I have had many jobs throughout my life time, from park ranger to landscaper to flight attendant, but once I started studying massage in 1996, my heart knew I had found what I was called to do. I graduated with honors from The Ohio College of Massotherapy in Akron Ohio and began my career working in a manual based, alternative physical therapy practice. This atmosphere was extremely educational as I was able to see first hand a multitude of muscular based maladies and approach them with hands on healing techniques.
In this clinic we dealt with headaches, neck and shoulder pain, arm and wrist pain, back, pelvic and hip pain, knee, ankle and foot pain. Everyone that entered into the clinic taught me valuable lessons on how injuries and pain heal. It became very evident that people can and will heal if given the proper conditions. These conditions include treating not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. Treat the “whole” being and the patient can then become the healer and heal themselves.That is still my philosophy today.
Now I concentrate my efforts on working with women, helping them to be in a body that is healthy, vibrant and whole. Women often neglect their needs, putting family, job, house hold duties and friends first. There is little time left in the day to tend to their own well-being. Stress and daily demands of every day life begin to take its toll on their health both physically and emotionally. The saying is true that unless you take care of yourself first, you will not be good at taking care of anyone else. Taking care of your health and well-being is the most loving action you can do for your self as well as others.
How do I take care of myself? Nature plays a major role in my life to keep me balanced and healthy. I believe that nature helps us open our hearts to find our connection to our authentic self. Being outdoors and marveling at the beauty of the universe fills me with awe and gratitude. From gardening to hiking and observing wildlife, to watching colorful sunsets and starry night-lit skies, nature grounds me and soothes my soul. There is nothing like sitting around an outdoor fire pit with a crackling fire to reduce my stress and bring me back to stillness. Being mindful of my breath is another way that keeps me balanced and calm. Taking time for slow deep diaphragmatic (belly) breaths reduces physical tension and stress in the body. This natural, whole body breathing quiets the mind chatter and encourages the nervous system to relax. As a result, there is a heightened level of sensory awareness and inner clarity. I share this pattern of breathing with my clients as part of their massage. How fortunate for us all that conscious breathing has such a powerful impact on the body’s ability to heal and restore wholeness! At The Center for the Healing Arts I offer: Swedish Massage for general stress relief, Chi Nei Tsang, Chronic Pelvic Pain Bodywork and Massage.
“I am thrilled to now be able to offer Quantum Indigo Biofeedback to all my clients and friends. It is an amazing therapy that will help with a lot of difficult chronic issues.”