​​To hold a space of healing, presence, and safety for our kids​
the deep healing starts with us​

BACKGROUND
 Certifications, Study & Experience

As I’ve moved through this life, I’ve had the honor of walking a path that has put me with people of all walks of life.  At times, it felt a little wandering and random, however as I look back now it all makes sense and has brought me to this moment where it all beautifully comes together.

I'm grateful to have worked with people of all ages to help restore a sense of connection and peace to their daily lives as a teacher, coach, mentor, and what has been defined by others as a ministry of accompaniment.   The conversations and interactions I've had with other humans, nature, and especially my kids often feel as my most valuable "credentials."   

As a life-long learner, I have gathered many certifications, studied various methods and modalities, and created opportunities to expand and share along the way.  Here are a few of those areas of study and experience.

EDUCATION/ TRAININGS/ CERTIFICATIONS
  • Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, 2003
  • B. A. Marquette University, Public Relations, 1993
  • Hope College,  1988-1989 and 1990-1991
 
  • ​Certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, Shakti Ayurveda School, Katie Silcox and faculty,  2023
  • 3 plus year study, practice, and mentorship with Kimberly Ann Johnson to understand the female nervous system, current/on-going
  • Certified MotherCircle Facilitator with Kimberly Ann Johnson and Jessica Connolly, anticipated certification July 2023
  • Vagina Steaming Practitioner, Keli Garza at Steamy Chick, (currently enrolled in study)
  • Breathwork 4-week Intensive with Our Breath Collective, Reis Paulo and Sam Whiting, 2021
  • Reiki Level 1 (2010) and Level 2, 2020
  • Access Consciousness Bars Practitioner and Facilitator, 2016-2020
  • Yoga Health Coaching Program with Cate Stillman, 2014 - 2015
  • Living Ayurveda 9-month Certificate, 2014
  • Certified Aerial Yoga Instructor Training,  Transcend Wellness and Yoga with Kelly Kuder,  2014
  • Core Functional Fitness™  Level 2 Advanced Certification with Hope Zvara, 2013
  • Healthier Hormones Course with Dr. Claudia Welch and Cate Stillman, 2012 & 2013
  • Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Rhonda Kantor: Global Yoga and Wellness Center, 2011
  • Various workshops and trainings in Pranayama, Yin and Restorative Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Ayurveda
  • 200- Hour Registered Yoga Teacher Training with Poonam Gupta, Yoga Gyan Jyoti, 2011

​  
EXPERIENCE
  • Creator of Discover Your Center, LLC,  2014- present
  • Co-founder, co-owner,  and Instructor, YogaRootsRacine, Racine, Wisconsin 2012-2014
  • Yoga Instructor 2010 - present
    • Your Yoga Lifestyle, YogaRootsRacine, SC Johnson Company, Pantajali's Place, Blue Point Yoga, online and private classes and workshops.
  • Grant Recipient of Opening the Doors of Yoga Grant through OmTown Yogis, Milwaukee, WI in 2014 to teach a year of classes to clients of the Community ActionNetwork's Greater Racine Collaborative for healthy Birth outcomes, an organization with a passionate mission to lower the infant mortality rate in Racine/Kenosha counties.  Classes were held for stress relief for fathers, pre-natal/post-natal for mothers, mom and baby connections, and couples yoga..
  • Resource creator for the National Center for Child Traumatic Stress Network
  • Co-facilitator of post adoption curriculum through the Center for Child and Family Health in Durham, NC

***Earlier work experiences have offered many opportunities  in the areas of healing, teaching, and facilitation that influence my current healing and teaching practice.  Those experiences include:
  • Team Leader of San Diego Youth and Community Services Storefront Shelter for Youth
  • ESL Teacher
  • Two years of service as a Young Adult Volunteer in Mission with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Hollywood, CA and Argentina
  • Creator and Coordinator of the Religion & Labor Network of Austin
  • Pottery Instructor
  • Coordinator for Montessori-based church school curriculum
  • Community Organizer
  • Internship with NBC Studios Media Relations supporting shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, Friday Night Videos, and more.
  • Countless interactions over years of service in the retail and restaurant industry

For whom do I this personal and professional work and why?
​

These 3 amazing human beings (left and center photos) call me "mom".  They inspire what I do and have been three of my greatest teachers.  They are now radiant and grounded teens (14-19) - still amazing and inspiring!  

My beautiful mother (right photo-in the hammock with me and my daughter)  birthed me into the world and offered so much love and a safe home in the best ways she knew how and I am so grateful.  She loved wholeheartedly as a grandmother too. This photo was taken on her last solo trip to visit us (2016), where signs of memory loss became very evident. It's been a long road of learning how to hold grief, loss, and joy at the same moment and body ever since.   I've learned it's a practice like anything else.  And it has helped  not to do it in isolation.  My mother passed away just after sunset August, 2023.  She is with me in this work I do. 

According to Ayurveda and other wisdom traditions, as well as emerging science,  we carry 5-7 generations in our DNA.  Ayurveda also teaches that we inherit our mother’s nervous system and her undigested thoughts and experiences - her unfulfilled longings. (wow, right?!)  

If your mother’s nervous system isn't something you necessarily want to emulate, it's ok.  We don’t have to blame and shame our mothers or ourselves. Most mothers haven't had the support they truly needed for so many generations.  Our culture doesn't center the health and wellness of mothers and see how it's linked to the health of our children, our families, communities, and the planet either.

What does this really mean?   Well, we do inherit some things, but we are also responsible for ourselves and claiming, reclaiming, emulating our own health, power, and freedom. 

The healing starts with us and reaches into generations past and future.   We are not meant to so this alone, yet parts of it are personal. 
I take responsibility for my own inner work and deep healing so that my children and grandchildren don't have to do it for me.
As a mother through adoption, I take responsibility also for holding a space of possibility that we might be able to heal a motherline that is not our own through rituals rooted in ancient women's wisdom.
 I lean and live into possibilities even thought I realize I many not see this and know for certain in this lifetime.  But, it is truth to me and worth it. 

What about you?
For the sake of whom will you choose to prioritize radical care and  embodied healing for yourself?  I'd love to know and witness you in that sacred work. 
Reach out and let me or schedule a Discovery Call with me.

​I'm here ready to do the work and co-create with others. 


​
May you know you are inherently whole and always enough.  
You can find free resources I share on Facebook and YouTube as well. 
I would love to hear from you.  
Let's connect!