I seek to walk a path of integrity and realness, using music, prayer, and breath to tune my heart and sensitise myself to all beings. The Dances and my spiritual practice are my medicine and my guide in life. I hold space for myself and others to remember the grace and beauty of creation, and the unity of all things.
I was born in Tallinn, the capital of Russian-occupied Estonia, and came of age during the Singing Revolution—a peaceful, collective uprising that restored independence to my country. This non-violent political shift profoundly shaped my understanding of freedom, resilience, and the power of community.
I studied education and psychology in Estonia and later earned a master’s degree in Scotland. Since then, I have devoted myself to working with children and young people in a wide range of educational and care settings across Estonia, the UK, and New Zealand.
My first encounter with the Dances of Universal Peace and Sufi practices—at the first-ever dance camp in the Baltic region in 1995—dramatically changed the course of my life. The Sufi practices tore me wide open and awakened an insatiable hunger for spiritual depth. And, from the very first dance, I knew I wanted to share this experience with friends. I carefully wrote down every step and melody, and before leaving the camp, asked James Burgess, the main teacher, to record the tunes for me. With his blessing, I returned to Estonia and, though I did not yet really understand the sacred languages I was singing, I stepped into daily practice with sincerity, enthusiasm, and devotion. Soon after, I began leading a weekly dance circle—the first of its kind in the country.
The following year, I hitchhiked across Europe to attend the Peace Through the Arts Camp (now Sacred Arts Camp) in the UK. That journey opened a stream of blessings—unexpected encounters, lasting friendships, and invitations into new gatherings. I immersed myself in the study of Sufism and the Dances of Universal Peace, and also learned astrology, guitar, and English. I crossed Europe many times over for Sufi and dance retreats in different countries, and guided by my breath, intuition and attunement to the subtle shifts within my inner world, my perception of life became more refined as my heart grew more open and receptive. I began to trust my dreams and inner life as a true compass. By 1997, I had become a certified dance leader, and in 1998, I took Bayat, my first formal Sufi initiation, with Murshid Saadi.
Shortly after, I moved to the Findhorn community in Scotland, where I lived for ten years. There I gave birth to two children—a miracle, as medical professionals had told me I would not be able to conceive. Motherhood, and the journey of raising two very different beings, has been one of my deepest spiritual practices, grounding me in my heart and in my body like nothing else. During my years in Findhorn, I also co-founded the Shambala Retreat Centre, led pilgrimages to Nepal, Tibet, and India, founded the Estonian Dance Camp in 2001, and later, in 2012, established the first UK family Sufi camp, Dervish Days.
During this period, my path also led me to the treasures of the Mahayana school of Tibetan Buddhism. When I first met Lama Lhundrup, the abbot of Kopan Monastery, he asked if I was a Buddhist, and after hearing about my Sufi journey, he smiled and said, “You are a Buddhist.” That moment opened several years of study and meditation, primarily with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Lhundrup, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The wisdom of these teachers, together with the companionship of many other precious spiritual friends, continues to nourish and guide my practice to this day. The incredible generosity of heart I encountered along the way awakened in me a deep wish to give back—to help reduce suffering and to support the awakening of true happiness in all beings.
In the early 2000s, vivid dreams drew me toward Pir Shabda Kahn. When we met in 2002, I felt an immediate heart-recognition. In 2006, Murshid Saadi empowered me to guide others on the Sufi path; two years later, I formally asked Pir Shabda to become my guide. In 2016, he initiated me as a Sheikha, entrusting me with the further responsibility of serving mureeds and seekers of the heart. This calling continues to shape, stretch, and humble me, inviting me to grow beyond what I know, in service to humanity.
Today, I serve as a Murshid in Sufi Ruhaniat International and as a senior mentor for the Dances of Universal Peace. My teaching and travels take me across many regions of the world—most frequently in Europe, though I have also worked in New Zealand, Asia, North Africa, and the United States. With reverence and humility, I offer spiritual guidance to seekers and serve on both the DUP International Ethics Council and the Guidance Council.
Conversations & Reflections
Throughout my travels and years of practice, I have had the opportunity to sit in conversation with seekers across the globe. These interviews and articles are more than just words; they are snapshots of a shifting inner landscape—reflections on love, service, and the transformative power of the dance. I invite you to explore these dialogues as they were captured in different moments of time and corners of the world:
“Whenever life has brought me somewhere new, I simply send out this message: Universe, you brought me here—how can I best serve in this place?”
What is Love?
“What does it mean to serve love without a sense of self? In this dialogue captured in Thailand, I reflect on a journey that began with the simple kindness of strangers and grew into a lifelong calling. From hitchhiking across Europe to discovering the ‘awakening heart’ of Buddhist and Sufi practice, this conversation explores how we can turn our own gratitude into a gift for all beings.”
Read Interview →Rise! Arise! Arise!
“While much of the world was separated by digital screens, a small community in New Zealand found themselves in a unique position of grace. From a house truck on a deserted pebble beach to soaring dance circles in the native bush, this article explores what it means to hold hands and breathe together when such simple acts have become a global rarity.”
Read Article →Playground Dances
“What happens when sacred traditions meet the boundless energy of a school playground? This reflection takes us back to a small primary school in Scotland, where a six-week invitation to share ‘Golden Time’ blossomed into a weekly ritual of song and story. From the legend of Ganesha to dancing for the Ocean Goddess, discover how the simplest movements can kindle a sense of wonder and treasure in the hearts of young children.”
Read Article →Heel and Hop, Child of Freedom!
“How do you describe the taste of an apple to someone who has never tried it? In this feature for Health Plus, journalist Kai Siidirätsep joins us at an Estonian dance camp to answer that very question. What begins as a sense of curiosity and mild skepticism from a newcomer’s perspective slowly transforms into a wave of profound joy and unity. Through interviews and personal reflection, the article explores how these simple steps bring a ‘tremendous amount of light’ into one’s life, ultimately finding a peace and love within that naturally radiates out into the world.”
From Head to Heart
“What begins as a love for melody and movement often evolves into something much deeper. In this featured article for Postimees, I share the story of bringing the Dances of Universal Peace to my homeland. It is an exploration of how these sacred circles do more than just quiet the mind—they bring tangible healing to the body, reduce the stress of modern life, and act as a bridge that allows us to finally descend from the busy world of the head into the quiet sanctuary of the heart.”