Meet Noura Ismaeil | Somatic Practitioner & Creativity Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Noura Ismaeil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Noura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The moment I realized I was done trying to fit myself into boxes I never wanted to be in, in the first place. I dropped out of graduate school to become a licensed therapist to start a business instead because the restrictions and limitations of working in a clinical model went against every fiber of my being. This insight lead me to realize that I was drawn to grad school for the safety, but that safety would be a slow burn goodbye to my creativity, my freedom and my souls calling. There was less thought about starting my business and more of a knowing. I knew the risk I was taking leaving something secure but the longing to experience the journey of entrepreneurship was so loud and so exciting to me. I don’t regret it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is a reflection of my passion, it has been an incredibly rich spiritual journey and has shaped me as a person in immeasurable ways. My services focus on helping spirit-led founders, wellness entrepreneurs and creatives to bring their vision to life. I combine identity alchemy and genius extraction with somatic nervous system regulation to help people work through the trauma that is in the way of them sharing their gifts with the world. I bring my clients through a 3-stage process that helps them heal, tap into creative genius and express their essence. What sets me apart is that I recognize the creative process as a process of change, and all change requires support. Birthing a heart-centered vision, business or creative project is a psycho-spiritual journey that requires support and expertise.

I got where I am today by finding mentors and communities to support me along the way. I worked for a while in a clinical setting but new that entrepreneurship would be something new and something that would have challenges that I didn’t want to go through alone. I have found that entrepreneurship can be extremely confronting on many levels. It brings up our deepest fears and traumas and this is why I developed the method I developed. To help people meet the edges and move past them.

I see challenge as a gateway. But I don’t see challenge in the traditional Western way. It is not something to will or force or bio-hack our way through. Challenges are usually related to aspects of ourselves that we need to meet and alchemize. For me, business is just another opportunity for shadow work, spiritual growth and creative expansion.

My business is about helping people embody the creative process so they can express their vision in the world and feel good doing it. I like to say I help people go from gifted to gifting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout Michael Ricci, a friend, fellow artist and mentor for his powerful guidance at a time in my life where his wisdom and support was truly life changing. Mike is 20 years my senior but his life experience and zen wisdom was deeply impactful. I did a 2 year apprenticeship with him learning to make Japanese Tea Bowls and exploring sculpture.

Website: https://www.BodyAsVessel.com

Instagram: @bodyasvessel

Image Credits
Jessica Pettingill