Testimonials

This course was a blessing for me it became a true beacon in my inner journey.

I felt deeply connected to my inner self, followed the path gracefully with true intention and sole purpose to reunite with one’s true self. With the True support and steering I find myself looking inward and recognising the true self of me that were unfamiliar till now. It introduced me to a new pathway leading back to myself, which made the whole experience as a rare opportunity.

I learned to focus on myself first, in a positive and guilt free way before trying to give to others. I unlearned the habit of instantly saying “yes” to everything and realized that it is completely okay to give myself time. I understood that self care is not selfish. It is essential. It is grounding. It is unconditional.

The concept of the Body Mind connection was especially powerful for me. Learning to understand the unspoken language of the body felt exciting and eye opening.

A prominent shift I have observed in myself is that I have become slower, deeper, More aware, less perturbed with the actions of others and feel more grounded. The people pleasing attitude has gently vanished and I now respond with awareness instead of reacting automatically.

The group experience was one of the most valuable aspects of this course. It truly nourished my emotional and spiritual being like quality food for the soul.

The pacing of the course was perfect

The content was balanced and thoughtfully designed.

I used almost every material during the course. The depth of my understanding expanded and widened, and I will continue learning further.

The themes were beautifully structured, offering a holistic approach and covering all essential aspects of the therapy.

The facilitation process was amazing well structured, rhythmic, and safe. I truly felt supported, protected, and held during every session.

The group environment was icing on the cake it held me with warmth and made me feel seen and transformed the entire experience.

I will definitely apply this learning in my personal, professional, and everyday life. In fact, it has already begun shaping my life with grace and creating a more positive environment around me. My actions are coated with grace at all times and I feel blessed irrespective of the situations.

The content, offering, and delivery were excellent.

I would definitely recommend this course to the ones, who truly wishes to understand themselves more deeply and explore the magic of the body mind connection, want to experience the bliss within and all around themselves which can enrich their overall experience living a meaningful life.

Rutika, I am truly greatful to you for giving me this Opportunity and pushed to the levels which I could never even have travelled on my own, your True and Pure intentions made the offerings even Blissful and left me with no words. Still whatever I could convey through words is written here, Although the priceless experience which I gained is beyond words. This course changed the way I used to perceive situations and life itself. It shifted my perspective into a more positive, aware, calm, thoughtful, observant and grounded being.

When you first invited me to join, I had no idea how deeply it would transform me. The results truly surprised me. I am deeply grateful to you and to the entire group.

This course and your facilitation have transformed me into a more graceful being, someone who now pays attention to the small blisses of life and Happiness and Bliss around me. The magic of self experience has left me amazed and even the people around me have noticed the shift.

Thank you from the depth of my heart.

With grace and love.

Overall, this course has been deeply fulfilling for me, not just because of what I learned, but because of what I felt and what I was gently confronted with over these two months. If I had to name what stayed with me most, it would be the connection and transparency that were fostered in the space. There was a sincerity in the group and in the way the process unfolded that I don’t take lightly. It reminded me that healing work is not only about techniques or “knowing what to do” – it’s also about presence, integrity, and how we show up when someone else is trusting us with their vulnerability.

One of the clearest understandings I gained is the importance of boundaries and emotional regulation in this kind of work. I’ve always had a friendly, free-spirited nature, and I used to think that warmth and good intention were enough. This course helped me see, in a more grounded way, that personality alone cannot “carry the torch” of transformation. Being a facilitator means you are exposed to the heavy and tender parts of people, the parts they may not even have words for yet, and without regulation, that weight can easily spill over into your own body, mood, or spirit. Learning to hold space responsibly requires maturity, containment, and discernment, not just compassion.

Certain parts of the course opened me up in ways I didn’t expect. The segments on holding space, archetypes, and the shadow were particularly vulnerable for me. They didn’t allow for surface-level reflection — they invited (and honestly, required) deep introspection. I couldn’t bypass myself in those sessions. They made me examine both my external environment and my internal world, and in doing that, I began noticing patterns I had normalized for too long.

I’ve noticed that I became more aware of how necessary it is for me to REST. Rest isn’t just a reward after hard work for me anymore; it feels like a requirement for alignment. It’s part of regulation. It’s part of stewardship. It’s part of being well enough to truly support others.

This course also impacted me emotionally and spiritually. There were times I found myself shedding tears while doing reflection assignments, and from the beginning I knew that God called me to do this course. It felt spiritually aligned – like confirmation. It affirmed a gift I’ve had for a long time but had been shying away from: the ability to revive life in people by helping them feel seen, heard, and understood. In many ways, that’s something I once searched for myself until I found it in Jesus Christ — and realizing that He can use that journey, even the painful parts of it, for purpose… that stayed with me.

On a learning level, I really appreciated the concept of non-verbal healing pathways. There was something powerful about witnessing transformation at work without the pressure of finding the “right” words. It reminded me that sometimes words are not the doorway — and in some cases, words are the wall. The creative process allows truth to rise without force. It allows emotions to move without being interrogated.

My understanding of materials also broadened in a meaningful way. I’m much more aware now that different materials can trigger different responses, and that resistance to a material is information – not something to push past carelessly. For example, I understand more clearly why some clients may not want to work with clay. Personally, I didn’t want to work with clay initially because it felt “too messy.” But I learned something about myself through that: sometimes it’s in the mess that clarity comes. Sometimes what we avoid is exactly what’s inviting us into a deeper kind of release.

In terms of structure, the pacing of the sessions felt intentional and balanced. The content never felt careless or rushed. The major challenge for me was the time difference, but I made a decision early on that I wasn’t going to simply “finish a course.” I wanted to discover what might become of me if I gave myself fully and openly to the process — even when it required sacrifice and consistency.

I also genuinely valued the way the course was facilitated. I experienced the facilitation as guided, steady, and thoughtful. I felt safe enough to reflect honestly, and supported enough to stay in the work even when it became uncomfortable. That kind of holding matters, especially when people are meeting parts of themselves they’ve avoided for years.

The group environment was intimate, and that intimacy made connection easier. There were moments where I noticed others withholding — and if I’m being honest, I also held back a bit in the beginning. But at some point, I made a choice to let go and fully immerse myself in the space, and beauty followed soon after. What I loved most was discovering our shared love for God, even though we come from different backgrounds. Everyone brought value in their own way, and it reminded me how powerful a diverse space can be when it’s rooted in respect and genuine intention.

In terms of practical application, I’m already carrying this learning forward. Recently, I facilitated a group while using insight gained from this course, and participants expressed how grateful they were for the moment to simply be – in a creative way. That feedback meant a lot to me because it confirmed what I felt throughout the course: the space itself is medicine when it’s held well.

I would absolutely recommend this course to others. To me, it’s an invitation to first heal you before trying to hold others. Self-awareness is woven all through it, and you have to be willing to be honest with yourself to receive the full value. It’s not just about gaining tools — it’s about becoming the kind of person who can use those tools responsibly. Honestly, I believe this is an experience that can benefit anyone, no matter their background or occupation, because it teaches you how to meet yourself with truth and tenderness.

This course was a deeply grounding and transformative experience. It invited me into self-awareness, emotional regulation, and true inner work — not as theory, but as practice. I would recommend it to anyone ready to heal inwardly and learn how to hold space with intention, boundaries, and compassion.

Memorable moments: One memorable moment was witnessing other members during paired work with no verbal contact — it was a powerful reminder that presence communicates in ways words never can. Another was seeing how our perspective of ourselves shifted when someone else offered a thoughtful, insightful observation; it was both humbling and healing to feel seen through another person’s eyes.

“In the silence of colours, the soul whispers its truths.” (courtesy: Internet)

Art Therapy was something that I wished to learn. This course was a dream fulfilled. I express my gratitude to Ms Rutika Ostwal for giving me this opportunity. The strokes in colours, made me go deep and discover truths that were untouched before.

Overall Experience

The artworks opened pathways of light and growth within me. Each piece—The Safe Space, My Self Image, the experience of Being Held and Holding Space, Designing My Name, Breathing with Colour Strokes, and others—became mirrors where my subconscious rose gently into awareness. Through them, I touched the rhythm of flow again and again, dissolving barriers that had long remained hidden. Spaces within me that once felt blocked began to breathe freely. In that release, the Divine within unveiled new dimensions of my potential, reminding me of the vastness I carry inside.

Learning & Understanding

These were insights that truly stayed with me. I began to sense the subtle movements within and grew more aware of my inner processes. Guiding others to step into similar experiences was equally enriching. Collaborating with Manmeet on one occasion, and later facilitating art therapy sessions with my group of friends, became powerful opportunities for growth. Each moment of facilitation carried its own lessons. The experience of facilitation of our group was also a great learning.

Concepts that were helpful to me:

• The triangular therapeutic process – Facilitator, Client and Artwork.

• Healing is a spiral process.

• Importance of Boundaries and Ethics.

• Somatics and Neuroscience.

• Body awareness of sensation and Physical Grounding – the Polyvagal Theory.

• Neuroscience based Art Therapy Approaches.

• Self-regulation and Co-regulation

• Neuro-aesthetics.

• Jung’s Shadow Theory.

• Expressive Catharsis and Containment.

• Gestalt Awareness Cycle.

These concepts motivated me to read more and learn more.

Personal Transformation

Spending reflective time with my artworks, along with the trainer’s thoughtful follow-up, allowed me to view my creations from new perspectives. This shift in perception opened the door to meaningful changes in my life. With greater awareness, I was able to re-examine and “edit” the inner scripts that shaped my experiences, leading to the changes I had long desired. Life began to take a gentle yet powerful turn toward goodness. These shifts were not only emotional but deeply spiritual, leaving me with a profound sense of connection to the Divine.

Structure & Flow

The weekly classes, supported by the assigned homework, made continuous learning possible. While some of the content felt familiar—given that I am currently pursuing a course in Counselling—what truly enriched my experience was seeing how the same concepts could be applied within the framework of Art Therapy. This perspective gave the material fresh meaning and relevance. Certain topics, in particular, deepened my understanding and allowed me to connect theory with practice in a more integrated way.

Experiential aspects

With art as my hobby, I was familiar with most of the materials. Yet, working with charcoal sticks and soft pastels for the first time opened up a new dimension of experience. What truly stood out was the unique sensation each material evoked. As I engaged with them, the neuro-somatic connections came alive, turning the process of creating art into a deeply embodied and experiential journey.

Facilitation Style

The facilitation was thoughtful and well-delivered. Your depth of knowledge in the subject and the way you brought in practical essence were truly commendable. I appreciated your guidance and felt safe in the space you created.

Group Space & Energy

I am thankful to the group members. Being part of the group gave me a strong sense of comfort and belonging. My experience within the group was both pleasant and enriching. I felt witnessed in my expressions and deeply connected to the collective energy of the group.

Practical Application

1. Personally – Engaging in this process has been a great source of self-soothing and de-stressing. I feel motivated to continue developing my art and craft skills, which also allows me to engage my right brain more fully. This creative activation has been deeply supportive of my mental health and overall wellbeing.

2. As a counsellor – These experiences have equipped me with valuable insights that I can carry forward into my practice. They will enable me to better support those who seek help, offering them creative avenues for healing and self-expression.

Thanks

My prayers and best wishes for all your future ventures.

The course has profoundly impacted my emotional and spiritual growth. I’ve developed a greater self-awareness, and the presence of the divine feminine within me has become much more tangible and real. I've begun to view my life as a sacred continuum rather than just a series of fragmented chapters.

While caring for others is important to me, I’ve come to understand the necessity of maintaining healthy boundaries and prioritizing self-care instead of always being the 'giving tree.' I’ve realized that I am not responsible for the actions and behaviours of others, and this insight has brought me profound clarity, peace, and emotional release.

I’ve learned the importance of nurturing my roots—my inner self, body, and soul—even as I support those around me. I hope this newfound clarity enables me to navigate my future with confidence, peace, and love. I feel truly grateful to have released a significant amount of pent-up negative energy through these exercises, which has allowed me to heal the wounded aspects of myself. It’s reassuring to know I have these tools at my disposal whenever I need them.

Exploring my life through the lens of archetypes was an experience I had never before undertaken. I was able to observe my own archetypal growth and felt genuinely validated by your insights, Rutika. You noted, “Your journey reflects extraordinary archetypal development—from woundedness to transformation, from service to wisdom. It embodies both depth and dignity. You are gracefully stepping into the Elder Seeker archetype, and your capacity to witness others and be witnessed is one of your greatest gifts.”

The sessions were expertly paced; I appreciated how each theoretical component was immediately followed by practical application, avoiding any long waits. The balanced content provided me with ample time to review my notes ahead of the next week, which I found quite useful.

The themes and topics guided me on a journey of self-discovery, helping me delve deeper into my inner self. They illuminated patterns in my life, encouraging me to release those that no longer serve me and inviting me to embrace new, liberating ways and paths.

What truly moved me was the act of witnessing each participant and bestowing blessings with the words, “I witness your journey as… I bless your pathway with…” It was incredibly touching.

Equally impactful was the final session centred on light, where you encouraged us to commit to daily practices that nourish and strengthen us so we can share our light with others. This moment of sent us forth by you felt like the culmination of everything we had experienced.

I appreciated the way Rutika facilitated each session, providing guidance and equipping us to lead our own sessions with our companions. Witnessing others and being witnessed in return was truly life-giving.

I've recognized that self-care is as crucial, if not more so, in the process of self-giving. If my own cup is not filled, I cannot provide meaningful support to those around me. I intend to spend some time each day in nature, nurturing both myself and the environment.

I am very pleased with the content and offerings throughout the sessions. There was ample time for reflection and personal work, which I found beneficial. I also appreciated the opportunity to connect with you one-on-one when needed; this support was particularly helpful during the initial stages when I faced some challenges. With your guidance, I was able to liberate myself rather than becoming entangled in unhelpful patterns.

I would absolutely recommend this course to others. I have gained so much from this journey of self-discovery, healing, and connection with like-hearted individuals who supported each other with love and compassion. I hope others can experience this enriching journey as well.