I have a passionate desire to support people in their quest to become embodied. Embodiment is a felt sense that connects to a deep relationship with our whole being, especially our physical being. My experience has been that when I am embodied, I am more aware of my connection to the source of life – the earth, animals, plants, and other human beings. My own embodiment process has led me back to my body, after many years of being emotionally absent. I did this through experience and study of modern dance, Authentic Movement, psychotherapy, and various bodywork methods.
Because I touch people’s bodies, I have a deep respect for what we all do inherently to heal and to survive harm that comes from so many places – historical, cultural, familial, societal power, prejudice, racism, religion, the effects of war, and abuse. I believe in working with people at their own pace, to process in ways that work for them, and to follow their specific movement towards healing.
I understand healing to be a both an individual and a communal process. It has been vital to my own process to acknowledge both the privileges I receive as a white person and the pain that comes from being a white person in a racist world. I have had to acknowledge my own personal struggles within my family of origin. And I am continually learning from others about how to take an active part in creating a more just, loving, and sustainable way of living that supports all of us and the earth itself.
I believe in interdependence, and I know that my liberation is tied to that of everyone else. I am grateful for all the support I have, and I feel good about offering my support and skills to those with whom I work. I strive to stay connected to myself and to receive support from others, so that I can be truly present with those with whom I work. I find that my choice to live in the culturally diverse inner city of Minneapolis allows me to thrive in so many ways. And it’s important to me to connect to nature through gardening and birdwatching, and by being familiar with the trees, plants and animals around me inside and outside the city.
The Importance of Place, Community, and Teachers
I was born in Minneapolis, with ancestral roots in Germany, the Netherlands, and the British Isles.
I appreciate Minneapolis, and continue to honor the people who were here before any of my ancestors came – the Anishinabe and Dakota people.
I acknowledge that this place has given me historical and familial connections, and it has shaped both my social and personal identities. I’m grateful for my partner, my family, and my many wonderful friends and colleagues who make up my community. I am grateful for everyone who works to make the world a better place for all living beings.
When I think of my teachers, the first people I think of are my clients. They have been my teachers on the ground, as they have allowed me to touch them and explore with them for over 35 years. They have helped me understand resiliency, vulnerability, love and care, and the importance of trust.
Here are the names of some of my other teachers: Judith Hinzie, Barbara Gosse, Milton Trager, Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen, Diane Elliot, Marion Rosen, Julia Martin, Sandra Wooten, Karen Anderson, Cameron Hough, Felipe Ortega, Dave Berger, Abi Blakeslee, Tommy Woon, Thea Lee, Alton Wasson, Daphne Lowell, Kristin Chirhart, Kevin Kortan, Susan Delattre, Luly Santangelo.