Lead faculty
Valeria Mendoza O'Rourke
Lead Faculty — Tantric & Somatic Practices
Originally from Peru, Valeria Mendoza O'Rourke brings together her Latin American heritage, extensive personal study of tantric traditions and her life in Ireland to create a grounded and contemporary approach to embodied practice.
Valeria's interest in tantra began in Peru, where she was introduced to traditional practices exploring the relationship between breath, presence, conscious touch and the body. What began as a personal exploration developed into a deeper commitment to studying tantric philosophy and embodied practices.
It was also in Peru that Valeria met her husband, Patrick O'Rourke. Their relationship eventually brought her to Ireland, where they settled in County Wicklow and began their life together.
Living between two cultures has shaped Valeria's approach to teaching. She combines the warmth and relational nature of her Peruvian background with a grounded Irish sensibility, creating an environment that is welcoming, respectful and carefully held.
Her work centres on conscious touch, somatic awareness, breathwork, embodiment and the development of a deeper mind–body connection. She is particularly interested in helping people become more present in their bodies and more aware of sensation, boundaries, communication and connection.
For Valeria, tantric practice is not simply about learning techniques. It is about developing presence and awareness — learning to listen to the body, communicate clearly and approach touch and intimacy with greater consciousness.
Her teaching brings traditional tantric principles into conversation with contemporary somatic approaches, offering participants a practical and accessible way to explore embodiment while respecting individual boundaries and personal experience.
Specialisms
- Tantric Bodywork & Somatic Awareness
- Traditional Tantric Philosophy & Practice
- Conscious Touch & Presence
- Breathwork & Embodiment
- Mind–Body Awareness
- Energy Awareness & Somatic Release
- Intimacy, Communication & Boundaries
- Mindful Partner Practices
Training & Practice
- Advanced Training in Tantric & Somatic Bodywork
- Practitioner Training in Tantric Practices
- Training in Somatic Embodiment & Body Awareness
- Advanced Training in Conscious Touch
- Breathwork & Mindfulness Training
- Study of Tantric Philosophy, Meditation & Embodied Practice
Teaching Philosophy
Valeria believes that embodied learning should be approached with presence, consent, curiosity and respect. Her classes encourage participants to slow down, become more attentive to their own physical experience and develop greater awareness of how breath, movement and touch can influence connection.
She places particular importance on clear communication and personal boundaries, creating a learning environment where participants can explore at their own pace and develop confidence in their own embodied experience.
Drawing from traditional tantric principles while remaining relevant to contemporary life, Valeria's teaching is designed to make embodied practice approachable, meaningful and practical. Her aim is not simply to teach a collection of techniques, but to help practitioners develop the awareness and confidence to bring greater presence into their relationships, their bodies and their everyday lives.