Paula Ishtar

Paula holds an MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology (Middlesex University) and a BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies (Liverpool John Moores University). She also holds professional qualifications in adult education, holistic therapies, counselling, and stress management, alongside a City & Guilds Science Technician Certificate. Paula is a certified Mental Health First Aider and has completed training in diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, and mindfulness.

In 2023, Paula was honoured as the Coronation Community Champion for the Wirral, selected by King Charles and Queen Camilla for her outstanding community work. She co-founded Earth Moves in 2017. Starting the current site in 2020.

Professional Background
Paula taught Psychology for Liverpool City Council for twelve years and has also worked with Sefton Council and other educational institutions. Since 1998, she has operated a dance business, delivering performances and workshops in therapeutic, community, educational, and corporate settings.

She has led national and international pilgrimages to Neolithic and sacred sites and has conducted numerous women’s empowerment workshops and retreats across the UK and Europe. Paula has lectured and performed internationally on Feminine Spirituality, Embodiment, and Middle Eastern Dance, appearing throughout the UK, Europe, and the United States.

Clients and Collaborations
Paula has delivered sessions and courses for a wide range of organisations, including Women’s Aid, Homotopia, Liverpool Pride, Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival, BBC, ITV, Age UK, RSPCA, Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Green Gathering, Glastonbury Goddess Conference, Wirral Change, and Zoe’s Place, among many others.

Dance and Creative Work
Trained in contemporary, contact improvisation, ballroom, Flamenco, and Indian classical dance, Paula’s principal focus is Oriental (Middle Eastern) dance. She has been published internationally on dance and spirituality in Spirit and Destiny, Kindred Spirit, and Archaeology Review. Her written courses on The Psychology of Self, Sociology, Shamanism, and The Divine Feminine have been published by The British School of Yoga. Earlier in her career, she was a columnist for Kerrang! magazine.

As a show creator, Paula founded Club Orientation — a vaudeville cabaret blending drag, dance, and live music with themes of the Divine Feminine, diversity, and community. The show has run successfully for over fifteen years, featuring around twenty performers and technicians.

Environmental Interests
A passionate horticulturalist, Paula has created several gardens and enjoys growing edible plants with aesthetic value. She is currently exploring permaculture and ecopsychology, advocating for ethical, sustainable approaches to food production and wellbeing.

Background and Personal Life
Coming from a family of professional international dancers, Paula’s paternal grandparents ran a dance school in Liverpool, while her father taught dance on cruise ships and practised fine art. She has a daughter and grandchild, and shares her home with two Siamese cats, a Chihuahua, and two pythons.

Other Interests
Paula plays guitar, writes songs, and enjoys reading, film, science, ancient history, and ecological interior design. She practises meditation and yoga and has a deep appreciation for live music and performance across many genres.