguazhang). I started practicing in with Mimi in 2021 as a way to support my PTSD flare ups. In 2022 I did a yearlong mentorship with Mimi. Her knowledge, light heartedness and a healthy dose of goofiness inspired me to start sharing Qigong with others. I’m deeply grateful for the Mimi’s warmth, encouragement and kindness that have supported me all these years.

Malcolm Martin

Malcolm is the sixth Dharma heir of Barry Magid, who founded the Ordinary Mind Zendo in New York in 1996. He is also ordained lay member of the Order of Interbeing founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, and has been leading Buddhist groups in UK prisons for the last ten years. I feel grateful to be touched by his deep care for the world and his generosity of the heart. He has been a huge support for me throughout my journey with Zen; always happy untangle even the most complicated questions I tend to bring to the table.

Master Huang Ping

A former Chinese National Champion and member of the China National Wushu team, who dedicated her life to Taiji and Bagua. Learning Yang Taiji forms from Master Ping is a highlight of my week.  I’ve practiced many movement schools over the years (Scaravelli, Hanna Somatics, Hatha and Iyengar Yoga) but I’ve never met a teacher who explains movement in such a creative, relatable and inspiring way. I’ve only been practicing with Master Huan Ping for a little while but during this time she helped me understand the way energy can be expressed through movement, something I thought about in the past but could never quite grasp it. I feel honoured to learn from Master Huang Ping, thank you for expanding my world.