"I believe in the capacity of each human being to remember their own drum beat of harmony."
~ Melanie Sakowski
If you find yourself looking at my page thinking,
- this woman looks familiar!"
You may be recognizing me (Hi, I'm Melanie Sakowski) as that interesting hooman who loves pulling a tyre around the streets of Squamish, BC, Canada... or maybe you have seen me running barefoot on the trails (forwards OR backwards)... or perhaps you have seen me leading free slinky spine classes in the park.
No matter where you have met me, I'm delighted my path has run into yours
Born in Toronto, I come from a past where trauma sat in my nervous system. Coping mechanisms like restricting food, then bingeing and purging, and abusing my body with non-intuitive movement/over-exercising served as a survival means to disconnect from myself because of (and furthering) anxiety and depression.
I can tell you straight-up that these tactics didn't work to bring me to peace; which I was so desperately seeking.
The fear of letting go and going home instead of continuing the abuse cycle with the thought that it might get me what I want is SO REAL that I have found myself going through different iterations of this disconnection before I again come home to my peace and ease in my body and self at large.
My journey and exploration of pathways to embody peace and joy in harmony with my power has formed the foundation for my life's work and purpose. Guiding others in the process of feeling at home within themselves, to be in a balanced state of mind where the outer flux doesn't hold noose around the inner state.
I believe that the shape in which we hold our bodies, how we shape our bodies, is a direct reflection of our inner state of being. I believe that rigidity in the mind shows in the fabric making up the tapestry of our tissues, and therefore, fluidity and ease dances us for the world to see as we look through wide open eyes.
Our shape is our signature of ourselves in the moment in time; a creative act of self-expression.
I graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2014 with a Bachelors of Honours degree, Specializing in Kinesiology.
With a deep interest in running mechanics, rooted in my past as a triathlete, I take a holistic approach to movement and helping people find rhythm and fluidity through play.
I have furthered my training under Dr. Craig Liebenson of First Principles of Movement, and I often reference Somatic Experiencing, and the work of Lawrence Van Lingen of Innerunner in my work as highly beneficial, core influences.
From traveling extensively, an immersion in the study of Yoga from The Yoga Institute in Mumbai, India, made its way into my practice and work - as did my Holistic Nutrition certification from The Holistic Performance Nutrition Institute in New Zealand, which I would be happy to bring into our work together.
I approach all treatment from a connected, collaborative, self-discovery process with clients, recognizing them as the true masters of their own body. I am there simply as co-pilot, support, and guide as they learn to attune themselves and problem-solve.
I delight in seeing YOU build that ability to guide yourself in your body powerfully.
And, because he says it so phenomenally - In the words of Lawrence Van Lingen, body worker, movement guide, cool human-gift to this earth::
“To get someone into a position where they authentically know and trust their movement is extraordinary.
When someone gets into that space, it’s virtually like enlightenment.”
In my spare time, I can be found out in the forest, on a mountain-top, or in a lake...
wild-hearted, grounded and free!
