Denise Borland

Contact Denise at: info@noblecentre.org
07785 743555

Voicework

CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
I had not anticipated the impact that working with Denise would have. It was not just the effect on my voice (which was striking) but also the discovery of how significant emotional and psychological factors are in voice quality.  It was fascinating to experience how Denise was able to identify when my thoughts or feelings were affecting my voice. It was even more amazing how she then taught me various strategies, drawing on her training in body psychotherapy as well as more a traditional singing teacher’s knowledge of the mechanics of voice production, to address these.

I went along to improve the quality of my speaking voice – and discovered that I could sing!

As a psychologist, I often work with people who are in distress.  Denise’s ground-breaking work on “The Psychology of Voice” is, in my opinion, very relevant to work in the area of mental health as well as extremely valuable in the field of singing and performance.

Helping the Helper

VOCAL TEACHER SUPERVISEE
At times I have felt isolated as a vocal tutor and without understanding of what happens in my teaching studio, I have struggled. The supervision and support I have received from Denise has not only given me a safe space to voice my concerns and talk confidentially about any issues but it has also given a feeling of being part of something and having a network of colleagues. I believe I am more potent and happy in my teaching role due to the sounding board provided by Denise. Her knowledge on communication styles and group processes has changed my working style to enable me to help my students to progress in a safe and non-judgemental way. My teaching style would be less successful, for me and my students, if it wasn’t for this key information.

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
I believe that Denise’s Help for the Helper toolkit is a groundbreaking resource drawing as it does upon the various strands of her expertise - her psychotherapy training, The Singer’s Psyche research and vocal performance work. It offers valuable insights for all people working therapeutically with others, aiding the development of a greater understanding of how we can be affected by the work we do and of the significance of the intersection between the interpersonal and the intrapsychic. My psychology colleagues and I have found it of great use and I would have no hesitation in recommending it.

Transformational Breath®

CARE PROFESSIONAL
As an experienced 'breather' and already aware of the process of Transformational Breath sessions, I found my sessions with Denise to be extremely beneficial both emotionally and physically. Denise has a natural gift of making you feel very much at ease and safe in her work space. As an experienced bodyworker, Denise is also very intuitive in knowing the areas of my body to work with, as well as the level of pressure required to help me move my blocked energies and emotions with the support of connected breathing. During each of our sessions I found myself in some very deep emotional places and I could feel the energy shifting in my body. I was able to let go and breath and tone through these shifts knowing that I would be supported through the process by Denise's care and facilitation. After each of our sessions I felt much lighter, more connected to my body and my true emotions and much more at peace with where, and who, I am today. I would recommend Denise as a facilitator to anyone interested, as she is excellent at what she does and breath and body work really does help.

RESEARCHER
I came to  Denise Borland for transformational breathing sessions to help me increase my breath function, gain confidence vocally and reconnect with my inner voice. The sessions were tailored to my specific needs and  Denise Borland worked skilfully, intelligently and intuitively to help me to achieve amazing results. Transformational breathing has enabled me to let go of old habits and emotions that were stopping me from moving forward and, in turn, has freed up space in my lungs and my life for me to be able to let in the new and the wonderful. If you are looking to improve your voice, breath and overall wellbeing, I highly recommend transformational breathing and Denise Borland as a breathing facilitator. My experience of working on my breath with Denise Borland has been a truly transformational one!

VOCAL PERFORMER
I was slightly apprehensive about my first transformational breathing session as I didn’t know what to expect, but Denise immediately created a very safe, comfortable and relaxing environment.

As an actor I hoped to gain confidence and optimise my breathing for performance, which I feel was achieved, but the benefits were further reaching than I expected. I gained a sense of freedom and ease, not just physically with my breathing, but also mentally – in a way that has impacted on my personal life as well as my professional life.

Denise is clearly a very skilled, sensitive and professional practitioner and the combination of physical and psychological therapeutic experience involved in this treatment was fascinating and enjoyable, as well as beneficial. I would definitely recommend Denise’s transformational breathing sessions, not just for performers, but anyone who feels “blocked” in some way.  

Sophie Bancroft

Contact Sophie at: sbancroft@btinternet.com

MUSIC TEACHER
I had no idea what to expect with shiatsu. I suffer from chronic back pain, so I’m very wary of anyone touching me. Sophie immediately made me feel at ease and all my worries and physical tensions drifted away as she intuitively manipulated my body where it told her it wanted to go. I now recommend it to everyone I know. It’s a totally empathetic experience.

HEALTH VISITOR
I found it a wonderful experience every session. The shiatsu seemed to give me what I needed at the time. I clearly remember my first session. I had been feeling very tense but hadn't really acknowledged that to myself. I hadn't been sleeping well for a long time, and had a lot of stress & anxiety related to my health, which I'd kept hidden from the surface- but it was there..deep down. The shiatsu session completely relaxed me in a way I had not felt for a very long time. It just seemed to take away the tension from my body. I felt as if I'd been in a tight ball & had been released and stretched out in the most wonderful way. It also gave me a huge emotional release which I really needed. I felt as if I'd been given the most wonderful gift of care. I also think that you are such a special person & give off a very caring, warm vibe that instills trust & allows that release to happen. Naturally healing, really. I'm sure it helped my sleep too. During future sessions I felt that my energy channels changed. I felt that my energy levels had been low for a long time and that I had just been struggling on. I felt my energy improve and I felt more balanced during and after shiatsu. It felt very positive and as if energy was flowing through my body now.

Overall I felt a greater sense of wellbeing after shiatsu which was something I was needing. The whole thing was a wonderful, relaxing experience & felt very therapeutic. The sense of wellbeing continued well beyond the sessions and helped me move forward which felt empowering. I felt you were very sensitive to my needs and adapted the sessions accordingly. It was very easy to talk to you at the start & that part felt extremely therapeutic too. I almost feel I don't have the words to express how wonderful it was & how much it helped me but I hope what i've said goes some way towards showing what I felt about it. I'm truly grateful to you, Sophie.

MUSIC TEACHER
After Shiatsu sessions with Sophie I have consistently felt the following benefits :- better sleep (both longer and deeper) a relaxing of emotional and physical tensions, a sense of calm and improved ease of movement. The physical and emotional benefits have been an amazing surprise to me - I had previously thought Shiatsu merely to be a form of massage. It is much much more, and I plan to have treatments on an ongoing basis. Thank you Sophie!

ENGINEER
I feel the Shiatsu treatments I have received from you have made a very positive impact on my physical and emotional states.

MUSICIAN
Makes you extremely relaxed, changes the way you feel about your body, and has surprising effects on the way you feel and behave- in a very good & interesting way. The combination of talking about everything and then hearing what the body says about it all is very powerful - recommended!!

MUSICIAN
A very positive physical and mental experience.

MUSICIAN
Really enjoyed the sessions. They made me think about things in a different way which was very beneficial.

Linda Melville-Boyde

Contact Linda at: lindaboyde@btinternet.com

Carol Finlayson
Linda was born to massage, set me up for the day ahead! I'll be back!

Kevin Carty
Have been using the lotion every morning and evening and the pain in my hip has definitely eased. I will be continuing to use it.

Ali Bell

Contact Ali at: alibell1984@yahoo.co.uk
07970 153227

CHOIR MEMBER
Encouraging, gentle manner, she helped me to reconnect my soul with the music.

SINGING STUDENT AND CHOIR MEMBER
Ali has a generous and positive approach to vocal coaching. She continually reassures where necessary and is endlessly practical...she provides real workable solutions to strengthen your vocal performance. Ali imbues a sense of achievement in her students, and her relaxed, confident attitude engages and gets the best from her students. As one of a choir who has benefitted from her expertise, I can honestly say that through her ‘tricks of the trade’ she tuned a whole section from flat to in key in under an hour. The difference was quite remarkable. Our musical director’s jaw was on the ground. Highly, highly recommend her.

Massage Therapy

SINGER AND TEACHER
Ali has a wonderful touch when massaging, she relaxes my whole body and leaves me feeling both chilled out and energised. She has a gentle and caring manner that completely puts me at ease. I have found all the different treatments I have had from her, most relaxing and spot on for my needs on that day.