I love what I get to do! This work is kind, relaxing and fun!
Early on, I went into a health focused career in nutrition and soon let that go for my real passion which was working for the Earth. I thought I'd have a lifelong career in environmentally focused work, but then I stayed with my dad in the last months of his life, and sat with him as he died, and that changed my orientation.
Who is this ME living MY life? I adopted a regular yoga practice where I began connecting to myself, my body, and crying. I cried most days, after not crying for most of my life. I began meditating and studying the nature of mind at Sitagu Burmese Buddhist Vihara. So grateful!! Soon I started teaching yoga and doing massage therapy, Thai massage, Hakomi and end-of-life studies.
Like a path forming in the darkness, just in time for each step, I discovered what it means to be living in improv! I took every unconventional gift that showed up, including 5+ years of volunteering in a women's prison, facilitating a life-freeing class through an organization called Truth Be Told. Women respectfully sharing and hearing each others stories, becoming free by finding our voices of truth and coming out of the pernicious shame/trauma cycle of our culture. Amazing grace, it was!!
One thing I love the most is dancing, and dance has taken many shapes over my life. The primary was just being a kid with a free body. Then a little ballet and tap, but that didn't stick. Next was four years of high school drill team, including being an officer and the captain. The dance team saved me in those years when I may have otherwise lost myself to drinking and a sad home life. In college I started exploring modern dance, which opened a lot of possibilities for a more organic way of moving. Later, Ecstatic dance, Contact Improvisation, Authentic Movement and Contemporary Dance, which I performed in several shows and festivals. I love the blend of structure and improvisation. Lifelong play in connection is essential.
I haven't returned to environmental work, yet... but the connection is in my work around trauma healing and reconnecting to wholeness. The world needs our honest participation. I really get it now! Thanks to my dad, Harold McGilvray, for organically teaching me this in his spirit as he died. The Earth is loved by us humans becoming authentic in ourselves. Our bodies ARE the Earth and the way we listen and move shapes and permeates everything. This is why I love Biodynamic Therapy, listening to life energy and being with it, which allows the honest next wise thing to happen.
I live simply, gratefully in my little hobbit home under the Live Oaks with my best friend husband, Nathan, and our beloved pups, Grace and Hope. We love to camp!
Major certifications and degrees Biodynamic Craniosacral Training - Body Intelligence, Austin 2018 Hakomi Mindfulness/Body-Centered Psychotherapy - Hakomi SW, Austin 2012 Massage Therapy Training - Texas Healing Arts Institute, Austin 2007 Thai Massage Training - ITM, Chiang Mai, Thailand 2006 Yoga Teacher Training - Living Yoga Program, Austin 2004 MPS Environmental & Community Land Planning - SUNY ESF, Syracuse 2003 BS Geography, Resource & Environmental Studies - SWTSU, San Marcos 1999 BS Nutrition - SWTSU, San Marcos 1994