Mira Patel took a leap of faith when she stepped back from a high-powered career to follow her dream.
Now, through her Prana Coaching business, she helps clients to set out on a journey of discovery that leads to a more fulfilling future.
A human resources professional with an impressive history of working in that field, several years ago she began to think it was time for a change to achieve a more balanced and harmonious life for herself.
“I graduated in human resources and enjoyed working in that industry for many years, but about four or five years ago I began to consider my own personal development programme,” she says.
“I’ve been married for 15 years and have two children, a 12-year-old girl and a boy who is now three-and-a-half years old. We live in an extended family which has taught me a lot about relationships between several generations living under one roof – it’s amazing.
“After my second child was born, I went back to work but it was quite difficult to combine a demanding job with being a mother. My husband said to me that my life was out of synch – out to work all day then coming home and working on my laptop.
“He suggested I should give myself a break. Take some time out and devote it to thinking about how I could achieve my dream – I should take a step back, do that for a year and a half or however long it took to decide what I really wanted to do.
“At the time I was working for Virgin Holidays, which I enjoyed, but the part of human resources I loved was the ‘people’ side. Any job involves admin but for me it had always been the people part I enjoyed most. I loved helping people within every organisation I had worked with.
“One day when I was already considering what I was doing with my life, I got talking to a trainer friend who asked if I had thought about doing life coaching and suggested I go to a seminar in London. That was a few years ago but after that seminar I decided there and then to take a step back and focus on deciding where I really wanted to be.
“Although I wanted a change, I didn’t want it to be something completely different and life coaching tied into my human resources experience.”
Mira spent the next 18 months exploring the possibility of having a business of her own and then acquiring the knowledge and training she would need to become an effective life coach.
“I love being a mum but I also love being me and that’s why I set up Prana Coaching last September,” she explains.
“The name is very important to me – in Sanskrit, Prana means ‘life force’ and through my coaching I want to encourage people to ignite their own life force, I aim to help them feel empowered and energised.”
Through her work in human resources, Mira felt she had encountered a number of people who although reasonably contented, realised that like herself their lives were out of synch yet they procrastinated over making any major changes.
“Life coaching isn’t about telling people what to do, it’s about empowering them, guiding them to where they want to be,” she explains. “It can be enormously beneficial on a personal level, leading them to the kind of ‘wow’ moment I experienced – that’s amazing.
“Being in tune with yourself is very important for your wellbeing. Too often we forget self care so I like to take people back to the inner child within themselves, giving them a new self purpose, more aligned with nature. Essentially it’s connecting heart and mind and that enables you to make better decisions.”
As well as working one-to-one with several private clients, through Prana Coaching Mira offers a wide range of workshops devoted to energising and empowering. These include half-day and full-day sessions and while these are often spread over a course of several weeks, in April Mira is holding a three-day retreat over a weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Tilton House.
There are places for up to eight people at what promises to be a wonderfully inspirational event, immersed in nature and with a wide range of activities designed to assist in achieving the desired heart, mind and soul connection.
At the start of the weekend, on the Friday afternoon, time will be spent identifying what each individual participant hopes to achieve and the techniques and tools appropriate to help reach their objectives. The intensity of the coaching sessions will be interspersed with optional activities such as yoga and crystal healing. Weather permitting, some activities will be held outdoors, communing with nature.
There will also be time to relax and superb vegan and vegetarian meals will add to the enjoyment of the weekend.
Mira’s coaching is suitable for all ages – she holds special classes for young girls and this year she will be travelling to Mumbai to help empower girls there.