"When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself." ~Dr. Ida P Rolf
Educational Resources
Podcasts about the body, nervous system and holistic health: The Liberated Body-Brook interviews with anatomists, surgeons, manual therapists, researchers, psychologists, spiritual teachers, neuroscientists, biomechanists, embryologists, movement educators, fitness innnovators, and yoga teachers make up the diversity of people who have been on the show. https://www.liberatedbody.com/podcast The Polyvagal Podcast - Justin is obsessed with the Polyvagal Theory and applying it to everyday life - mental health, trauma, education, parenting and more.https://www.justinlmft.com/podcast Move Your DNA- Biomechanist Katy Bowman talks about alignment, health, biomechanics, and all the bits and pieces in between. http://katysays.libsyn.com/ MagaMama Podcast - Kimberly Ann Johnson is Rolfer, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Somatic Sex Educator. She talks everything Birth, Sex and Motherhood and Nervous System https://www.magamama.com/podcasts Ellen Heed and Kimberly Ann Jonson- Discussing STREAM pelvic work and radical unshaming of our sexual scripts. https://player.fm/series/1634271/197563326 Videos Irene Lyon SEP MCS- Videos about the nervous system, healing trauma and neuroplasticityhttps://www.youtube.com/user/irenegutteridge/featured Ida Rolf talks about Structural Integrationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGAvNVNtlic&t=27s Gil Hedley speaks on personal movement history, self-limitation and subsequent reclamation of embodiment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urrN5pG79Wk Books Move Your DNA by Katy Bowman-Move Your DNA explains the science behind our need for natural movement - right down to the cellular level. It examines the differences between the movements in a typical hunter - gatherer's life and the movements in our own. The New Rules of Posture: How to Sit, Stand, and Move in the Modern Worldby Mary Bond- This book approaches postural changes from the inside out. Mary Bond explains that healthy posture comes from a new sense we can learn to feel, not by training our muscles into an ideal shape. Mary contends that posture is the physical action we take to orient ourselves in relation to situations, emotions, and people; in order to improve our posture, we need to examine both our physical postural traits and the self-expression that underlies the way we sit, stand, and move. In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levine PhD -based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but rather an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions. Enriched with a coherent theoretical framework and compelling case examples, the book elegantly blends the latest findings in biology, neuroscience and body-oriented psychotherapy to show that when we bring together animal instinct and reason, we can become more whole human beings. Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bassel Van Der Kolk, MD- Van Der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Your Pelvic Health Book by Jen Torborg, PT, DPT - A guide to pelvic floor awareness, bladder health, bowel health, sexual health and changes throughout a lifetime for people with a vagina and/or uterus. Women's Anatomy of Arousal-Secret Maps to Buried Pleasure: by Sheri Winston CNM, RN, BSN, LMT -This book is toted as the most comprehensive, user-friendly, practical and uplifting book on women's sexuality ever printed. Women have a largely unknown network of structures responsible for arousal and orgasm that their owners and even most medical professionals don't know about, and this book informs us all. Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Lifeby Emily Nagoski, PHd- This book explores the cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines which tells us that the most important factor for women in creating and sustaining a fulfilling sex life, is not what you do in bed or how you do it, but how you feel about it. Which means that stress, mood, trust, and body image are not peripheral factors in a woman’s sexual wellbeing; they are central to it.
Resources in the Gorge
We are very luck to have such a diverse and exceptional group of healing professionals here in the Columbia River Gorge. As a practitioner, I love working as a member of professional team of care givers. Here is a list of a few of the wonderful practitioners I concider part of my referral network.
Physical Therapy Dana Reid DPT-Thrive Kinematics- WhileDana treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions, her specialty is in pelvic health for all genders. Specializing in pelvic health allows her to look at the body and pain through a unique lens. Her belief is that the pelvis is a keystone for body structure and function. This is not only in relation to the lower body, but for whole body alignment, activation, and grounding.http://thrivekinematics.com/ Holly Hamilton DPT LMT- Healing Pathway-Holistic Physical Therapy and Massage- Hollyprovides a personalized approach to Holistic Physical Therapy and Integrative Bodywork. Whether you are seeking a greater understanding of a new or chronic ailment, desire a gentle approach to structural alignment along with specific deep facial release and massage, or want to learn customized movement patterns (exercises) to help you create better balance in your body. http://healingpathway.org/ Lauren Bryan, PT, DPT, Women’s Health Specialist, Certified Spanish Translator- Lauren specializes in both orthopedics and women’s health physical therapy. She has taken coursework through the North American Institute of Manual Therapy for diagnoses and treatment of the spine, and draws on a wide variety of manual therapy techniques to treat joint and soft tissue restrictions throughout the body. In addition to continuing education completed in orthopedics and women’s health, Lauren completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training program in Ojai, California in 2015. She enjoys integrating the breath, mind, and body practices from her yoga studies into physical therapy treatments. http://www.columbiagorgept.com/about-us/staff-profiles/lauren-bryan-pt/ Movement Specialists Sara Mains- 5Rhythms workshops, classes and private sessionshttps://www.saramains.com/ Lora Munn- Private or Group Yoga, Sound Healing, Vaginal Steamings and Doula Services https://www.loramunnyoga.com/ Melissa Vovou Certified Pilates Instructor, Reiki Master, Kaatsu Training Specialist, and Certified Massage Therapist http://melissaspilatesclasses.com/ Crystal Borup Private and group yoga and meditation, 200 RYT yoga training http://lovelife.yoga/crystal-borup/
Massage Therapy Abby Kenny LMT-Subliminal Bliss-Massage, Energetic Bodywork & Women's Abdominal Massage www.abbykenny.com503-360-6953 Becka Parker LMT-Gorge Body Therapy-Becka's client-centered approach focuses on educating clients about the anatomy, physiology, and self-care of their entire being to reach an ideal state of wellness. Through understanding the human anatomy and each individual's needs, Becka is dedicated to helping clients reach their ultimate health goals with education, encouragement and compassion. www.gorgebodytherapy.com541-241-6350 Acupuncture Rachel Moore Beitler LAc-5 Element Acupuncture-Rachel is committed to offering compassionate care to her community. Her priority is meeting my clients where they are at on their individual journey, to support them with their unique road back to balance. www.rachel5element.com541-806-1154 Inez Coppola LAc -Acpuncture, Bodywork, Energy work, Sound healing, Flower and Stone essences, and more https://www.inezcoppola.com/ Monica Rudestam LAc, MSOM Acupuncture, Biodynamic Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Yoga and Qigong As a practitioner, Monica strives to understand the uniqueness of the individual's constitution and his or her personal blocks to health. She combines her acupuncture training, herbal therapy, and hands-on physical and energetic modalities in order to bring awareness to the physical and energetic blocks in the body that inhibit reaching our full potential. www.monicarudestam.com
Chiropractic Care Amy Leslie D.C.- Down to Earth Chiropractic Dr. Amy is a holistic chiropractor specializing in prenatal and postpartum care as well as sports medicine. 116 3rd St. Suite 215 Hood River, OR 97031 971-258-1802 https://www.amylesliedc.com/ Hood River Chiropractic & Wellness-Michelle Gerbi D.C.-Dr. Gerbi has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education focusing on chronic pelvic pain, pregnancy, postpartum and pediatric specific chiropractic care. 541-406-0849http://www.hoodriverchiropractic.com/
Professional Counseling and Therapy Anya Dassel, MS, LPC- Anya is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has 15 plus years supporting a variety of clients including children, adolescents, families/ parents and single, separated and married adults. https://www.dasseltherapy.com/ Nicole Ford, LCSW- Nicole is a Heart Centered Mental Health Therapist & Coach based out of Hood River. She has experience working with clients of all ages and can help with a wide range of issues affecting your life. Nicole has expertise in Depression, Anxiety, Autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), ADHD, and PTSD/Trauma.https://www.nicolefordtherapy.com/ Scott Rower PhD Psychotherapy & Counseling for Adults- Expert Help for Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem & Relationship Problems. https://scottrowerphd.com/ Therapy in the Gorge- Your Source for Professional Counseling and Therapy in The Columbia River Gorge. http://www.therapyinthegorge.com/ Midwifery Services Hearth and Home Midwifery Hearth and Home Midwifery is a team of two Certified Professional Midwives who are licensed to attend home births in Oregon and Washington. Sarah McClure and Charli Zarosinski are experienced providers in natural, holistic care for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They work as a team of two and believe that they provide their clients with the most thorough, individualized, and meaningful care by having a relationship with each person they serve.https://hearthandhomemidwifery.com/