Anja Sebasio (née Veltheim)
Nov 20, 2009
By Anja Sebasio, CBP, BEd, B.S., IBA Curriculum Co-Ordinator
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the
newest member of the IBA Australasia team. Although I am a new employee, I am not in any way new to
BodyTalk; being John Velthieim's (BodyTalk's founder) daughter and Christopher
Veltheim's (CMO) older sister. I
grew up in Brisbane, Australia, spending most of my childhood playing sport,
never focusing on any one in particular. Instead, I preferred playing at least
three different sports at any given time of the year. Living 200 yards away from a sports complex allowed my love
of sport to thrive.
I remember being in years 11 and 12 and
training twice a day, in different sports, before and after school, and then
playing a game that night.
Homework was squashed into the bus rides to and from school. Weekends were filled with coaching,
playing sport and working part time (to pay for the sporting costs). I loved it. It taught me time management, kept me fit, and, in
hindsight, never allowed me the time to get into too much trouble.
Although I grew up primarily in Australia, when
I was sixteen I spent a year living with Dad and Esther in America. While there
I travelled with Dad on some of his lecture tours. At a young age Dad and
Esther had introduced all us children to Reiki already, but it was in America
that I began my training in BodyTalk, BreakThrough and MindScape.
Upon my return home, luckily, the homework I
had found time for during my school years allowed me entry into university. But at that point, even with good
school results and plenty of options I was clueless as to which course to
take. Eventually I decided on a
Bachelor of Education Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree specialising in
Human Movement Studies, my passion.
This decision provided me with a broad choice of career pathways and,
upon graduation I landed a high school teaching position in Physical Education,
Marine Science and Health with Education Queensland.
For my first teaching job I was sent to the remote
North Queensland Indigenous Community of Bamaga. If you look on a map of Australia you will see that Bamaga
is situated at the northernmost point. The school catered for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students with a non-indigenous population of 1% (usually
teacher, nurse or doctors children).
Having been brought up in the city, remote living came surprisingly easy
to me. Being absorbed in such a
beautiful and rich culture was exhilarating. The fact that we were a 2 hour plane ride or 15 hour car
drive away from shops and facilities was wonderful training in resourceful
living. Actually, one thing I
ended up learning is that as long as you a have a post office, a pub and a
convenience store, all of which we had, then you're fine.
Working in a remote community school is
challenging, yet extremely rewarding.
I was responsible for all aspects of education and taught a broad range
of subjects. I received a lot of
professional development in my time in Bamaga, specifically in Pedagogy, Social
Skilling, Alternative Education Strategies, Career pathways, Behaviour
Management and Curriculum Development.
I am excited to bring this knowledge and skill set to the IBA.
Having been privy to the evolution and development of BodyTalk first hand, from its conception, I feel I can contribute in a unique and positive way to the business. I have completed Modules 1,2,3,4(7), BreakThrough 1 and MindScape, and am a CBP (Certified BodyTalk Practitioner). I have also completed other studies in Reiki 1 and 2, Anatomy and Physiology and have Certificate III in Children's Services.
In my 8 years of living in Bamaga, I found my
partner in life, Aaron Sebasio, married him and now have three children,
Josephine (5), Douglas John (3) and Jema (1).I am currently pregnant with my forth child, due in
January. Following in my father's
footsteps, it looks as if I too will have the challenge of bringing up three
daughters and a son. My husband
Aaron is a Plant Operator and Local Council Forum Member. He is very supportive of our recent
move back to Brisbane and my new
role with the IBA. He, along with
my children, has enjoyed regular BodyTalk Access Treatments over the past few years.
I love being a mother and am happy to have
found a job that not only complements this role, but provides me with an avenue
to explore and develop my passion for consciousness based health care.