Heart and Soul: Will the Real Shaman Stand Up?

In a world where many religions are concerned about declining numbers of adherents and worshippers, what’s it like to be a practitioner of a belief system that is not only popular, but positively booming?

According to the national census, the numbers of British people who claim to follow Shamanism as a religion has risen twelvefold in the space of ten years. While the numbers are still low – at around 8,000 followers- the increase has put pressure on those who have followed the practice for years.

Without a clear set of beliefs and an organisation – the practice of Shamanism itself has its roots in different parts of the world – and an association with dubious wellness regimes and drug-induced ceremonies, how do experienced practitioners ensure their belief isn’t hijacked by those whose motives are not purely spiritual?

The BBC’s Amber Haque visits a British shaman to find out what Shamanism is, what it means to her and her circle of believers and why they think it should be taken seriously. Amber also looks at the extraordinary measures British shamans have to take to keep their beliefs free of scandal and prurient interest.