Meet Cristina

Immense pain has led me to expand to meet it; my scars have equipped me to hold space. 

I've always been a fan of "self-improvement," but my growth really started in 2017 when my first child, Maverick, died unexpectedly from birth trauma. (Mav's story is available on the blog here.) He lived for three days but was brain dead the whole time.  I leaned into my coping mechanisms I had at the time, and they served me well, until I found out six months later that my second son would be born with a significant disability, Spina Bifida.  My whole foundation shook and crumbled under me.  In 2018, I found myself constantly anxious, angry, confused, tense to the point of migraine and stomach pain, and unable to turn of my vigilance.  The once-healthy-for-me tools I had were now just fueling my now-very-unhealthy intensity.  I thought, "If I don't deal with what I'm experiencing and find a different way to be, this will create a life-threatening disease in me."  I channeled my stubbornness into finding and trying anything healing.  Over the course of about 7 years, I discovered ancient and modern ways to address the nervous system and integrate traumatic experiences.  My past was no longer something I endured and was sabotaging me, but became a source of wisdom.  I'm now ready to share some of the modalities that are leading me back to myself.  My life circumstances are still intense and challenging (infant loss, disability parenting, toddler parenting, military marriage, family of origin stuff, and usual life stressors).  I have not "arrived" in any way (just ask my husband!)  But, the peace that comes with being more aligned and balanced is accessible to me on a daily basis.  I am so grateful to get to invite others to also discover the power and peace within themselves.

I've been incredibly lucky to find teachers that have compassionately met me where I was and supported me to grow into new places.  My intention is to pay forward the grace, acceptance and love I've received.