Sources of Inspiration

These are few of the sources of my inspiration for my practices in Eternal Spring Chi Kung and Somatic Massage; While knowing that I am the river of many different sources, and one post can’t possibly name them all!

I describe the form of bodywork I offer as Somatic Massage. The primary source for the techniques I use are grounded in Global Somatics Process. In 2009, I enrolled in a two-year, 1400-hour Practitioner Training Program. Our learning-cohort was myself and four other students. Our primary teacher and guide was Suzanne River, with guest teachers and apprentice teachers.

The Global Somatics Practitioner Training program was deeply informed by Body-Mind Centering®, as well as Reiki, Craniosacral Technique, Rolfing*, and Ceremony.

Through this training I learned a variety of techniques in Somatics… a process of mapping of the body — developing a keen awareness of all systems of one’s own body — with movement as a way of sensing, as well as other forms of sensing including touch/massage, breath, voice, art, and play. This experience and training me a deeper and clearer relationship of my own body, important information about being a healing the world one cell at a time.

Suzanne insisted that the place we were learning not be called a school — I studied at the Green River Dance for Global Somatics. She called it a Dance because she was there dancing, learning, and mapping beside us. I could best describe this experience as an initiation, an evolutionary boost towards being more of myself, through practices of embodiment.

*While I have learned and practiced aspects of these techniques, I am not certified nor have completed full training as a practitioner in these modalities.

I began studying this artform shortly after graduating from the Green River Dance for Global Somatics. I was looking for a practice to ground myself in. While I was in the Practitioner Training Program, I noticed how the regular rhythm and structure of having a clear focus of study and deepening my understanding of my body was helping me, in so many ways.

In the summer of 2011, I found a flyer at my front door for a class in Tai Chi. I called the number on the flyer, met with the teacher, Jeremy Hubbell. Jeremy had been studying Tai Chi for 7 years, under C.K. Chu, in New York City. He was just beginning to develop a branch of the school in Minneapolis.

I started with Eternal Spring Chi Kung, a series of exercises developed by C.K. Chu, specifically to help westerners approach the form of Tai Chi. (To learn Tai Chi requires stamina, strength, calmness of mind, alignment and breath. These skills are developed through practicing Eternal Spring Chi Kung.) I learned the Yang Style of Tai Chi.

I had heard about Tai Chi many times, and had always thought this may be a good match for me. I wanted to meditate, but had a hard time sitting still. I wanted to connect with my body while meditating. I wanted to learn how defend myself. Tai Chi has benefited me in all these ways and more. I’ve been steadily gaining a greater awareness of my body, breath, and mind. I have greater strength, flexibility, and grounding. I have methods to clear my energy and to renew it.

Four years later, I traveled to New York City to train at the C.K. Chu School of Tai Chi. I graduated as an Eternal Spring Chi Kung Instructor in February 2015.

The People’s Movement Center (2015-2018) was a healing justice center for Queer, Trans, and BIPOC communities based in Minneapolis, MN. During these 3 years, I taught weekly Eternal Spring Chi Kung Classes, offered Somatic Massage Therapy sessions, and co-coordinated PMC’s “Collective Bodywork Days” and “Wellness Weekends” as fundraisers and community-building events.

I continue to develop my practice through ongoing trainings, mentorships, and co-supervision with fellow practitioners.

In 2021 I completed a 9-month Reproductive Justice and Abdominal Massage Apprenticeship with Ihotu Ali.

Following this apprenticeship, in 2022, Ihotu Ali and I co-founded the clinic for Oshun Center for Intercultural Healing, in the Integrative Care Wing of Family Tree Clinic in Minneapolis. I supported Ihotu in creating, maintaining, and evolving her visions for Oshun Center until Summer 2025.

In Summer 2025, I co-founded Cedar Room Collective with rowan emmanuel and Anna Meyer, as a collective of BIPOC healing arts practitioners with established or emerging practices. Cedar Room is located alongside Oshun Center, in the Integrative Care Wing of Family Tree Clinic. Our goal is to share practice space, and support each other in developing our individual practices: Kochikara Healing Arts. Caracol Y Tierra Healing Arts and Consulting, and Formation Healing Arts.

My experiences as a Community Organizer, and advocate for protecting the Earth, and working for justice and equality in human society.

My experiences as an Artist.

My experiences as a Butoh Dancer, facilitator of “Moving Stories” (body-based improvisations with movement and poetry or storytelling), and authentic movement practices such as Contact Improvisation.

What I read, witness, and observe happening around me, and in the world.