FLORENCE GAIA, RN, M.Ed.
Transformational Nurse
I was born and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey across the river from "the City" (Hudson & NYC) following in my mother's footsteps, a nurse devoted to my children and Church. My happiest times as a kid were at my Aunt's farm in western Jersey: the barn, animals, climbing the apple tree, learning to ride horses from an old Montana cowboy and also swimming in the calm ocean waters of Chappoquoit beach.Cape Cod, Married with 2 kids in Massachusetts, I helped with a riding program for disabled children, took school children on nature walks, led Bluebird groups.
Over the years my vague discontent in my marriage, the stirrings of consciousness grew until I could no longer push it away or ignore it. I was hungry for a deep relationship, wth some passion, sensitivity, expanding my spirituality, open-hearted communication, sharing evolving wisdom and heartfulness. Yet the relationship felt stifling for me, dead ended in a fossilized state of mediocrity, without growth or life. I was stuck in a pattern of hoping, waiting for him to change, for the relationship to come alive, to deepen....... until the "light dawned on Marblehead", that sudden realization of the obvious.....
Choosing, initiating divorce was an upheaval of my life plan, a crisis of identity and faith, causing depression and suicidal thoughts as I challenged the principles of my religion. But I knew staying meant my spirit would be caged, continually frustrated and bound up, my true heart voice muffled. I kept listening to my hard truth coming through, getting support from my therapist, saying out loud what my heart was feeling, my soul was whispering. Yes, including facing an unknown future different from 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?" In dark moments I found gentle self-compassion, seeing the pain in my eyes, asking "how can I take care of you today?" .... Sometimes by simply adding cinnamon to my toast, sitting outside with tea in the sun, being with myself, unattended, undistracted. Never again waiting for someone else to make my life fulfilling or me happy. My spirit of adventure gently propelled me forth on a search.
My fiercest battles were within, with my inner critic. A voice in my head finely tuned and honed by a patriarchal religious upbringing focused on self-critiquing and self-judgement vs being a beloved woman of the Divine, grounded in my original goodness and blessing. Each major leap forward out of my comfort zone, in new directions was preceded with the inner critic protesting, giving me a warning, a severe judgement, even condemnation. Until I said “STOP! This is abusive, not helpful.” and gave it another job as my Defender, to stand by my side instead of being a Prosecutor pointing an accusing finger, finding fault. An empowerment process I now teach my clients. This happened prior to attending a woman’s retreat on Cape Cod with my Native teacher, then over-riding the inner critic daring to travel to Montana for a life changing spirituality camp with her. She led us in sweat lodges & vision quest. Native American spirituality is creation-centered, inclusive of the sacred feminine (Mother Earth), a spiritual geometry of the Circle of Life, not a hierarchy. It nourishes me deeply to this day.
Aaah but Spirit was not finished leading me forward ….. I was moved to study a form of Shamanic journeying in New Mexico that helped me discover my own rich inner landscape. Remarkable animal spirit guides comforted me, bringing insight, true guidance from Spirit, healing of old wounds. The Black Stallion returned from my childhood book to heal 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 still trapped in my body. Once again I dove deep within, past old stories and resistance to be grounded in a deep contentment, peace of mind & heart in who I am, where I was going. Both these healing modalities became an integral part of my personal practice and my professional expertise.
I fulfilled a life-long dream to live in the mountains of Colorado, my true spiritual home. And my adventure continues ....
Florence has been a transformational nurse for 30 yrs. leading workshops and retreats. I worked as a hospital psychiatric nurse in MA and NM for 17 years. In my holistic healing practice my main focus is using Shamanic Journeying and Transformational Breath™ to assist people to release the remnants of trauma and return to their original innocence & goodness. Training with Brooke Medicine Eagle in Montana brought Native American spiritual teachings & practice into my life and healing work. As a certified Music Medicine facilitator with renowned music therapist Christine Stevens using sound therapy is incorporated. I have led meditative drumming circles and ceremonial rites of passage for menopausal women in MA, NH, NM, CO. I offer experiences that bring inner peace and empowerment to one's life, to feel more whole and alive, be nurtured by a heartfelt connection to Mother Earth and the greater circle of life.. My work is an authentic integration of art, spirituality and medicine.
Over the years my vague discontent in my marriage, the stirrings of consciousness grew until I could no longer push it away or ignore it. I was hungry for a deep relationship, wth some passion, sensitivity, expanding my spirituality, open-hearted communication, sharing evolving wisdom and heartfulness. Yet the relationship felt stifling for me, dead ended in a fossilized state of mediocrity, without growth or life. I was stuck in a pattern of hoping, waiting for him to change, for the relationship to come alive, to deepen....... until the "light dawned on Marblehead", that sudden realization of the obvious.....
Choosing, initiating divorce was an upheaval of my life plan, a crisis of identity and faith, causing depression and suicidal thoughts as I challenged the principles of my religion. But I knew staying meant my spirit would be caged, continually frustrated and bound up, my true heart voice muffled. I kept listening to my hard truth coming through, getting support from my therapist, saying out loud what my heart was feeling, my soul was whispering. Yes, including facing an unknown future different from 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?" In dark moments I found gentle self-compassion, seeing the pain in my eyes, asking "how can I take care of you today?" .... Sometimes by simply adding cinnamon to my toast, sitting outside with tea in the sun, being with myself, unattended, undistracted. Never again waiting for someone else to make my life fulfilling or me happy. My spirit of adventure gently propelled me forth on a search.
My fiercest battles were within, with my inner critic. A voice in my head finely tuned and honed by a patriarchal religious upbringing focused on self-critiquing and self-judgement vs being a beloved woman of the Divine, grounded in my original goodness and blessing. Each major leap forward out of my comfort zone, in new directions was preceded with the inner critic protesting, giving me a warning, a severe judgement, even condemnation. Until I said “STOP! This is abusive, not helpful.” and gave it another job as my Defender, to stand by my side instead of being a Prosecutor pointing an accusing finger, finding fault. An empowerment process I now teach my clients. This happened prior to attending a woman’s retreat on Cape Cod with my Native teacher, then over-riding the inner critic daring to travel to Montana for a life changing spirituality camp with her. She led us in sweat lodges & vision quest. Native American spirituality is creation-centered, inclusive of the sacred feminine (Mother Earth), a spiritual geometry of the Circle of Life, not a hierarchy. It nourishes me deeply to this day.
Aaah but Spirit was not finished leading me forward ….. I was moved to study a form of Shamanic journeying in New Mexico that helped me discover my own rich inner landscape. Remarkable animal spirit guides comforted me, bringing insight, true guidance from Spirit, healing of old wounds. The Black Stallion returned from my childhood book to heal 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 still trapped in my body. Once again I dove deep within, past old stories and resistance to be grounded in a deep contentment, peace of mind & heart in who I am, where I was going. Both these healing modalities became an integral part of my personal practice and my professional expertise.
I fulfilled a life-long dream to live in the mountains of Colorado, my true spiritual home. And my adventure continues ....
Florence has been a transformational nurse for 30 yrs. leading workshops and retreats. I worked as a hospital psychiatric nurse in MA and NM for 17 years. In my holistic healing practice my main focus is using Shamanic Journeying and Transformational Breath™ to assist people to release the remnants of trauma and return to their original innocence & goodness. Training with Brooke Medicine Eagle in Montana brought Native American spiritual teachings & practice into my life and healing work. As a certified Music Medicine facilitator with renowned music therapist Christine Stevens using sound therapy is incorporated. I have led meditative drumming circles and ceremonial rites of passage for menopausal women in MA, NH, NM, CO. I offer experiences that bring inner peace and empowerment to one's life, to feel more whole and alive, be nurtured by a heartfelt connection to Mother Earth and the greater circle of life.. My work is an authentic integration of art, spirituality and medicine.
Education:
- BSN, Seton Hall University, NJ
- M.Ed., Boston College, MA
SPECIALIZED CERTIFIED TRAINING:
- Shamanic "Journeys" aka Deep Imagery with E.Steven Gallegos; 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 with Brooke Medicine Eagle
Living one's life fully becomes the ultimate adventure despite troubles of life." Florence Gaia