I speak at universities, conferences and corporate organisations about personal development, lifestyle and wellbeing. Topics include: • Embrace your differences to stand out in the world • Arts, culture and me I have partnered with Nottingham Trent University, The University of West London, University of Bolton and British Islam conference. For more information pls email me using the address below.

The Design Your Life programme is a series of Personal Development and Wellbeing sessions which enable you to find clarity and direction in your life, develop self-awareness in order to become conscious of your behaviours, emotions and limiting beliefs and, manage your wellbeing in order to create a calm and peaceful inner and outer life. I offer four sessions that can be booked individually or as a complete programme. These are called: • Restore and Replenish Wellbeing Session • Visualisation, Intention and action • Self-Discovery • Overcoming your limiting belief's For more information, please email me at the address below.

This is for you if: • You feel stagnant in your current life situation and know that with the right support you could move forward. • You're ready to face and work through your limiting beliefs in order to make progress in your life. • You would like to discover who you truly are and what matters most to you. • You want to recognise your uniqueness and place in the world. • You want to create a clear vision for your future. • You'd like to set tangible goals and learn how to achieve them. • You'd like to recognise your true worth and beauty. • You want to stop existing and start living. Together we will: • Implement new lifestyle choices that will serve you going forward. • Reprogram your mind and change thinking patterns. • Help you get your mojo back and shine in the world just like you are supposed to. • Equip you with the knowledge and tools so that you can live an authentic life. Package includes: • Eight one-hour coaching sessions every two weeks. • 1:1 support using coaching and NLP models. • A weekly progress update and support going forward. • Notes from the session if relevant. • Audio recording of the session (optional) • Worksheets to implement learning and forward planning. To find out more about this programme, please contact me directly using the email address below or via the contact form.

As a child growing up in a Pakistani family, there was always Sufi music playing in our house. Sufi music, if you don't know is music devoted to the divine. In South Asia, we call it qawwali. I liked it but I didn’t ‘get it’. I had no idea then, that three decades later, this music would make complete sense to me. Although, it would take suffering to understand God, in the way the Sufi’s were referring to. That I would have to confront the darkest corners of my soul to fully appreciate what matters most in this life rather than the shallow egoic desires and insecurities that I was unconsciously functioning from. So what is Sufism? “Sufism is a religion of intense devotion; love is its manifestation, poetry, music and dance are the instruments of its worship and attaining oneness with the divine is its ideal”. Sufism known as ‘tasawwuf’ in the Muslim world originated during the 7th century. It is the inward dimension of Islam, away from worldly egoic desires. At its core lies divine love. Sufis believe that there is one God and we are not separate from it. ‘A true Sufi lives a life of presence and selfless love and makes no claims to virtue or truth’. Sufism was first practised in the ‘Hejaz’; west of Saudi Arabia which includes Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Tabuk, Yanbu, Taif and Baljurashi. It later spread throughout the Muslim world from the Balkans, Africa, South Asia to Indonesia. Beginning as a practise which was shared in small circles, and later developed into written literature. The first female Sufi, Rabiah al-Adawiyah born in 8th century, Iraq, taught the concept of selfless love. That an individual should worship God out of love rather than the fear of hell or the promise of paradise. Between the 8th and 13th Century, Sufism experienced it’s golden age and the Islamic Empire became an economic global leader in the sciences, medicine, philosophy, and the Arts. Just some of the most notable scholars, mystics and poets to have emerged during this period were Ibn Al’Arabi from Spain, Ibn al-Farid from Egypt, Farid al-Din Attar from Persia, Najmuddin Kubra in Turkmenistan, Yunis Emre in Turkey and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) from Uzbekistan. The Islamic empire welcomed diversity and different religious and ethnic communities lived side by side. Many scholars during the time were from non-Muslim backgrounds. The most well-known order in the western world was the Mevlevi order, founded in the 13th century and based on the teachings of Persian scholar, poet, and mystic; Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi. Rumi quoted by many, is one of the most read poets in the west today. It is in the Mevlevi order that Sufi whirling originated; a form of physically active meditation through which the dervish aims to reach the source of all perfection. Sufism has been practised far and wide including Mali, Senegal, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. This has meant a rich legacy of beautiful music, art, dance, and poetry which still has, as much relevance today as it did in the time that it was created. I believe there is as much need for Sufi teachings today, than ever. In a world that is becoming increasingly fast paced, where individuals are so caught up in the system, they are losing sight of who they are. Where loneliness and isolation continue to create poorer physical and mental health. Where an emphasis on the ‘I’ takes precedence over the ‘we’. Where the yearning to be seen is so deep but overshadowed by the fear of removing the mask in case of being misunderstood, seen as weak or worse, taken advantage of. Sufism can allow for healing and purification of the self. Shared experiences of world music, poetry and art can create connection, a higher vibrational frequency, joy, optimism, and beauty. Learning about another people’s culture can allow for overcoming ‘otherness’, giving us a sense of unity rather than separateness. This is how I see Sufism playing out today. Since embarking on this journey, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much appreciation there is for Sufism in my circles. I refer to non-Muslim friends and acquaintances who are also seekers and question, rather than accept. Who see life as a gift and want to use it for the betterment of others. This has been very heartening and soul enriching. Thank you for reading this post. If you would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to email me at info@saimamjid.uk Religion of Love by Ibn Al-Arabi “My heart holds within it every form, it contains a pasture for gazelles, a monastery for Christian monks. There is a temple for idol-worshippers, a holy shrine for pilgrims; There is the table of the Torah, and the Book of the Koran. I follow the religion of Love and go whichever way His camel leads me. his is the true faith; This is the true religion.” *Pls note- everything I share comes from a place of passion. I am on my own journey and self-teaching. If you notice any errors in my writing, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Bearing in mind, some historical dates have been disputed.

There is great power in being brought to your knees by life. To the depths of despair. In becoming so lost in the abyss that you find yourself wading through the darkness trying to find the light. 'The dark night of the soul' is how this is described by 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet St. John of the Cross. 'A phase of passive purification of the spirit in the mystical development'. This is what happened to me. Without knowing it, gods plan to elevate me to a greater level of consciousness. ' The search for truth or my truth, began nine years ago...… Along the spiritual path, there were questions and BIG QUESTIONS. There was doubt, deep sadness and loneliness. A rocky road to say the least. Just when I thought I had found the answers, the rug would again be pulled from underneath me, plunging me back into the abyss. Last Ramadan, something changed drastically. Things began to make sense in a way they had not previously. The more I became submerged into my spiritual life, the more sensitive I became to external noise. I no longer felt the urge to be visible. My ego very slowly stopped desiring the need for recognition, external validation or to be seen as ‘somebody’. At times, the prospect of being a nobody felt preferable. My 'mask' was dissipating, bringing my 'shadow' to the light'*. No easy feat in a society which values worldly success over spiritual expansion, visibility over anonymity. The process of surrender was painful on epic levels and the work is still nowhere near done. In fact, this need to be seen as 'someone' rears it's ugly head now and again. I'm human after all! Last Ramadan however, gave me the permission to disappear. Ramadan said, ‘I hear you, I understand'. It allowed me to honour the path I was on. I fasted for the very first time at the age of six. Prayer came later but I completed reading the Quran (in Arabic) at six and a half years old, shocking the community around me. As a child, this was exciting but as I got older, it became a sense of duty. Coming from a cognitive place of ‘I should’ rather than ‘I know’. Until of course, the breakdown or…’ breakthrough’. It is not that I had 'not' known piety throughout my life, I had just not paid attention. To that retiree who quietly devotes his time to charitable community causes. The rapper with his tens and thousands of fans who disappears to support refugees on the borders of France without a word to anyone. The talented photographer who elevates those he photographs but himself peacefully remains on the periphery. Instead, I favoured those, like myself, in the pursuit of ‘worldly’ greatness. Ramadan taught me that ‘fulfilling your life and soul's potential’ can be sought from a humble life. It can be sought from the simple act of being grateful. Submitting before God in prayer (Namaz) is an act which brings you closer to your humanity than any other. This is a gift. Abstaining from food and water (Roza) for sixteen hours a day alongside Muslims all over the world is a miracle. Donating money (Zakat) to those in need does not take away from you but gives a greater sense of peace. On a worldly level, Ramadan has allowed me to accept and fully own the things which give me joy and meaning. Those things are cooking a delicious meal for the ones I love. Creating opportunities for others to shine. Buying gifts from the heart. Seeking beautiful conversations regardless of where people come from or their way of life. From smiling at a stranger whilst looking them in the eye. From a stranger smiling at me. From being absorbed in a book, music or doing work that I love. From being supported by those around me. This is what I have learned is the true meaning of Ramadan If you'd like to hear more about my journey, please go to about me Saima x *The shadow and mask principles are from the work of Swiss Psychologist Carl Jung

I recently took myself off for a quick getaway to the medieval city of Limoges, France. I had no idea of what to expect from this city. It was convenience over dream destination that determined my choice. The plan was to walk and ‘be’. Different environment, different culture, different people. And maybe, even be surprised. And surprised I was. The city did not disappoint. What a beautiful four days I experienced. I’m a sentiment soul, and find myself falling in love with history more and more. I love story telling and hearing stories, and in the same way I love to hear a person’s story (hence podcast and coaching) I love to learn about a city’s story. About the people that once inhabited it. What they created. What they left behind. I find that these stories bring a city to life. So, let’s talk about Limoges… Limoges is a city with a population of 131,000 located in south-west central France. It was founded in 10 BC and became an important Gallo Roman city. Gallo I learned, refers to the Gauls or Gallic in Latin. A group of Celtic people's in mainland Europe that were conquered by the Romans. The city is known for its decorated porcelain and in the 11th century, Limoges became a flourishing artistic centre. From the 12th century onwards, its porcelain was exported throughout the Christian world, and in fact, more than 50% of all porcelain made in France comes from Limoges. In 2018, it was named as a UNESCO creative city. You can feel this creativity buzzing through the windy small picturesque streets. With quirky and tasteful boutiques and delectable eateries around every corner. These gems are endless and just when you think ‘you've done it all’, you discover another artisan patisserie, chocolatier, perfumery, or gift shop. What the French do so effectively in contemporary design, is combine ‘fun’ and sophistication perfectly. Despite the small scale of the city, it is steeped in history. Below are just some of the historical sights that really tantalised my senses. Quartier de la Boucherie had to be my first stop as this is what captivated me in the few images I'd seen before my trip. Boucherie refers to butchers and as the name suggests, this was the butchers quarter. You can feel the medieval atmosphere amongst these old streets and can imagine that once, there would been a hive of activity here. Now you find charming boutiques housed in these buildings. I discovered the most amazing little concept store selling designer gifts by French brands only. Cathedrale St-Etienne is a Roman Catholic Church in the Gothic Renaissance and Romanesque styles. It’s construction began in 1273 and finished in 1888. Because of the time of year I visited, there was no one else in the cathedral and upon entering this vast stone structure, the temperature was cold, it was dark in there and felt eerie. This also made it exciting and awe inspiring. What struck me the most, in addition to the architecture were the organs, the incredibly detailed and vibrant stained glass windows (just how did they do these?) and the surface patterns on the walls and columns. So much contrasting but also complimentary design detail within one space. Gare de Limoges Benedictins, designed by architect Roger Gonthier and inaugurated in 1928, was the first stone built station in the city. On two occasions during my trip, I was told by the French, that this was the most beautiful railway station in the whole of France and indeed, it was stunning. I loved not only the exterior of the station but also the art deco stained glass in the station, designed by artist Francis Chigot. I’ll be referring to more of his work later in the post. Pavillon du Verdurier is now used as an art exhibition space, but was once a space for refrigerating meat imported from Argentina. The purpose of this; to put an end to the butcher families who monopolised the sector in rue de la Boucherie. It was designed by the same architect who designed the Gare de Limoges Benedictins. I fell in love with the colour palette as well as the intricate mosaic work. Musee des Beaux Arts De Limoges had to be one of the highlights of the trip. Located in the former Episcopal Palace, it opened in 1912. There are four collections in the museum; Enamels both contemporary and old, Fine Arts, The history of Limoges dating back to it's Gallo-Roman times and, Egyptology, which was gifted to Jean-Andre Perichan, a Limousin manufacturer who spent time in Egypt in the early 20th century. I felt very fortunate as there was a temporary exhibition based on the work of Francis Chigot. Chigot was a painter born in Limoges in 1879. He went onto become the leading French stained glass artist. I'd not heard of Chigot before my trip but I'm over the moon that I got to see his work as his use of colour and painting style was just delectable. Francis Chigot 1879-1960 Around town There was so much to see in Limoges that to put it all into categories would have been an endless task, so below, I have shared photos I took around town including some of the treats I may have sampled :) I hope you enjoyed reading. If you'd like to watch the video version of this blog, pop over to my Instagram feed. I would also love to hear any feedback you may have in the comments section.

Start your transformational journey today LET'S GO Services 1 One-to-one Coaching I work with clients on a one-to-one basis who are ready to face and work through their limiting beliefs in order to make progress in their lives. Want to discover who they truly are and what matters most to them. And recognise their uniqueness and place in the world. More info 2 Group Coaching The Design Your Life programme is a series of Personal Development and Wellbeing sessions which enable you to find clarity and direction in your life​, develop self-awareness in order to become conscious of your behaviours, emotions and limiting beliefs, manage your wellbeing in order to peaceful inner and outer life and much more. More info 3 Speaking I speak at universities, conferences and corporate organisations about mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, harnessing the courage to live a truthful and authentic life, crossing divides in communities and the importance of meaning and purpose in your life. Collaborations include Nottingham Trent University, The University of West London and British Islam Conference. More info Clients Say "Saima is safe space. In such a short time, she created an environment where I felt safe to share what was truly going on in my mind and heart and helped me dig deeper letting me guide my own experience." Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza, Chemical Biologist and National Geographic Explorer Blog Sufism and me As a child growing up in a Pakistani family, there was always Sufi music playing in our house. Sufi music, if you don't know is music... How I finally came to know the meaning of Ramadan There is great power in being brought to your knees by life. To the depths of despair. In becoming so lost in the abyss that you find... A quick getaway to the charming medieval city of Limoges I recently took myself off for a quick getaway to the medieval city of Limoges, France. I had no idea of what to expect from this city.... Instagram Working With the Best Clients and Partners

Speaking I speak at universities, conferences and corporate organisations about personal development, lifestyle and wellbeing. I have partnered with Nottingham Trent University, The University of West London, University of Bolton and British Islam conference. Topics I speak about 1/ Embrace your differences to stand out in the world What is covered in this talk: Celebrating your differences Building inner confidence and self-belief Facing fears Adopting an abundance and growth mindset Positive self-talk and being your own cheerleader Daring greatly and courageously Failure and the lessons we can learn from it Individuals who have embraced their differences and stood out in the world 2/ Arts, Culture and Me In a divided world where individuals are becoming increasingly isolated from each other and themselves, what can we do to recreate a sense of community and, help ourselves and others find belonging. In this session, I will share the impact the Arts and Culture have played in my own process of self-discovery, personal empowerment, and healing. Also, ways in which beauty and creativity has bought me closer to like-minded individuals who truly care about creating a more peaceful, beautiful, and loving world. 3/ Restore and Replenish What is covered in this talk: The impact of stress, isola tion and overwhelm on the psyche How fear-based thinking holds us back and disconnects us from ourselves How we can begin to explore the inner life and start realigning with the truth of who we are How we can go from surviving to recreating balance and harmony Get in touch If you have any questions about speaking or would like to invite me to speak at your event, please use this form to get in touch.

Services I'd like to tell you more about coaching before we dive into what I offer and maybe best for you ... ​ When we feel lost, lonely and overwhelmed, it's because we are not living in our truth. Coaching, is a safe space where you can leave your armour at the door and be your true self. I am interested in the person you 'really are', including all of your complexities. Even though you may perceive this version of you to be weak, this is where your strength lies. When you are in your truth, you can live an authentic life that gives you freedom from the shackles of the world around you. By cultivating self-love, healing inner pain, bringing parts of yourself you hide from the world to the surface, implementing healthy boundaries and getting inspired, you can make space to harness your superpowers. I will hold the space for you to move forward gently and with clarity. You will learn how to use your voice powerfully and authentically. You will harness your creativity to enable you to come from a place of inspiration. We will design a holistic wellbeing programme so you can feel healthy in mind and body. Why have a coach? A coach can take you to a place internally and externally that you may not be able to go to yourself or that an unqualified person cannot. A coach will provide you with the space and support to work through your challenges and goals. The coaches role is to help you specifically which you cannot 'expect' from anyone else in your life. Because sometimes we don't want to do it ourselves. This is an absolute natural feeling as a human being and an act of self-love. Provided you are ready to commit to the coaching journey, you will get to a place where you: Feel inspired and excited about life. Be in control of your own life and not allow your life to control you. Break old thinking and behaviour patterns that you may have held since childhood and are not serving you. Learn to use your voice and own your story. Reconnect with your inner child. Connect with your true authentic self so that you can confidently move through the world. Implement healthy habits to support you with your overall wellbeing. How we can work together 1 One-to-one coaching I work with clients on a one-to-one basis who are ready to face and work through their limiting beliefs in order to make progress in their lives. More Info 2 Group coaching 'Design Your Life' is my Personal Development and Wellbeing programme, which I deliver to organisations and groups. More Info 3 Speaking I speak at universities, conferences and corporate organisations about mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing and harnessing the courage to live a truthful and authentic life. More Info Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza, Chemical Biologist and National Geographic Explorer "Saima is safe space. In such a short time, she created an environment where I felt safe to share what was truly going on in my mind and heart and helped me dig deeper letting me guide my own experience." Let's Work Together If you would like to find out more about coaching or services I offer, please reach out via this contact form