What is Holistic? My Healing Journey

What’s holistic? If you asked me this 7 years ago, I’d answer “Heck if I know.”

Now I know holistic living is acceptance of all parts of myself, embodiment of highest regard towards all, and living in right relationship with all beings including nature.

My healing journey started back in 2017.  A time when my personal and professional life was a hot mess. Emotional baggage from my childhood and young adulthood was wreaking havoc in all areas of my life. I was on medication to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression and ADD. I was dependent on Adderall to get me through the day. Nothing was working. I took an enzyme test to differentiate which medications metabolize best with my body. The results revealed that every medication I have ever taken to manage depression and stabilize my mood was listed as noncompatible. This was my sign that my body did not want or need medication. I quit everything, including birth control. My husband and I packed our bags and we moved halfway across the country to Austin, Texas.

Of course, my issues followed, but the situation was different. Austin has a vibrant alternative healing community and I was out exploring and learning in various support groups. The common theme in the groups: trauma. That’s when I first became aware of my own trauma. My past was layered with unprocessed traumatic experiences starting from preverbal childhood, the womb even. The pain of my ancestors. I had not learned how to self regulate and process in a healthy manner. Instead, I learned to mask and push through. I suffered and managed my pain with substance abuse and toxic behavior.  I was diagnosed with Complex-PTSD and the peeling of the onion began.

• I had to learn to be with my emotions.

• To sit and observe without judgement.

• To FEEL my emotions.

• I had to learn to rewire my brain and internal dialogue.

• Change the old stories.

• Release old judgments and criticism. Release the shame.

• I had to learn how to practice compassion and forgiveness.

• How to self regulate in a way that supports my wellbeing.

• Create boundaries.

• Be in-tune with my body and its needs.

• Create loving and supportive relationships.

• I received bodywork. Lots and lots of bodywork (massage therapy, acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, and Zero Balancing). Other mentionable therapies I deep dived: Family Constellations, EMDR, ACIM, Plant medicine & Ceremony.

It has been a wild ride, and I came through finding strength in softness. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

My introduction to a holistic way of being was to become aware, nourish and love all parts of myself: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

As I continued to dive into alternative healing and explore spiritual practices (yoga, Ayurveda and shamanism), my understanding of holistic spiraled outward. Now it includes living in right relationship with all beings, living in tune with Mother Nature (her rhythms and cycles), and living harmoniously and in balance.

Zero Balancing as a bodywork has rooted these principles in my practice. It’s simply about balance in being, functioning from the core self and living in alignment with heaven and earth.

Today, I’m delighted to offer the same tools that had helped on my journey to self-realization to others seeking. There is more than one way up the mountain and if bodywork and inner work appeal to you, then I’m here for you along the way.

Come and meet me at the table.

May you feel safe.

May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you live in peace.