Hello, Friend.

I know you give so much of your energy to others, and spend your free time recovering.

I know that reality all too well. As a veteran, caregiver, seasoned health and wellness professional, and recovering “good person” I have learned the hard way that self abandonment does not bring me closer to connection.

There was a point in my life where I couldn’t connect to what lights me up. I had no idea what my passions were, let alone boundaries.

I didn’t know what my needs were and I struggled to listen to my own intuition.

I was exhausted in every way, and still felt like I wasn’t doing enough!

Still, at the end of the day it was much easier to spend all my energy taking care of others and dissociate from my internal experience. 

Though I attribute much of my dis-ease to systemic harm, my upbringing in a euro-christian environment, and military culture, I understood that I was the one who needed to take the first step in the reclamation of my vitality.

I also acknowledged that I needed help, because this previous way of living was disorienting and incredibly exhausting.

Even though I knew the work ahead wouldn’t be easy, I was motivated by a desire to feel a deep sense of belonging in my lifetime.

This is where body focused work comes in.

My name is Rachel (they/she), and I help people re-connect with their body after traumatic experience and disconnection.

We might be a good fit, if:

  • You’ve been seeking support that holds you with the same quality you provide others

  • You’ve been working diligently in talk therapy and are ready to do something with all that information, integrate a body-centered practice to move deeper, and make lasting changes

  • You’re starting to feel the effects of burnout and prefer to receive empowering, non-pathologizing support

If you’ve been searching for grounded support that tends to your mind, heart, body, and spirit - you’re in the right place.

When I feel disconnected from my physical self it affects my whole world, including how I engage with others.

What helps me recover is working with somatic practitioners, movement specialists, bodyworkers, and returning to my personal practice. This is the care I continue to take, to this day. 

As a licensed massage therapist, with over 15 years of experience in health care, I have supported hundreds of people through the re-integration process by supporting them in the building of deeper relationship to their bodies. 

I want every individual I work with to find resolution from trauma, build practices that foster connection with body, and live life knowing a sense of ease. 

If you’re ready to slow down, look inward, and be seen as your whole self so you can re-connect, I have some fantastic offerings for you.

My clients include:

  • people recovering from euro-christian culture

  • therapists, bodyworkers, and allied health care professionals

  • veterans, teachers, and caregivers

  • LGBTQIA+ identified folks

  • people who experience mental illness and/or neuro-divergence

  • folks with EDS, hyper mobility, chronic pain, and autoimmune conditions

I stand behind anti-oppressive care practices that prioritize the experience and empowerment of the individual within the systems.

As we are not made of segmented parts, I consider all aspects of the individual including mind, heart, body, and spirit.

My offerings are trauma informed, and focused through a biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual lens.

When we work together, all of who you are, is welcome.

Rachel is in profile, smiling as they work. Their short sleeved shirt is rolled up and you can see tattoos on their arm.

On a personal note…

  • I am a virgo rising, leo moon, and gemini sun. I give care through counsel, comedy, and considerate affirmation - it’s a fun time.

  • I am the oldest of 5 children aka: a pseudo parent primed for caregiver burn-out!

  • As much as I love to travel, I am most comfy at home with my wife, fur babes and our tiny farm growing food for our community. Seriously, I am a home-body through and through. I much prefer a porch hang over a crowded space.

  • I am slooowly building the skills to create functional ceramic art, which has been a humbling process to say the least!

Qualifications

    • Studied and practiced Interdisciplinary Movement and Somatic Groundwork with Kaila June

    • Over 15 years of anatomy and physiology education including formal courses

    • Numerous formal kinesiology courses based in exercise science and fitness

    • Completion of the Introductory Herbal Course with The Herbal Academy

    • First aid, CPR, and AED training through the American Red Cross

    Countless hours of continuing education courses including:

    • Orthopedic and sports massage techniques

    • Manual lymphatic drainage based in The Vodder Technique

    • Anatomy Trains & Structural Integration informed courses

    • Chest binding health and care

    • Somatic coaching

    • Neuro Affective Touch

    • Polyvagal theory

    • Pain science

    • Scar tissue care methods

    • Plant medicine

    • Fascial anatomy

    • Breathwork methods

    • Earth and elemental practices

    • Somatic practices and therapies

    • Herbalism in support of the container that is our earth body

    • Neuroscience informed techniques for bodywork and movement re-education

    • The nervous system, specifically within the relationship to our body, our engagement, and overall health

  • I am grateful for my community, teachers, and resources that have and continue to support my path of purpose.

    Along with ongoing education and training I am mentored by many practitioners in various fields.

    I believe mentorship is very important for a practitioner's development and accountability in their craft.

    I am open to sharing my mentors names upon request.

I believe the core of why I do this work is to develop supportive connections with others, earth, and myself. Stemming from my value in relationship, is a great curiosity and interest in how our bodies function and experience life on this planet. Through my ever evolving practice, I strive to consistently develop and provide quality offerings for those I have the privilege of communing with.

Lineage & Land Acknowledgment

I first want to name that all somatic and body based practices originate from various, global indigenous cultures. The majority of modalities, techniques, and tools we see in the western wellness market having been appropriated from eastern practices, many massage techniques included. With this understanding, I continually seek to learn how to best appreciate the lineages of which I practice, and benefit from, in efforts to not perpetuate harmful erasure.

My personal somatic practice began with the lineage of Hatha Yoga, 20 years ago. This practice, along with Ayurvedic principles, have deeply nourished, liberated, and developed the person I am today. I want to take space here and acknowledge that these teachings, which originate in India, have been taken out of context and widely misinterpreted from the source. In the west, this often looks like shapes and movement (asana) being centered in environments, excluding a large portion of the population. As a student, I aim to share my practice with community in accessible ways that honor this 8 limbed spiritual path and prioritize pointing others in the direction of teachers that hold this ancient practice in its full and complex form.

With deep reverence, I name the land on which I practice as the ancestral lands of the Osage people among many others who have called this region home, including the Sioux, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Cherokee, and Miami peoples. With gratitude for this land and inhabitants (past, present, and future) I prioritize supporting and applying regenerative practices where I am able, within the capacity I contain. Ultimately, I believe these lands should be given back, and cared for by the original stewards.

In addition to these statements, I am active through my practice, relationships, and connection to earth.

I welcome feedback and conversation in relation to these acknowledgements.

As I learn, grow, and evolve so too will the words on this page.