Hi, I'm Hedi Shah
Mindfulness Teacher & Bodyworker
My name is Hedieh (هدیه), pronounced Heh-dee-eh. It means “gift” in Farsi.
I usually go by Hedi (Heh-dee), though I still get called Heidi about 95% of the time. I’m learning to correct people before it’s too late.
I’m Iranian and chose Canada as my second home. Then I fell in love with someone in the UK, so now we live in a little town in northwest England near the Irish Sea with our sassy cat, Clair de lune.
I’m here to help people who feel like they’ve tried everything finally move beyond what keeps them stuck and in pain.
Not with another quick fix or by pushing harder, but by listening to their body to understand.
My work combines mindfulness with bodywork and posture-focused strength training, because in my experience, lasting change happens when we work with the whole system: your nervous system, your breath, your patterns, and your lived reality.
I didn’t come to this work because it was trendy, I came to it because I needed it.
My journey with injury, concussion, and chronic health challenges, along with navigating life as a woman, immigrant, and entrepreneur, forced me to look for answers outside the conventional medicine and usual “health and wellness” spaces.
And honestly, a lot of those spaces also failed me terribly.
When I finally found what worked, it didn’t feel like a miracle cure. It felt like stripping away what wasn’t mine and coming back to myself, piece by piece.
This unconditioning path continues.
And for over a decade now, I’ve been helping individuals and teams do the same.
Returning to the bones, led by the heart.
My lived experience includes:
- Recovery after a car accident that resulted in an undiagnosed concussion and a complete “reality breakdown” moment, where nothing felt stable.
- Healing after 15 years of struggling with cystic acne, PCOS, and an emotional eating disorder.
- Regaining mobility and flexibility after feeling stiff for as long as I could remember.
What I’m most proud of:
- Creative expression is now my top value in life.
- I lead from enjoyment, not to prove I’m enough.
- I’ve stopped performing my life and started living it.
What drives me:
- Leaving places cozier and more beautiful than I found them…
- Honoring the privilege of using my voice and speaking for all the women before me who couldn’t, and paving a path for the daughters who come after.
- Creating more choices for myself, my family, and my community to live a sovereign life.
I share this because it shapes how I work. I understand what it’s like to do “all the right things” and still feel stuck. I understand the exhaustion of constantly searching for the missing piece.
And I know how vulnerable it can feel to hope again.
You’ll want to join the…
Unconditioning Movement
(Best enjoyed with something warm in hand and a few minutes to yourself.)
Podcast appearances
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this therapy, physical therapy, or medical care?
No. This work is educational and coaching-based. It can be deeply supportive, but it’s not a replacement for medical care, mental health therapy, or physical therapy. If you’re dealing with acute injury, complex symptoms, or anything that needs medical attention, I’ll encourage you to work with the appropriate licensed provider alongside this work.
Do I need to be “flexible” or “fit” to start?
No. You don’t need a baseline level of flexibility, strength, or mindfulness experience. We start where you are and adapt the work to your capacity, history, and goals.
Do you offer online and in-person sessions?
It depends on the offer:
Your Unconditioning Path is online.
Live experiences can be virtual or in-person (depending on needs and location).
If you’re unsure, reach out, and I’ll point you to the best fit.
How do I book, what’s the process?
Choose the offer you’re interested in and follow the booking link. If you’re booking a live experience for an organization/event, you’ll inquire first so we can confirm goals, format, and scheduling.
How far in advance should I book?
If you have a specific date (especially for events), earlier is always better. For live experiences, 4–6 weeks is a good guideline to allow for planning and customization.
Do you work with groups or organizations?
Yes. Live experiences can work well for intimate groups and large events. These aren’t passive talks. Participants are guided through practices, movement, and reflection.
What if I’m not sure which offer is right for me?
If you’re not sure, start with the Body Check-in. It’s the simplest way to understand your patterns and get a clear recommendation for next steps.