Who I am is a result of where I have come from and how I have decided to synthesize my experiences.
It is no wonder that I have a natural ability to sense and locate energy patterns and bring them to balance, for this is what I grew up with. When ill, my mother often laid her hands on my stomach to relieve my discomfort and had a natural ability for movement and dance. She was a tap dancer as a young child and an accomplished thespian at St. Lawrence University. My father had an infinite capacity to love and to see things without judgement. Our holidays were filled with dance, especially Greek dancing.
My mother passed on suddenly in 1995. Desperate to ease my frustration and sadness, I turned to a counselor, who urged me to learn Reiki. In giving and receiving Reiki, I was able to recover from the devastating loss, while simultaneously embarking on a healing journey of myself and others.
I went on to become a Reiki practitioner, leading Reiki Circles, and eventually becoming a Reiki Master. I also practice yoga and have conducted rehabilitative yoga classes, facilitated Reiki home visits for the home-bound elderly, and taught movement therapy using elements from Chi Gong, Yoga, Ohashiatsu, and Asian dance techniques. In addition, I have led yoga classes at shelters for battered women.
Over the years, in a struggle with chronic headaches, digestive challenges, and at times, generally low energy, I turned to a more integrated, holistic approach to health, studying Holistic Nutrition through the Clayton College of Natural Health as well as with several acclaimed Herbalists. I also received training in Hypnosis with George Bien and certifying in Shiatsu at the Ohashi Institute in NYC.
These studies furthered my ability to relieve tension and pain. During this time, I was living in New York City and my Shiatsu practice was growing; however, after 12 years (8 years as an Editorial Manager at a major financial publishing firm) I decided to further explore health-related fields. I settled in Ithaca, NY and studied Massage Therapy at the Finger Lakes School of Massage. Eventually I enrolled at Tompkins Cortland Community College and received my license as a Registered Nurse. Please read my blog.
Putting my best foot forward was always about a desire to feel well and to project that confidence to others. Ohashiatsu gave me a new way of looking at my chronic headaches and food sensitivities, which opened up a new world of empowerment. Even my posture improved! Nursing has provided me with another invaluable medical-based tool for the body and health options, which is not only useful but sometimes very necessary. I continue to explore my energy patterns, release them, alleviate pain and tension, and overall, see the world more positively.
My life before NYC included teaching German and French and English as a second language. I still draw on these experiences while working with clients with facial, neck and upper body tension. I am also an avid dancer, spending my free time working with the interplay of all muscle groups and relating them to meridian flow for pain and stress relief, and body confidence. Thank you for reading about me. I look forward to getting to know you.