Inspired By…Kanan Tekchanandi
It was 2020 when I met my latest Inspired By guest, I was drawn to be calmness, and the something different about her. That was four years before my own diagnosis, but instinctively I knew that I could learn from her, she became my coach, and an inspiration a long time before I knew we were in the same ‘gang’!
Here is Kanan’s story, “once upon a time I was a shy, secretly reclusive introverted mum of two toddlers, the ‘good show’ I put on to fit in with the other mum's hid a bubbling mix of anxiety, self-doubt, physical exhaustion, inside I knew that that I was different.
Alongside this was fear for my kids, whose behaviour was challenging and confounding, I suspected our son had ADHD. The lowest point for me, was seeing my husband having to sit on my son to brush his teeth, because he would simply not do it himself even after years of being “taught" this good habit”.
My son did have ADHD (we later discovered this was actually autism, giftedness and ADHD, what we call 2e, or twice-exceptional), and in going through this process with him we discovered – big reveal - that both myself and my partner were 2e as well, and suddenly everything in my life, and my childhood finally made sense.
I knew I needed to return to my yoga practise to help myself feel better, and it did just that, helping me rediscover the potential I had that was hidden by my autism. I dove deep into all that I loved - personal development and spiritual growth. Invested in myself, and my desire to help others end their suffering, Going on to train as a yoga, mindfulness and meditation teacher and a life coach. From there I set up as a professional de-clutterer and organiser, following my passions and working hard to believe in myself and what I was truly here to do in this lifetime”.
All along Kanan says she felt inspired to make the big changes and choices in her life due to a belief that a happy fulfilling life is the birth right of all – especially those misunderstood sensitive souls. She also carried an inner knowing that she was here for more, to do more, to create positive change in the world.
And this is the part of Kanan’s story that resonated most with me, and something I talk about often, that there are things that everyone struggles with, but if we focus and allow those around us to focus on what we aren’t doing then we lose the chance to see, use and expand into all the amazing qualities that we also have. I guarantee you that whoever you are, and whatever is holding you back you will have things that you can do, find easy probably as they are your heart calling. For me it’s writing and talking, what is yours?
Back to Kanan now she had found her dharma - to coach, mentor and help heal the wounds of other gifted and 2e neurodivergent people, who needed to know that their diversity is part of the explanation for their challenges AND their huge successes. Transforming the lives, minds and hearts of gifted, ADHD, autistic and 2e adults meant Kanan felt grateful for the pain and challenges life had thrown at her which gave her the strength, resilience, inner peace and courage she needed to offer this highly potent, deeply intimate shadow work.
The end result for her has been a transformation in herself and her family life, they are happy, healthy and well, but when bumps appear they are able to repair these ruptures.
She says her hope for the future is to create a community, which as an introvert, sensitive and autistic has always been a real challenge for her, something I totally understand. After telling herself that she didn’t want or need it she now feels at a stage of life where she wants to share her energy and wisdom, and receive this from like minded souls.
She now has a vision where she am meant to bring this community together, to do something about this sense of being deeply misunderstood, tackling this deep loneliness.. The sense that the world has so much surface level noise when what we want and need is more depth, meaning and sacredness.
When I asked Kanan what message she wanted to share with readers she said “I would like people to know and hold that you are perfect as you are. If you feel broken, know that you are not. You may have emotional wounds that need healing, but you are perfect as you are. And you do belong, you just need to come back home to your true self. Use your body's wisdom - I say Feel It To Heal It, Name It To Tame It. All I can say is, manifestation of dreams is real - there are so many things that I have created - including attracting some people into my world that I would never have dreamed possible! Magic happens when we connect to our innate power!
And lastly Kanan says she is always happy to deliver a free talk to companies, colleges and schools if they want to learn more about giftedness, 2e and neurodiversity.
If you would like to connect with Kanan about a talk or anything else take a look at her website or social media Website address: https://www.kanancoaching.com/
Social media:
www.linkedin.com/in/kanantekchandani
https://www.facebook.com/kanantek/
Or you can experience the healing medicine of a sister circle for yourself.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sistership-circle-day-sol-sister-celebration-tickets-1388612119229