After the lecture, I initially contacted Robyn to gain supplemental information on the MRS. These conversations lead to my purchase and ecstatic daily use of the MRS mat. My enjoyment of the mat came primarily from the amazing sleep I experienced and continue to experience from its use at night as well as the enhanced and sustained energy levels from its use throughout the day. While these conversations with Robyn led me to a product that has immensely benefited my life, they also led to an opportunity that would take me across the country to Santa Fe, the nexus of alternative and holistic healing.
Having spent several years in retail business development, I now felt compelled to pursue a more personally enriching career path. The inspiration I gained from Robyn's led me to reach out to her regarding a potential internship at Santa Fe Soul and she was willing to create an opportunity in which I could better understand the various modalities of the natural healing world.
After making some quick housing arrangements and a more time-consuming 1,900-mile journey across the country from my home in Washington, DC, I arrived at the doorstep of Leanne, Pablo, and Shuba Chattey, my wonderful New Mexico family who provided my home away from home. Leanne is a Trager practitioner at Santa Fe Soul and Pablo works with the National Park Service. Shuba is a sweet, six year old chocolate lab who is both a great guard dog and superb "snuggled".
Upon entering Santa Fe Soul Health & Healing Center, it quickly became apparent to me why the center had such a remarkable reputation. Organized by an inspirationally caring core-management staff, Santa Fe Soul offers forty different pathways to wellness through the expertise of its twenty-five practitioners. The warmth of the practitioners and core staff created an environment that tremendously benefited my studies while simultaneously allowed for the healing of their clients.
I came to Santa Fe Soul hoping to learn about how practitioners' day-to-day routines were shaped based on what they do, why they love their work, and to hear how their journeys evolved. I was pleasantly amazed by how willing the practitioners were to share their stories, lifestyle choices, life learning experiences, and perspectives on their careers. I was welcomed with open arms and in one month's time, total strangers became my second family.
Throughout my life, I have acquired general knowledge of Acupuncture, Reiki, and Chiropractic, but thirty of the forty modalities offered at Santa Fe Soul were completely unknown to me. Through the generosity of the practitioners, I received firsthand experience in the Trager Approach, Acupuncture, Theta Healing, Quantum EXPF/SCIO, Live Blood Cell Analysis, Japanese Massage, Reconnective Therapy, Chiropractic, Resonance Repatterning, Color Breathing, Buddhist psychotherapy, Myers cocktails, UVB therapies, BodyTalk, Life Coaching & Counseling, Song & Drum Circles, Yellow Moon Readings, and Rhythm & Sound Therapy. The experience gained from receiving full treatments and shadowing practitioners assisted me tremendously in determining my potential direction in the healing world. At this point in my development, I can see myself happily and effectively practicing Theta Healing and Life Coaching.
I am eternally grateful to Robyn and each member of the Santa Fe Soul community for their assistance in the discovery of my new professional pursuits! With fond memories and deepest gratitude, Jeannie Berkinshaw