Florence Gaia, RN, M.Ed. - Personal Wellness Nurse
A Personal Journey of Awakening....How do we waken when we are living in a fog waiting for a spark of life? What is the magic that disperses that fog so we SEE things are not going to change until WE take action? What is the final straw that breaks our mind open to do what we thought impossible ?
Over the years a vague discontent in my marriage grew until I could no longer push it away or ignore it. I was hungry for a deep relationship, with some passion, sensitivity, open-hearted soul communication, sharing evolving wisdom. Yet I was dead-ended in a transactional relationship, both of us good at our responsibilities but in a fossilized state of mediocrity, without a heart-soul connection, continually frustrated, my true heart voice unheard. Until the "light dawned on Marblehead", that sudden realization of the obvious..... THIS is NOT ever going to change........
Initiating divorce was an upheaval, a crisis of identity and faith, causing depression and suicidal thoughts as I challenged my own ideals and my religious upbringing. I kept listening to my hard truth, getting relief and insight from my therapist, daring to speak what my soul was crying out. Yes, facing an unknown future that was NOT my life plan. Once on my own the initial angst relieved, the soul question deepened “Who am I when I'm not a wife or mother?" The answer was not in a role but in something beyond words, an experience of you.
My fiercest battles were with my inner critic. The old voice in my head finely tuned and focused on self-critiquing and self-judgement vs being a beloved woman of the Great Mystery of creative life, grounded in my original goodness and blessing. What a revolutionary concept to live. Each major step forward was preceded with the inner critic protesting, giving me a severe judgement, even condemnation. Until I said “STOP! This is abusive, not helpful.” and gave it another job as my Defender. Now instead of being a Prosecutor pointing an accusing finger, continuously finding fault, it stood by my side defending me. This empowerment process I now teach my clients.
I over-rode the inner critic daring to travel to Montana for a life changing Native American spirituality camp with Brooke Medicine Eagle.. She led us in drumming, singing, walking the land, a rite of passage for menopause, sweat lodges & vision quest. Native American spirituality is inclusive of the sacred feminine (Mother Earth), a spiritual geometry of all of creation standing in the Circle of Life. It nourishes me deeply to this day.
My Spirit gently propelled me on a search finding my true home and a whole new life in the Colorado mountains of Durango. I discovered a dance studio in Albuquerque where I was invited to learn competitive ballroom dancing - something beyond any dreams! I studied a form of Shamanic journeying in New Mexico that opened me to discover remarkable animal spirit guides that comforted me, bringing insight, true support and innerg guidance. In one journey the black stallion returned from my childhood books to rescue me from a painful childhood memory. Each animal spirit grounded me in my Truth.
I then trained in Transformational Breath™ which helped release angst, fear, anger, sadness trapped in my body. Once again I dove deep without retelling old stories, past resistance to discover a deep peace of mind & heart in who I am, where I am going. Both these healing modalities became an integral part of my personal practice and my professional expertise. Both have supported me in living with greater inner alignment with my soul guiding me through life. Growth propels more growth, freedom and inner peace. Nothing less will suffice.
A Personal Journey of Awakening....How do we waken when we are living in a fog waiting for a spark of life? What is the magic that disperses that fog so we SEE things are not going to change until WE take action? What is the final straw that breaks our mind open to do what we thought impossible ?
Over the years a vague discontent in my marriage grew until I could no longer push it away or ignore it. I was hungry for a deep relationship, with some passion, sensitivity, open-hearted soul communication, sharing evolving wisdom. Yet I was dead-ended in a transactional relationship, both of us good at our responsibilities but in a fossilized state of mediocrity, without a heart-soul connection, continually frustrated, my true heart voice unheard. Until the "light dawned on Marblehead", that sudden realization of the obvious..... THIS is NOT ever going to change........
Initiating divorce was an upheaval, a crisis of identity and faith, causing depression and suicidal thoughts as I challenged my own ideals and my religious upbringing. I kept listening to my hard truth, getting relief and insight from my therapist, daring to speak what my soul was crying out. Yes, facing an unknown future that was NOT my life plan. Once on my own the initial angst relieved, the soul question deepened “Who am I when I'm not a wife or mother?" The answer was not in a role but in something beyond words, an experience of you.
My fiercest battles were with my inner critic. The old voice in my head finely tuned and focused on self-critiquing and self-judgement vs being a beloved woman of the Great Mystery of creative life, grounded in my original goodness and blessing. What a revolutionary concept to live. Each major step forward was preceded with the inner critic protesting, giving me a severe judgement, even condemnation. Until I said “STOP! This is abusive, not helpful.” and gave it another job as my Defender. Now instead of being a Prosecutor pointing an accusing finger, continuously finding fault, it stood by my side defending me. This empowerment process I now teach my clients.
I over-rode the inner critic daring to travel to Montana for a life changing Native American spirituality camp with Brooke Medicine Eagle.. She led us in drumming, singing, walking the land, a rite of passage for menopause, sweat lodges & vision quest. Native American spirituality is inclusive of the sacred feminine (Mother Earth), a spiritual geometry of all of creation standing in the Circle of Life. It nourishes me deeply to this day.
My Spirit gently propelled me on a search finding my true home and a whole new life in the Colorado mountains of Durango. I discovered a dance studio in Albuquerque where I was invited to learn competitive ballroom dancing - something beyond any dreams! I studied a form of Shamanic journeying in New Mexico that opened me to discover remarkable animal spirit guides that comforted me, bringing insight, true support and innerg guidance. In one journey the black stallion returned from my childhood books to rescue me from a painful childhood memory. Each animal spirit grounded me in my Truth.
I then trained in Transformational Breath™ which helped release angst, fear, anger, sadness trapped in my body. Once again I dove deep without retelling old stories, past resistance to discover a deep peace of mind & heart in who I am, where I am going. Both these healing modalities became an integral part of my personal practice and my professional expertise. Both have supported me in living with greater inner alignment with my soul guiding me through life. Growth propels more growth, freedom and inner peace. Nothing less will suffice.
Education:
- BSN, Seton Hall University, NJ
- M.Ed., Boston College, MA
SPECIALIZED CERTIFIED TRAINING:
• Deep Imagery (Shamanic Journeys) with E.Steven Gallegos, Ph.D. Certified Facilitator, www.deepimagery.org
• Transformational Breath™ with Dr. Judith Kravitz; Certified Facilitator & Group Leader www.transformationalbreath.com
• Gestalt Therapy, Gestalt Institute of New England
• Native American Spirituality Camps with Brooke Medicine Eagle
"I offer an opportunity to learn these ancient healing practices that turn fear and worry into a peace of mind and heart, a more relaxed body that radiates saying "I'm OK with me, who I am NOW . ." . My work with clients challenges them to embrace a loving OK-ness of who and where you are, along with processing difficult emotions of anger, fear, sadness. Healing, personal growth and evolution happen. These practices sidestep ego/mental defenses to get to your heart. Using music and drumming adds to the good "medicine" to soothe pain, neutralize negative thinking trapped deep in our body waiting for our loving attention.. Our spirit longs to breathe free and awaken us to our full potential. The end result is an expanded empowered and solid sense of Self, a clarity of purpose as one explores the hinterlands of your human soul. Florence Gaia