We must, of course, start with my mother, Jeanine Bordeau, who taught me service, empathy, compassion, self control, and intuitive energy work. Mom protected me, loved me fiercely, and guided me to prepare for the worst while expecting the best. She gave me my positive outlook, hard work sensibilities, and love for dancing

Chris, a region 10 counselor saved my life when I was most suicidal as a child. Chris validated my comping mechanisms, and gently but frankly acknowledged trauma that I had never spoken about out loud. She also introduced me to acupressure, despite the risks, which became and is still an important coping mechanism in my life today

Ken Zarski is a physical therapist that encouraged me to learn Craniosacral Therpay. I still use the PT exercises Ken taught me. His frank nature about the severity of my physical injuries helped me to stay balanced while battling intense chronic pain at an age where no one wanted to believe me.

Janet Evergreen, my craniosacral therapy and first somatics mentor, also began my life's learning around soul recall, grounding, and tuning. Her depth of compassion and ability to sit with trauma, while encouraging individuals to shift the pain gently on our own timeline, was vital to me learning how to hold space for people from all walks of life. Janet was an impactful example of what it looked like to be flexible in the lessons being provided to those seeking.

Gloria Cappola has been my mentor since massage school in 2007. She has a plethora of skills, an abundance of physical and metaphysical knowledge, and is a generous friend to boot. The words she spoke to me over a 15 years ago still resonate within me while new layers of the old teachings unfold. 

I think of Dane Silva as one of Gloria's teachers, as I learned from him very briefly. In that short time, he illuminated a domino of epiphanies that play large roles in how I work, think, and perceive myself on the journey of my life. 

Leilani Kalilimoku Kaleiohi and I were introduced about 4 or 5 years into my study of lomi, and after I asked questions that my current kumu was unable to answer. Kahu Leilani has been generous with her love of traditional teaching. I am deeply privileged that she has taken the time to instruct me with questions, videos, and in depth conversations. The oli that were shared with me have helped to support, shift, and transmute. She has helped to expand my connection to my higher self, and to trust my intuition more deeply.

Nana Veary's book "Change We Must" is a short tome, with large lettering that carries an abundance of education. After owning this book for 5 or so years now, despite constant rereading it, I consistently learn new things from Nana Veary's impactful words. Her mana'o still resonates in the stars and the rain, and I'm deeply grateful to the guidance I've found in her wisdom.   

Cindy Meyers, An egoscue practitioner and owner of Pain Free Performance who helped me heal myself deeply. Once my I peaked with my physical therapy exercises, I needed another layer. These exercises have helped me stand stronger and taller, and at times with less pain

Gabrielle Roth, the creater of five rhythms dance which has been deeply connective and healing. Gabrielle passed before I found five rhythms, but her books and movement practice have been intensely influential on my life.  My personal stimming has always involved dancing. Moving through the isles of the grocery store, waiting at a red light, or simply trying to convince my brain to just do the thing, I dance. Gabrielle left a legacy where dancing doesn't mean looking pretty, where even lethargy has a place on the dance floor. This practice has helped me move some of the most difficult emotions, and release some debilitating trauma. 

To start with,  Kahu Raylene Kawaiea had deep impact within lesbian and queer communities as well. Her teachings have echoed, transmuted, multiplied, and continue to be honored today.Kumu Raylene Kawaiaea was a woman who embodied love with every breath. She passed on before I was able to connect with her in person, however I will forever be grateful for the words she left behind in her students, and video form. Her heart energy is still felt; it is many years after her passing and her love is still palpably echoing within the legacy she has passed on, and she's been too influential to leave out. The most perfect example of her deep love can be experienced in this potent oli she gifted the wolrd by recording here. 

Harry Uhane Jim taught me about my favorite oli, bone washing, and the sacredness of Awa'awa. He helped me to deeper understand my connection to, and the meaning of 'anuenue. The hālau I was a student of is Kahu mālama a ao ke 'anuenue, loosely translated to Stewards of the Rainbow's Light. He is one of many teachers to encourage me to dance in the shadow, not just the light

Sarita Bennett, the instructor and mentor for the entirety of my midwifery journey is both a DO and a traditional midwife. She started her midwifery practice before going to medical school and has continued to offer education and midwifery care. She walked the line between western medicine and spiritual midwifery, and the physiologic education I received is unparalleled to any other midwifery education I've heard about or explored since. Sarita has a deep faith in the body's ability to give birth, and she encouraged independence and reciprocity, and she was working towards a non hierarchical environment during the time I worked with her and within her practice.  

A note about Lomi;

Though I have been told specifically to offer Lomi by my kumu and her teachers, it feels inappropriate after only studying intentionally for 8 years. Lomi is a perspective, a relationship to the energies around you, a way of approaching the world, and not just how a practitioner interacts with a body on a table. 

Living in Charlottesville, Virginia, I knew I needed to find words to describe the entirety of my offerings that wasn't tied to a culture not of my blood. I offer the approximate of Alchemist, and hope it not only suits, but honors the spirit of the offering.