My Story

There is no doubt my approach to healing and facilitation have been shaped by my own life experiences and experiments.

I lived in a yoga center, Kripalu, for 10 years beginning in 1983, age 20. I worked as a manager and learned the organizational side of running a large holistic program center. At Kripalu I gained holistic lifestyle practices that continue to be the foundation of my life today including yoga, pranayama (breathing),  meditation, healthy diet, self-care practices and listening to my heart.

As a passionate truth-seeker, I have firsthand experience with many approaches to personal development, healing and spirituality including workshops, retreats, psychotherapy, leadership trainings, wilderness immersions, medicine journies, ecstatic dance and world travel.

I have also learned a lot from my relationships including step-parenting 3 wonderful kids who have grown up into creative, generous and loving adults.

It’s been a long road for me to find inner peace. In spite of my disciplined commitment to personal growth, I continued to struggle with anxiety, depression, shame and imposter syndrome. It was not until my mid 50’s that I finally came to understand that I was living symptoms of PTSD. 

Thanks to recent research (e.g Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score or many of Gabor Mate’s Youtubes) it is now understood that negligent parenting (whether it be due to addiction, absence or mental health issues) imprints a child’s nervous system with coping patterns to their environment.

For instance, many of us with developmental trauma have learned to dissociate as a coping strategy. The stength in this is that we often have a strong connection to Spirit as it is where we went for solace. The downside is that the lack of safety we felt in our developing years has us habitually dissociating when life and people get challenging (which they do all the time!).

Although this understanding has helped me tremendously, it is still a daily practice to meditate, to do the self-care I need to stay balanced and to catch myself when I trigger. My respect goes to those of us who embrace our human vulnerablity and tap into as a strength.

Another important chapter of my life focused on cultural sensitivity and diversity. I learned just how much I don’t know! I have come to value conversations with people who are different from me, and the ways we can grow each other, if we are willing to listen.

I love being with friends, nature, gardens, local organic food and the simpler things in life. I lived in Santa Fe, NM for 27 years and have recently moved north to Taos. I am loving this small mountain town rich in cutlure, Spirit and good people. I take daily hikes in the mountains with my dog Tiba.

Given my own story and 40 years in personal development spaces, I can be synical of anyone who sells their service or product as a magic bullet for healing or enlightenment.

I have come to respect an integrative, holistic approach that recognizes complexity and seeks to understand underlying issues. These includes physical & hormonal health, imprinting and trauma from early childhood and where there is a disconnect between one’s current circumstances and where you want to be in life.