About Me
Through Cultivating the Sacred I am able to offer diverse yet complimentary services and practices including yoga, meditation, herbalism, reiki and end of life doula support. With over 25 years of experience in yoga, embodiment, mindfulness, meditation, ritual, and energetics, I have cultivated a profound understanding of these interconnected practices. My journey includes an apprenticeship in herbalism and training as an End of Life Doula, allowing me to provide comprehensive support through my diverse skill set.
Having navigated many personal challenges, I have personally experienced the transformative power of these ancient wisdom practices, as well as plant medicine, loss, and grief. I create a compassionate space where individuals can access their inherent wisdom, embody their authenticity, and harness their power.
Experience, Certifications & Trainings
Social Work Experience
With over thirty years of experience in the social work field, my perspective and daily life are greatly informed by this journey. I have worked with children and families, teens, adults, and community groups in various settings, including outpatient care and partial care environments, alongside diverse practitioners and community organizations. Throughout this time, I have connected with incredible individuals and witnessed both the injustices that exist and the profound healing that can take place. I believe that everyone has access to wisdom and resilience, especially when offered a supportive environment, the right tools, and resources such as death doula services, as well as guidance from herbal practitioners and practices like yoga and mindfulness that help people reconnect with the truth of who they are.
Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation Experience
My first teachers were not asana practitioners or traditional Yoga teachers; they were Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama. Their worldviews and philosophies resonate deeply with me and have significantly influenced how I practice and share the Yoga teachings. My journey into Yoga blossomed through profound experiences with Kripalu and Ashtanga practices during a time when I felt burned out and lost. I completed my first Yoga teacher training in 2001, in the Sivananda lineage. Shortly after, the Yoga Life Society sangha was formed, and I was fortunate to connect with a direct disciple of Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga. For over a decade, I immersed myself in the philosophical teachings shared by Reverend Jaganath Carrera at our weekly satsangs. My understanding of Yoga, mindfulness, and even the interplay between Yoga and therapeutic practices to support death doula services has been shaped by many, including the beautiful individuals I've had the privilege to facilitate and share the teachings with over the past 25 years.
Certifications:
Yoga Teacher Training - Freehold Yoga Center
Yoga Meditation - Yoga Life Society
Yoga Nidra - Ohana Rising Yoga
Triaxial Yoga Therapeutics - Yoga Life Society
Yoga Energetics - Yoga Life Society
Yoga, Psychology, Science & Social Justice - Bo Forbes
Street Yoga with Mark Lilly
Therapeutic Use of Yoga for Trauma & Chronic Pain - Yoga Impact
Prison Yoga Project's foundational training
The Power of Awareness with Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield.
Reiki Level I & II
End of Life Doula with La Mort
Herbal Experience
I have been deeply connected to the natural world my whole life. As an adult, I've moved frequently, and everywhere I land, I plant seeds and cultivate a vibrant garden. It is imperative for my well-being to nurture relationships with the plants and beings outside my door. I had the privilege of studying herbalism with Katie Ryan in an 8-month immersion program, completed my Herbal Safety certification from the Chestnut School of Herbs, and took the Herbal Toolkit for End of Life course with Emily Ruff at Sage Mountain. Through these experiences, I’ve developed my skills as an herbal practitioner, which I frequently apply in my work, including my death doula services. When I can't be in the garden, my kitchen becomes my happy place. I spend countless hours crafting herbal elixirs, tinctures, oils, and teas, which deepens my relationship with the plants in the process. I also incorporate yoga and mindfulness practices to enhance my connection to nature and well-being.
I can write all the things, but truly, the best way to understand who I am, what I do, and how I can support you is to schedule a connection with me, whether in person or via Zoom. Fill out the contact form below to arrange a meeting!
