The “official” bio… education, experience and all that… is below. But first let me share something personal with you.
I am a straddler. Through much of my adult life, it seems I often find myself bridging between the poles of contrasting places, lifestyles, notions and values. A prime example: over ten years ago I sold my conventional house on a 40’ suburban lot in favour of an off-grid homestead surrounded by 50 acres of forest. Friends in the ‘burbs think I’m pretty rustic and woodsy, but my rural neighbours no doubt see me as quite urban and perhaps even a “citiot”. You know, in the same day you might find me playing singing bowls and doing yoga practice, then later wielding an axe and splitting firewood. I’ve done hands-on courses like chainsaw operator and master naturalist but also attended labyrinth facilitator training and workshops on core shamanism. I’m a detail person, but I look for the big picture. I do practical things with my hands, and esoteric things with my mind. I consider myself spiritual and connected with source but that doesn’t preclude enjoying a beer or glass of decent wine ;-) All-in-all I live by my heart, but on a day-to-day basis it is moderated by my head (sometimes too much, sometimes not enough!).
Getting the picture yet? Let me tell you, having one foot here, one foot there, but rarely both firmly planted in the same spot can feel like both a blessing and a curse. It opens interesting worlds, thoughts, experiences, feelings. But you never feel fully rooted in one or the other. I often refer to the notion of “left brain” (i.e., practical, detail, linear, realistic) people and “right brain” (i.e., conceptual, intuitive, possibilities, creative) people. At the ends of that spectrum, it’s the difference between those we describe as “feet on the ground” and those we say are “out there”. Well I’m a bit of both, and that is my gift to share with you.
The services I provide through SoulTail can be useful for pretty much anyone. But I believe that my particular slant on things, and my unique way of being and doing, are especially helpful to the “left brain” folks who want to stretch beyond themselves but still stay rooted, and to the “right brain” people who want to connect with some practical application and not simply be a lost pedestrian in the esoteric world.
Bio – Neil Baldwin
Neil combines graduate-level education, professional training, and almost three decades experience as a Counsellor with his longstanding fascination for the natural world to provide a unique approach to helping and personal development, which balances esoteric with pragmatic, and looks both within and beyond the individual.
Neil holds a B.Sc. Hons. (Psychology), and M.Ed. (Counselling), both from University of Toronto. He was granted the Canadian Certified Counsellor designation in 1991 by the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and until retiring in 2018 maintained it without lapse in accordance with CCPA’s standards of professional conduct and continuing education. He is a Certified Personality Dimensions™ Facilitator and has extensive experience using a variety of psychometric assessments, including Myers-Briggs Type Indicator™.
Neil worked at Sheridan College in Oakville as a Counsellor for over 25 years, first providing general academic, personal and career counselling and then specializing in life and career counselling. Along with 8 years operating a part-time private practice in career counselling, Neil has provided guidance to 10,000+ clients of every possible age, life stage, and background.
Following a 16 month part-time program, Neil earned a Certificate in Teaching Hatha Yoga, graduating with High Honours from Sheridan College, and has continued his yoga journey with a variety of trainings including 50-hour Bhakti Yoga Teacher Training at Deva Tree School of Yoga and 10-hour Advanced Pranayama & Physiology of Breath Teacher Training through Awakened Spirit Yoga School. Neil has been a Yoga Alliance Registered (RYT-200) teacher since July 2018.
Broadening his learning experience, Neil completed the Ontario Master Naturalist program at Lakehead University, and has completed Labyrinth Facilitator Training by Veriditas in San Francisco.
Neil weaves all this life and work experience into a distinctive perspective that engages mind, body and spirit in an eclectic yet practical way.
™ Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and MBTI are registered trademarks of The Myers & Briggs Foundation in the United States and other countries. Personality Dimensions is a registered trademark of Career/LifeSkills Resources Inc.
Soul Trail 