I began my training at the green mountain massage school with andrea altman in 2015 with a 630 hour course. this beautiful year long program covered reflexology, swedish, deep tissue, and lymphatic drainage techniques, thai yoga massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, deep study of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology & pathology, as well as the ethics of holding a massage practice. 

I have been attuned for reiki I and II through sierra mcfeeters of the indigenous roots institute. usui reiki is a japanese energy healing technique to offer harmonizing universal life force energy through the hands to ones self or to another being who is receiving. I went through the level I attunement in 2016 and held this as a personal self healing practice until 2021, when I went to sierra for level II. the acute presence and connection experienced during reiki can be medicinal for physical and energetic ailments.

in the summer of 2021, I began my study of lomi lomi, a hawaiian massage modality with kumu harry uhane jim at vermont school of holistic bodywork. harry is such a brilliant and wise teacher and I feel blessed to be learning from him in this life time. the training I received from harry was focused on the strokes & techniques of creating space in the joints, bonewashing, breathwork, and energy healing. I hope to continue on this path of learning through vermont holistic bodywork.

In 2017 I studied ayurvedic vishesh & abhyanga massage with hilary garivaltis of the kripalu institute. this course built on the understanding of ayurveda that I had gained through my studies at johnson state college with surinda cavanagh. ayurveda means science of life, and is one of the oldest systems of traditional medicine known. ayurvedic bodywork holds awareness of the human energy field as known through the nadis (energy meridians), marma (vital points), & 7 chakras. the goal of vishesh is to increase the flow of prana (vital energy) through the nadis. repetitive flowing strokes and balancing herbal oils aid prana to flow through the three central nadis: sushumna, ida, & pingala, to promote the rising of kundalini energy. the kundalini rising is the ayurvedic path to enlightenment. 

I began the journey of learning to hold trauma-informed space through abbi jaffe & amanda franz of the everything space in 2019. on an individual, intergenerational, & societal level, traumas effects are present in many of our lives. the experience of moving through the world from place to place can be greatly impacted by trauma, and I seek to create safe space for anyone who comes through my door. this work is ongoing. though I am a bodyworker and in no way a therapist or mental health worker, I do believe that bodywork can be profoundly supportive to people who are going through emotional processes. the body holds deep remembrance, and I know that bodywork interacts with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual knowings. I aim to create a sanctuary where my clients feel safe to release. I am committed to making my work accessible to folks of all income levels and backgrounds, as well as continuing to educate myself on how to be an ally to folks whose lives are impacted by trauma. this ideology also applies to the impact on the flow of resources through the world and how that relates to social & environmental justice. my reciprocity fund channels to organizations that support healing in the world and give back toward the roots of the teachings I have received.  

my relationship with plant medicines was deepened by the flower essence workshop I did with diana gonsalves hansen of dreaming in the hollow in 2018. I learned about dowsing from lisa mccrory of earthwise farm & forest at a workshop in 2016. dowsing is a practice that embodies my intuition & deeper perception, allowing me to ask plants & spirits of the land for guidance in crafting flower essences.

in 2023 I deepened my study of yoga in the 200 hour yoga teacher training at Laughing River Yoga with Emily Garrett and Christina Fornaciari. here I received guidance on yogic philosophy and history, breath & energy work techniques (pranayama), physical postures (asana), & the yogic understanding of the human energy body.