My personal shamanic journey began approximately 30 years ago when I dreamt one night that I became a magnificent, white snowy owl of tremendous proportions, flying high over the Earth, wing to wing with a sister owl. I awoke with a sense of deep peace. Two weeks earlier I had severely herniated my lumbar-sacral disc; now I was in bed, not able to work, and in great pain. After hearing about m y dream, a dear friend suggested I visit a shamanic practitioner—maybe they could help me shed light on the dream’s meaning in relation to the physical pain I was experiencing.
The work we did together was extraordinary. I learned to journey to the spirit world, and over time connected with power animals and spirit guides. My back healed quickly, but most importantly, I had finally connected with the spirit world in a way that felt like home.
Since those initial journeys, I have trained with Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman through the Foundation of Shamanic Studies. I completed their 3-year advanced intensive. Additionally, I have studied and traveled with Joan Halifax and John Perkins, learning basic shamanic ways of the Lacandon of Mexico, the Shuar of the Ecuadorian rainforest, and Andean healers, as well.
I am also trained as a reiki master and an occupational therapist.
I often work in collaboration with local psychotherapists and other health professionals.
All along the way I’ve asked Spirit to guide me in using these healing techniques, and the unequivocal answer has always been “help others.” I had faith, and let go of expectations and ego. With time, friends, and then others, learned of me by word of mouth, and began coming to me for spiritual help. Dancing Drum Healing Arts evolved, and is both my healing practice and my spiritual home.
I am deeply honored to do this work in the world.
And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit and the shape of all shapes as they must all live together as one being.