Chelley O’Donovan a qualified Clinical Herbalist, Reiki Master, Yoga and Biomechanics teacher. Initially studying for 4 years in UCC she graduated with honours in Business Information Systems. Deciding to progress her interest in holistic health she began her training in disciplines that could improve and support people’s wellbeing.
Her interest in alternative routes other than mainstream medicine started in her twenties when she started looking for answers to my own health. A step on a journey that has brought her to many places on all levels. Chelley has travelled to many countries and cultures learning about traditional medicines from indigenous tribes from India to Peru and many more.
Chelley’s interest in cultures and their use of plant medicine brought her to official training for five years to qualify as a Clinical Herbalist, in this time she not only work closely with plants deeply getting to understand their nature but also with extremely knowledgeable Herbalists throughout Ireland and the UK.
Training in Dharamsala, northern India completing 200hr teacher training course, Yoga Alliance Certified, then furthering her training she completed her teacher training in Yin Yoga with Josh Summers, providing a Yin/Yang balance in her teaching style. In later years she wanted to deepen her knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body and how it is affected in Yoga. She found a teacher who could help her tie in the modern science with the ancient disciplines with Biomechanics, this has allowed her to work deeper with her clients in rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Based in Cork she founded Willowherb Clinic on the skills developed and the knowledge obtained in the last thirteen years of training, studying and supporting clients. Combining her love of the energetic approaches of TCM and Ayurveda with the modern science she treats clients with a holistic approach, treating each person as an individual and creating a treatment plan specifically designed for their needs.
She teaches Introduction to Herbal Medicine courses, medicine making and foraging walks to share her deep love of nature and the abundance of healing properties that surround us. Imparting knowledge is an important part of her work, helping put people in touch with natural sources of medicine, supporting sustainability and personal sovereignty.