Tell us about your massage school and other trainings:
During my first pregnancy my midwife held space for me in a way no one else ever had. After my son was born our midwife suggested our family see a craniosacral therapist. The therapist also had a way of holding space for me and for my infant, to process their birth, integrate all the physical, emotional and spiritual changes that come with having a baby, and hold the door open to BECOME a mama. Watching my baby settle more into their body as the therapist worked was extremely supportive, and I was so touched by these two women and inspired by craniosacral therapy that I new the pursuit of learning more about it would take me down the right path. So, I followed my curiosity to McKinnon Body Therapy center in Oakland, California and fell in love with all things massage and bodywork. I had no idea it was what I wanted to do until I was in it! The school emphasized how we show up with our clients and quality of touch. I mostly studied Deep Tissue and Craniosacral Therapy, and when I graduated in 2016 we moved almost immediately to Portland, Oregon where I began working in chiropractic clinics. In these environments I learned more about anatomy, body mechanics and body systems, and how to support people as they heal from injuries. I am still joyfully learning!
What bodywork are you currently studying?
I recently took an advanced prenatal massage training, and would love to work with more women through their pregnancies. Regular massages as your body changes so drastically in a short period of time can be so beneficial to mama and baby. I will also be doing a Maya Abdominal Massage training in October 2024 and am so excited to offer this to clients!
What do you want people to know about their body?
Your body is your sacred space. Your body is beautiful! Your body is amazing. Be patient and treat it with loving kindness, it does so much for you every second of the day.
What do you want people to know about health and wellness?
To achieve wholeness, we have to consider not just our physical bodies but our emotional and spiritual bodies as well. Health and wellness for these three aspects of ourselves is a lifelong journey, not a destination. There are different ways to achieve health and wellness at different stages of life, and they will likely change because we will change. Tuning into our bodies and listening to what it truly needs in the moment is a skill and listening to it is a commitment. Find practitioners that you resonate with to support you through your ever changing physical, emotional and spiritual states. You are worth that time and energy.
Self-Care Advice
Drink water. Dance. Eat whole foods. Put aside time for self reflection. Prioritize sleep. Take epson salt baths.
What is your favorite system in the body?
Right now it's the fascia system. I've just recently started trying to wrap my head around all that it does. It is a beautiful web that weaves through our tissues and organs, holds our body together and somehow communicates with our nervous system. I love having another piece to visualize when working with the body beyond muscle and bones.
Favorite thing to do in Sandpoint?
I love going for walks and learning about native plants. My family and I also enjoy the Saturday market, and the rest of the week we're usually home with our dog, cat, chickens and sheep.