My life’s passion is to hold space, listen, and validate your grit and grace, and guide you home to yourself. I have over 20 years of holistic healing experience, and serve clients of all ages and needs.
Through the modalities of Craniosacral, Yoga Therapy, and Lymphatic Drainage, all infused with Reiki, I guide you to your own healing and wholeness.
It’s important to me that you have agency over your own healing. Because of that, every session incorporates specifically tailored to you, yoga therapy exercises. NO yoga experience needed.
My story…
How it Began- My Healing Therapy Journey
My interest in craniosacral therapy began in 2006, when my son’s doctor wanted to implant tubes in his ears. Wanting to avoid this procedure, I searched out a holistic ENT doctor, who, after 4 sessions of craniosacral therapy, cleared my son’s ears and restored the natural drainage process within his ear canals. Intrigued, I tried several craniosacral sessions myself and found that it helped improve my posture immensely, relaxed my nervous system, and cultivated a sense of spaciousness within my cranium. It was time to become a student again! I earned a NJ massage license and then trained through the Upledger Institute for craniosacral and somatic emotional therapy. These experiences opened up additional doors towards energetic work. Next up, learning how to cultivate and focus my energy towards healing; resulting in becoming a Reiki Master. Later on, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), an immune system support modality, entered my sphere of awareness. MLD is a superb compliment to the modalities of craniosacral and Reiki. I am certified in MLD, using the world renowned Vodder method. Having intimate knowledge with all of these modalities, I weave together Reiki, Craniosacral, Yoga, Breathing Techniques, and MLD into all of my classes and sessions.
While I thought I was learning all of these healing skills to help others, it became apparent, over the years, that all of my work was really about healing myself. Utilizing these practices, along with receiving counseling, I began to shed light onto and heal my medical and childhood sexual abuse. I see how abuse and trauma have framed my life and it’s from this place of vulnerability and authenticity, that I continue to dedicate my life to holding space and guiding others on their path back home. I am so inspired by the courageous women and men who have shared their stories publicly and advocated for the healing of others. Serving as a Junior Circle Keeper in Hidden Waters org, a restorative justice response to the impact of childhood abuse on victims and families, taught me about the power of listening and validating through compassion.
How it Began- Yoga Therapy
I started practicing yoga to manage the ongoing challenges of congenital hip dysplasia, scoliosis, fatigue, & other symptoms ultimately diagnosed as related to 3 autoimmune disorders. With practice, Yoga began to bring healing and wholeness into many aspects of my life. My body became stronger, my heart opened, I began to reconnect with my spiritual, playful & creative Self, that I had disassociated from. Over time, I became more proficient at navigating the challenges of life. Yoga was transforming me. With gratitude, I felt called to share yoga’s gifts with others. Because of my own physical and emotional challenges, I chose to dedicate myself to therapeutic yoga; the method of adapting and tailoring yoga to an individual’s particular needs and health requirements.
Yoga for All - Medical Conditions, Disability, Trauma
Yoga Therapy has taken me on a beautiful journey alongside those with breast cancer, joint replacements, scoliosis, traumatic brain injury, mental disabilities, victims of sexual abuse and other violence, recovering from surgery, PTSD, medical harm…
Yoga Therapy is also a vital part of my volunteer work. Bringing yoga therapy expertise to numerous organizations and causes over the years, has validated for me the power of this very special approach to yoga. Two organizations stand out: JESPY House and Yoga Connections. I adore sharing yoga with the clients of JESPY House (South Orange, NJ) - a center for mentally disabled adults. For 5 years, every other Friday, our group of 20 -25, practiced together. Each client assisting me in leading postures, pranayama and meditations. I am proud and inspired by these gentle souls. A loving collaboration that brings me to tears at every visit.
Yoga Connections, is a Jewish Federation program based in Israel. Yoga Connection’s purpose was to create a self sustaining yoga program in school systems of several communities experiencing trauma due to their proximity to the the unstable and violent Gaza border. Our purpose was a “teach a person to fish” approach. Thus, I initiated contact and established a partnership between the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (Stockbridge, Mass) and the Jewish Federation whereby two Israeli school teachers attended Kripalu’s month long teacher training; they received full tuition and residency benefits from Kripalu and travel was provided by the Jewish Federation. Further, I worked with the Jewish Agency in Israel to arrange for & obtain private funding for yoga teacher trainings in Israel from US accredited yoga teachers. Of course yogis need props; I solicited donations and coordinated the purchase of props from an Israeli yoga studio, to support local yoga business. Over time, I raised money for a third Israeli to participate in Kripalu’s yoga teacher training. For the various programs, I raised a total of $30,000 and served as strategic advisor to Yoga Connections for 5 years. My role included self financed annual trips to Israel. During those trips, I joyously taught yoga within the schools ( Jewish and Arabic), lead continuing yoga education programs for Israeli yoga teachers, and met with local leaders to solidify our on the ground successes and relationships. I am delighted and proud to say that Yoga Connections met its objective in 2019 - establishing a self sustaining yoga program- and thus we handed the baton to the local communities to carry on.
Holistic Animal Care
A lover of animals, one of my teachers suggested I transfer healing skills to dogs, cats, horses and other animals. Who knew that was even possible?! Over the years, I have found that it’s not only possible, but that craniosacral, MLD and Reiki are extremely effective for animals of all kinds. Holistic pet care includes pain management, easing transition to passing, promoting healthy gut, musculoskeletal alignment, releasing anxiety, & behavior modification, among other benefits.
Trainings and Certifications
Craniosacral for Infants - Carol Gray
Craniosacral Therapy - Upledger Institute
Somato Emotional Release - Upledger Institute
Manual Lymphatic Drainage: Vodder Method. Head, Neck & Face; Pre & Post Surgery; Pain Management & Hospice; Hollywood Spa; Sports Surgery; Trained in Medical Measuring for Insurance & Garment Fitting- MLD Institute International
Licensed Massage Therapist NJ #18KT01305700
Subtle Hands - Carol Gray
Skill in Action - Michelle C. johnson
Reiki Master - Carol Anne Patterson, PT
Race & Resilience - Michelle C. Johnson & Kerri Kelly
Equine Craniosacral Therapy - Karen Partisch
Certified Yoga Therapist- International Association of Yoga Therapists
Yoga Alliance- 500 Hours
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health - 200 Hours
Yin Yoga - Corina Benner
Yoga for Breast Cancer - Camille Kittrell
Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury - Love Your Brain Foundation
Yoga for Scoliosis - Elise Browning Miller
Yoga for Osteoporosis - Sara Meeks
Restorative Breathing – Dr. Lois Laynee
Meditation - Mindful Schools Org.
Iyengar Yoga - extensive training - Theresa Rowland, Lisa Rotell, among others
ERYT - 500 Hour Level - Yoga Alliance - Certified to teach yoga teachers