ASHIRA
Ashira is a motivational speaker, investigative journalist, and the visionary creator of Ashira Active Meditation — a trauma integration modality rooted in embodied movement, ancestral wisdom, liberation psychology, and neuro-somatic healing. Her work is a lifeline for those navigating the impacts of war, displacement, and intergenerational trauma, particularly among Palestinian communities.
Ashira’s journey into healing began after a life-altering injury in 2012 that left her paralyzed with a severed spinal cord. Defying every medical prognosis, she embarked on a personal and spiritual path of recovery that not only restored her mobility but led to the creation of a groundbreaking method for trauma transformation.
Her approach blends active meditation, Sufi and Kundalini practices, sound healing, and trauma-informed movement into a dynamic, culturally rooted modality. Grounded in the principles of liberation psychology, Ashira’s work emphasizes healing as a collective, justice-centered process — reconnecting individuals not only to their bodies, but to their communities, histories, and power.
Recognized for its effectiveness in treating ADHD, PTSD, and continuous trauma in both children and adults, her method transcends clinical frameworks by restoring dignity, embodiment, and spiritual sovereignty to survivors.
Ashira’s pioneering research established a link between spinning movements and trauma therapy. Her studies revealed that spinning can safely activate the prefrontal cortex — a key area affected by trauma and neurodegeneration — offering a transformative tool for emotional regulation and nervous system restoration.
She is a certified EFT therapist, trauma coach, and sound healer, and her healing philosophy is both deeply personal and globally relevant. In 2021, she was honored by the Indian Society for Applied Behavioural Science for her contributions to societal transformation. In 2023, she was named one of Palestine’s most inspirational women by Build Palestine.
Beyond her healing practice, Ashira is known for her fearless journalism and advocacy. She has collaborated with organizations such as BBC, Internews, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, bringing global attention to Palestinian voices, stories, and resilience.
Through her initiative, Catharsis Holistic Healing, she has trained over 200 Arab-world practitioners and continues to offer free trauma support to communities in crisis — from Gaza to refugee camps, from classrooms to frontlines of resistance.
Ashira’s life is a testament to what is possible when healing is embodied, liberation is holistic, and community is sacred. Her work weaves together science, spirit, and struggle — offering not just recovery, but reclamation.
Where Olive Trees Weep is a haunting and poetic documentary that traces the deep psychological and spiritual wounds of Palestinian communities living under occupation. Featuring the personal story of Ashira Darwish alongside other voices of resilience, the film explores trauma, memory, and the enduring strength of a people rooted in ancestral wisdom and collective healing.
This trailer offers a glimpse into a landscape of heartbreak and hope — a powerful testament to survival, resistance, and the human spirit.
Support Healing, Research, and Resilience in Palestine
Your donation helps bring active meditation, trauma-informed healing, and community care to Palestinians living under occupation.
It also supports vital research into trauma-induced brain degeneration — studying how long-term exposure to violence and displacement affects the nervous system, memory, and emotional regulation. This research uplifts indigenous healing practices and informs culturally-rooted interventions for resilience and recovery.
Every offering — big or small — helps create safe spaces for Palestinian women, children, and activists to reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their power.