My journey into offering healing spaces and attention to bodies.

In 2006 I had the privilege of working at Brenneke School of Massage for 5 years before going through the rigorous  program. 

Working at a Massage School was like no other work environment I had experienced before. It cultivtes body and energetic awareness of the space we inhabit, deep attention to self and others, clear, thoughtful, direct non violent communication, tenderness and empathy for all in our human experience. The massage culture was one if the healthiest, holistic professional and social environments I have experienced. It shaped me, held me, changed me.

I graduated in 2011 and have been practicing ever since, trying to recreate the professionalism, tenderness and care I received there.

In school I focused on deepening holding healing, neutral, grounded space with clients with curious disgnostic treatment of the complexity of our bodies and the 13 systems that live within and systems that live without. What is my client needing today, what are they telling me and what is their body showing me? 

As an employee at Brenneke I received many hours of Continiuing education offered to graduates, before even going through massage school. I became initiated into Reiki Level I and II. Certified in Orthopedic massage, working with bone and joints. Pre/Post natal massage which I fell in love with. Cranial Sacral for trauma and stress. I took any classes that had openings so curious to lesrn more. 

 I was introduced to Robert Lester the II. an amazing healer and Elder, Lodge keeper and Pipe Carrier in the Cree traditions.
I mentored with him for years. His mastery in orthopedics, energy work, chinese medicine also teachings in civility, relationship with the natural world and living in harmony with the natursl rhythms. Learning to be in right relationship as he would say with Earth, self, family, communtiy, ancestors, and healing containers. It was a great privilege and honor.  

After massage school I did a year long mentorship with Dawn Schmidt. Another master of body work, blending orthopedic, energetics, cranial sacral, visceral, myo fascial and decompression of joints. she took me on a deep dive of anatomy, subtle listening to bone,  tissue, amd organs. Again deepening the subtle potent space we hold as practitioners.

I also took classes with Brian Utting of Brian Utting school of Massage. Another world renowned School in Seattle. I learned more anatomy, treating with deep tissue massage, while holding a gentle presence. 

I was blessed to be in such a hub of Master educator's, classes, mentorships and workshops. Seattle is a leading City in Body work laws and ethics to this day. I come from a lineage I am proud of and humbly honor daily with my hands, heart, thought, words and listening.

I always say with the body I will forever be a student, I will never run out of learning.

Blessings,

Janice

My Philosophy

Our bodies are a reflection of the earth, our blood and lymphatic system the rivers and oceans, our bones the plates, stone, and trees holding the soil - our soft tissues. The magnet pull of the earth is the same motion as the tides of our cerebral spinal fluid and energetic system. Our breath the air, where does our breath stop or is unable to inhabit? All of this contributes to our Nervous system (all the sensory information to our brain which tells our muscles what to do) which affects our Endocrine system (how we think and feel). How are these functioning together? Are our waters properly moving or stagnant, are they filtering well? Do we have pain in where bone meets bone? Muscle meets vertebrae?

This is a small glimpse of how I think when working with the body. Reestablishing relationship between our waters, bone, soft tissue, breath, energetic systems, nervous system, endocrine system, and being-ness, is what excites me, makes me curious and keeps me always learning...

I want to acknowledge and honor the ancestors of the land I live and practice on that holds and nourishes me daily. The Swinomish People thrived here and lower Skagit tribes. May I honor them with my actions, words and thoughts.