Body Wisdom Sanctuary

I came here to the Sacred Valley of Peru because of a vocal retreat, which I attended last year but wanted to repeat. But my body, after a period of overworking and hrs of being in different airports and planes, decided to give me a cold to slow me down, preventing me from joining the retreat. Since I have a thing for beautiful jewelry, and I didn’t want to just rest in my temporary casita, I decided to reach out to this beautiful human .pe, artist, mama of two children, to see if we can meet for a bit. We did and I’m reminded of her grace, her feminine style in her art, and her big heart which can easily be felt when you wear her art. I love supporting artists and people that you know put their heart & soul into their work. I wanted to share about her work here, in case I have any friends in NY or the US who would also be interested in supporting her. DM me or her please ❤️ 1. From tonight 2-4. Modeling to show her art 5. Her beautiful children in her cute little shop in Pisac, Cuzco.

Hi friends, Happy Summer Solstice 🌞 I’m teaching two yoga classes at the NYPL Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library at 455 5th Ave tomorrow. 11:30am chair yoga, 1pm open level yoga class. It’s part of the community resource fair and it’s free. Come say hi. I don’t teach public classes so much these days, but I’m always looking forward to it wherever I do. Hope to see some familiar faces 🤗💕✌🏽

Currently, I’m doing all of that for my inner little girl. After just a few months of daily practice, I feel profound love and compassion towards all versions of me; all the past versions that got locked up in the basement and ignored were finally released and are receiving the love and care they desperately needed. I’m shy to acknowledge it publicly, because I know I’ll be perceived as arrogant, egotistical, or even selfish. But the truth is I really adore myself. I love myself so much that I can honestly say that I’m my favorite person in the entire world. It’s taken years to be able to say and feel it deeply. It feels like I’m saying it and doing this “work” both for myself AND for all those that didn’t feel safe to love themselves, those that came before me that were born and forced into codependency, just to survive, just to receive a few bread crumbs of “love.” This inner work means everything to me. I can’t be fully alive in my humanness, in my soul essence, in my body, if I ignored this work that I believe needs to be done, for the betterment of humanity. Why should we do this work? Because “love” will always be conditional, transactional, empty. That’s not real love. I’m interested in REAL LOVE, the love that brings peace, deep connection to self, understanding, compassion, the love that embraces authenticity, freedom, and growth. What else is more important?

What is real love to you?

Part 1: Love. I’ve been cultivating the skills of listening, caring, and being with all parts of myself. Learning to be my own loving family; the one I secretly wished for but never got. And I’ve had the privilege of time to reflect on what love means to me. Since I’m human and living in a relational world, I’ll share what love looks like in relationships (it applies to self, family, friends, romantic partners). There’s the basics of showing affection; expressing gratitude, hugs; communicating with honesty, feeling safe to share thoughts and feelings, reassurance of your love (words of affirmation & physical affection), encouragement; using words to encourage the other to be their best self. There’s also the practice of emotional support, understanding, acceptance, loving the whole person, flaws and all, wanting growth and what’s best for them, and giving the other freedom to be themselves however feels most authentic to them.

In the past few months, I found myself lost in many moments of confusion, questioning if I’m doing enough, if I’m on the right path.

When I was a child, I wanted to be a singer, dancer, a performer, and I did that for a period of time. But then it became unsafe for me, shining too much made others uncomfortable, jealous, violent even. The oppression & shaming of young girls developed self-loathing in me. It was safer to live under the beliefs of “better to be quiet, to stay small, to not speak up, to not be seen.” If I let myself be free, I could literally be destroyed. Fast forward a couple decades, I’m in a different environment, a different culture, where healing is available and self-love possible. I’ve centered the majority of my adult life on healing and cultivating self-love.

As I was cleaning my apartment today, I saw a pile of my business cards. Then I thought, what’s there to be confused about? I am the CEO of my own business, Body Wisdom Sanctuary, and it’s growing and thriving. I took it as a sign to go back to deepening my relationship & reconnecting with the wisdom of my body, to find sanctuary within this beautifully tiny but mighty vessel, to love every part and every fiber of my “home.” What a beautiful experience to be able to witness the resilience of the human spirit (in me and others). What an honor to be able to do the work that I do. I am re-committing myself to this sacred work, as an embodied movement guide and teacher, a compassionate bodyworker, a healer.

Later, I decided to do a little gazing at myself in the mirror, admiring & loving the face I have, the strength of body I inhabit, noticing all the details, all the perfect imperfections. Just like that, I was falling in love with myself again! I’m grateful to be alive, grateful to have this body, to experience this life. I vow to take exquisite care of my body, to love myself completely, and if that helps a little corner of the world to also care for and love themselves, then that’s enough. (But I want more 😂 that’s for later!)

Trust Yourself.

One of my favorite things to do is to find a moment of my day to be still and be guided by the Universe, the higher realms. This deck by Alana Fairchild is one of my favorites and always gives me the message I need to hear.

I want to share my take on this message. Our amazing lives don’t have to look like what others consider to be amazing or successful. We are growing and our lives are unfolding the way it’s meant to unfold. You might not own 3 successful businesses, houses, cars, or have a financially wealthy partner or family, or the kids you dreamed of having when you were younger. But it doesn’t mean you’ve lost the game of life. It only means that if you make it mean that, and if you get sucked into social comparison, which they say kills all joy! We don’t want that! Instead, let’s practice trusting; trust that we’re exactly where we need to be, trust that we are growing. Trust yourself and the wisdom that comes from within. It could help to remove ourselves from all the distractions around us. Trust that the uncertainty and instability we feel (in all areas of our lives) is simply an opportunity for more love and light to be cultivated and revealed.

Recently, I asked my parents if they have any pictures of my grandparents. I've been wanting to make an ancestral altar; a space where I can honor those that came before me. I grew up in a culture where ancestral worshipping is practiced, it's often done in such a way where they're deified and all their mistakes/wrongdoings were ignored. I believe this is how intergenerational traumas continue. I resisted honoring them for a good period of my adult life. I wasn't proud to be part of that blood lineage. Well, racism doesn't help; talk another time.

About 11 yrs ago, I was hit with this realization that life’s a gift, that my connection to life (my thoughts, inner voice, dialogue) is within my control. I turned to different healing modalities to help digest & alchemize all of what's within me. Today, still learning, growing, digesting, alchemizing, and healing.

I still don't fully know why I'm here. Maybe it's as simple as making the best out of life. To follow my heart, to live life to the fullest, to be a rebel so that I can explore what life could feel like if there's no box to force myself into. A friend once told me that, "we are our ancestors' dream come true." wow.

Yesterday, as I celebrated Dia de los Mu***os, I decided to look in the mirror as a way of remembering them, since I don't have any pictures. After all, my face & body, although uniquely mine, is a collection of my ancestors. My mouth started moving, as if they were speaking through me, "Keep going, child, you're not alone, we're with you, in your heart, blood, bones, every cell in your body. Listen to the sound that can only be heard in deep silence, there you'll find answers. You are all the things that we dreamed of. Thank you for enjoying the fruits of our labor. We love you."

I see them all on my face & body. It's my responsibility to love and honor all parts of me, that's the only life long commitment I have. By loving and honoring myself, I love and honor all of them. Thank you, my beloved ancestors.

A few months ago, I noticed that I had not been living life fully awake and was on autopilot of working, letting my childhood programming and injuries run the show. I was not taking great care of myself, and cared more about the bottom line than the health of my body, heart, soul. Thank goodness, I never went too far off course and was always guided back to a place of deeper ease and alignment. What a sweet feeling it was to be able to love and forgive myself.

One realization that came recently (from my mini journey back to alignment) was that happiness is a choice. Doesn’t matter how chaotic, scary, uncertain, tumultuous life feels, I can choose acceptance, peace, & happiness. I saw that as much as I wanted certainty in life, I was never going to get it. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. The only thing that has a chance of dancing harmoniously with uncertainty is SURRENDER. Surrendering means without resisting what is. It has a feminine quality of softness, receptivity, accepting life however it happens and having faith that things will work out no matter what.

One of the things that I’m exploring as I learn what choosing happiness means is connecting the fun of adorning & dressing myself. I did some fun shopping in Peru; getting hats, clothes, jewelry, and getting my photos taken. Here are some that were taken by my dear friend who lives in the sacred valley of Cusco. What do you think? I’m enjoying being in a female body, being a woman who is reconnecting with her yin, the feminine way. No forcing, no trying to lead where my leadership isn’t needed. Leading only in my business and work. The rest of the time, I surrender & will play, sing, and dance in my feminine bliss.

All the “achievements” that happened in September! I’ve survived “Dead Women’s Pass” 13,776 feet above sea level and successfully completed the 45 km 4 days Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in one piece. Thanks to our guide Fletcher and all the amazing porters (all beautiful native Incan people) that made this trip possible.

While in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, I attended a 8 days retreat “Vocal Sound Healing & Medicine Music Initiation,” led by our super kind, loving, and amazing father & facilitator Niko Chiesa. And after my almost month long trip, I went back to my NYC life again but with a group of highly trained bodyworkers, and deepened my skills in Thai massage and Osteopathy with these incredible bodyworkers, osteopaths, and healing powerhouses, Pau Castellsague, and Andres Webber.

All these containers happen to be facilitated by men, and I am deeply grateful for being guided and held by the Divine Masculine. I wonder how much more relaxed and how much more enriched our lives would be if we (men and women) allowed the Divine Masculine to support us more.

Thank you, this is what I needed. And thank you to all the mamas that nurture boys and women that uplift men and that give men the space to shine and uplift us all. Here is to more fun and learning in life while resting & being in my feminine flow.

All the “achievements” that happened in September! I’ve survived “Dead Women’s Pass” 13,776 feet above sea level and successfully completed the 45 km 4 days Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in one piece. Thanks to our guide Fletcher and all the amazing porters (all beautiful native Incan people) that made this trip possible.

While in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, I attended a 8 days retreat “Vocal Sound Healing & Medicine Music Initiation,” led by our super kind, loving, and amazing father & facilitator Niko Chiesa. And after my almost month long trip, I went back to my NYC life again but with a group of highly trained bodyworkers, and deepened my skills in Thai massage and Osteopathy with these incredible bodyworkers, osteopaths, and healing powerhouses, Pau Castellsague, and Andres Webber.

All these containers happen to be facilitated by men, and I am deeply grateful for being guided and held by the Divine Masculine. I wonder how much more relaxed and how much more enriched our lives would be if we (men and women) allowed the Divine Masculine to support us more.

Thank you, this is what I needed. And thank you to all the mamas that nurture boys and women that uplift men and that give men the space to shine and uplift us all. Here is to more fun and learning in life while resting & being in my feminine flow.

This morning, I had to do the unthinkable. I reached out to a client 30 mins before session time to reschedule. Why? Because I woke up with so much pain that it hurt to even move my arms. An old injury got flared up & I knew if I pushed myself, it would be a bad idea. I assumed the client would understand & would be okay with either rescheduling or getting a refund. Not an hour later, I got a notification saying that I received a 2- stars review stating her disappointment. My immediate response was, ouch! I got this “negative” review simply because I stated my limitations and asked for the space to rest and take care of my body.

I could have cancelled or rescheduled with her the day before when the pain started. But my health gave me the illusion that my body would heal by next day. I was wrong. Plus my desire to be of service is sometimes stronger than knowing my own limitations. But hey, we learn & grow from our mistakes.

And hey y'all. It's me, Siewli. The human behind Body Wisdom Sanctuary. It’s hard to conceive, but behind every logo, every business (especially small wellness biz), is a human being who is moving through the world in this human body subject to injuries, discomfort, & pain. I'm in the business of helping humans feel more at ease in their bodies, while trying to take care, heal, and feel safe within my own body. Like yours, mine is a collection of memories, traumas, stories, and parts interacting with others with their collections. This morning, after receiving that review, the old me would have judged myself. Instead, I chose to listen and love the part that judged myself for "f*cking up"; the part that felt sorry I wasn't able to show up for this client. I also chose to love all the crying & painful parts that came up as I received much needed care. I commended the part that stood up for myself. I can practice self-love and self-compassion, everyday, thousands of times a day. It's a harsh world we live in, we can make it easier by first giving ourselves grace. And only then, we can extend love and grace to others.

Today I had my first proper rest day in at very long time where I chose to do nourishing activities and be with nourishing people. My dear friend Connie took me to the Chinese Scholar’s Garden at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and enjoyed the afternoon. After that, I got a much needed massage. And after, I participated in a beautiful women’s circle / cacao ceremony hosted by another friend, Sasha. Everything felt easy to digest, peaceful to my heart and soul.

Days like these are so very important to me. I’ve noticed myself getting sucked into the grind culture, because it’s so easy. I have workaholic tendencies, plus our culture encourages it and praises busyness. Another reason, this is personal to me, is that I notice massive approval from my parents when I work a lot. As a black sheep in the family, and a c-ptsd survivor, the middle child, healing my co-dependency + decades of traumas, I still crave love & approval. And subconsciously, when I say yes to work (beyond what’s good for my body), I’m also saying, yes, I’m getting close to buying that house/stuff to prove that I’m a valuable person deserving of love. Life currently is screaming at me and saying this is BS! I’m dedicating the next 30 days being super conscious of how I use my energy, prioritizing my mental, physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. I hope to make it a habit, self care over grind culture, feeling over numbing, healing/loving over complaining and controlling, being guided by my divine feminine rather than being in my masculine.

This past weekend, I had a client that had an emotional release after a Chi Nei Tsang / bodywork session. She said, "I normally don't cry, and if I do, it's very private and there's no one else seeing me. Gosh, I'm so sorry, I don't know what's happening with me." She apologized probably at least 20 times, and I kept reassuring her that it was more than okay and very healthy to let tears flow. She was a young woman who I imagine, like many humans on planet earth, has gone through so much in life. She lost some very important people as a growing child, and she thought in order to move forward and thrive, she had to do really well in school, be happy and strong, no matter what. That meant, not allowing herself to be sad, to feel her feelings.

We as a society are very good at not giving ourselves the time and space to feel. We fill our time with busyness, to-dos, and we become disconnected from our bodies, hearts, feelings, so much so that we forget that they are even there. On an emotional/psychological level, it could make us into either extreme people pleasers, unable to be authentic with ourselves, work ourselves beyond our limit, or saying yes when we really need to say no. On the physical level, it could result in overeating (way after we are satiated), stiffness, numbness, pain, and maybe even chronic conditions or something more severe like autoimmune diseases or even cancer.

I didn't tell her that, of course. But I did say it's good and healthy to receive these sessions more regularly. Not because I want her as a regular client, although I really wouldn't mind because she's a lovely young woman who can use the support. But because these sessions are dedicated time for her to slow down, for her to know what it's like to be cared for, to receive unconditional love, to let her guard down so that she can feel her feelings and cry/laugh/scream if that's what's needed to move stagnant energies. Yes, crying is allowed, screaming, laughing, and sounding "weird" too.
See more in comment ⬇️

How I celebrated Valentine's. I gave myself a Galentine's vacay! Thanks for making it happen with me Laurie, and thank you Eileen for inviting me and sharing so so so much with me. I love my Galentines! Valentine’s Day good to myself: 3 amazing bodywork sessions, healing watsu session, a couple dresses, and amazing and nourishing meals. Self care and giving to myself is getting easier every year. 🥰🥰🥰

If you are in Miami, you won’t want to miss this! Aside from Qigong, Thai yoga massage practices, and a sound bath, there will be complementary elixirs and spa time! Bring your bathing suit 👙 and maybe a friend 😃
Co-facilitating with the amazing queen Eileen 💝

Happy 2023! I'd like to remind you all that please don't be afraid to LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE, but beware of naysayers & haters. They are out there, no matter how much you surround yourself with positive people. Your beautiful light can trigger those full of self-loathing & insecurities and cause them to be uncomfortable, sometimes to the point of behaving or communicating in ways that are designed to dim you or crush you. Be strong! Don't abandon yourself in those moments, and don't give your power away.

Here's a picture of me in yellow, which is the color I've been playing with; the color of the solar plexus. If you need a little reminder of what it means to be balanced and connected in this chakra, here are some SOLAR PLEXUS AFFIRMATION that can help you stay strong and powerful when dealing with haters & challenging folks who are unhappy and mostly living in lower vibrational states. It can help to place a hand on the solar plexus or take a power stance, if appropriate!

I am calm, confident, and powerful ⭐️
I am allowed to take up space 🌝
I am worthy of respect from myself and others 💛
I am capable of accomplishing incredible things 🌻
I stand in my personal power ⭐️
I wholeheartedly believe in myself 💝
I can create positive change in my life 🌟
I hold the key to my own happiness 😃
I choose to let go of comparison 😌
The only approval I need is my own 🫶
I know my value and will not shrink myself for anything or anyone 😃

Remember that the haters are the ones that need healing the most, but that's not our problem. You can love them from a distance. Focus on living and your own healing. Go have fun, laugh, dance, be happy, and enjoy yourself as much as you can! This is what life is about. And fun is healing!

I wish love and healing for all of us, every single human, animals, and the whole planet earth. But we have to be realistic, we are living in a world of light and darkness. There's no good/bad, this is just energy management. ☯️ 🧘‍♀️ It will all make sense at the end. ☮️ ✌️ ☯️ 💗

Happy New Year! I just got back yesterday and today is my first real day of work in 2023, and the first full day after almost a month of resting & traveling. It was a much needed time off, and I felt nourished emotionally, energetically, and physically. In those days, I had about 8 bodywork sessions (massage & osteopathy); I slept in, I journaled, and meditated, I sang, and I had a dance party (solo or with just a couple others) everyday! Thanks to those rest days in beautiful Argentina, I now feel ready to work and help people to feel more at ease & more free in their human bodies. Feel free to reach out if you need some support caring for your body and dealing with those aches and pains. Sending y'all a virtual hug 🤗 ❤️

Years ago, I used to work with a gentleman who worked at Wall Street. He was successful when measured by the traditional standards of success. However, when I first met him, he was not well, physically, emotionally, & spiritually. He realized that all that success meant nothing if he couldn't enjoy his life. He decided to hire me to be part of his care team & help turn things around.

My role in his healing journey was that of a yoga therapist, bodyworker, healer. We had many discussions on life, and one thing that came up often was that we are all going to die. During the pandemic, he moved away and only came back to me twice. I was sad in the beginning, I got used to seeing him 3 times a week and doing our routines. Eventually I was able to let it go. I realized what a gift it was that our paths crossed, how we have changed each other's lives. It was because of him that I became serious about being a full time bodyworker & healer. He also inspired me to get an app that reminds you that we're gonna die one day. It's changed my life, so thank you 🙏

Why do such a thing? Contemplating death humbles us. It reminds us that life is finite. With death in mind, I often ask myself these questions: While I'm here, what do I want to create? What exactly needs to be felt and heard in my body so that it can be healed? How do I want to treat people? How do I want my words and actions to impact others? Am I taking good care of my mind, body, heart, & spirit? Is acquiring loads of money & possession really that important when we already have enough? What is the "legacy" I want to leave behind? Does it have to be in the forms of children? Can it be the vibration of love, joy, peace, and acceptance through my teaching and how I am showing up in the world every single day? Because at the end, what can you really take with you?

Stay humble y'all ✌️

Happy Saturday and Happy Fall! I'm feeling so good and buzzing with positive energy from teaching my weekly Qigong class! I've been teaching these weekend classes ever since the beginning of pandemic, March 2020, and they are still going strong! They have been so grounding & nourishing to me, and I LOVE all the participants! It's an opportunity for me to breathe, slow down, and move more mindfully, to be together, and to cultivate loving and positive energy. As a bodyworker and energy healer, cultivating healthy Qi is absolutely vital, and it impacts everything I do in this world. So grateful I get to do this! 💗 Thank you to all those that come on a regular basis. May you all be healthy and protected in this season.

My actual birthday was a week ago, but I’m giving myself a whole month to celebrate. It's a big deal, coming into form from formless, being here on earth, inhabiting this body. Being alive is a phenomenon, a miracle in and of itself. Then we had to survive the traumas of birth, childhood, growing up, heartbreaks...

I haven’t posted much these days that aren’t related to business. Part of it is not trusting others and not wanting to share myself, my heart, my inner thoughts with others. But what I’ve learned in my years of being human & working with humans in various capacities is that we are more or less the same. We all want love, connection, belonging, and a sense of purpose as we move through life. We all want to feel good about ourselves, and about the body that we find ourselves in.

So here's a little intimate letter I wrote for myself, to myself. A birthday gift that helps remind me to deepen my practice of self-love.

I am enough.

I am allowed to say no and walk away from any situation that doesn’t feel safe, good, or let me be my most authentic self.

I am allowed to start fresh, over and over again.

I am allowed to be happy, at ease, and experience joy.

I deserve love and connection.

I belong here.

I am allowed to have my own boundaries.

I am allowed to pause and simply rest.

My worth isn’t tied to how much money I make, how much stuff and what I acquire or haven’t acquired, or how many followers and friends I have. Or even how much I do and contribute to society. Or how much I have accomplished.

I am worthy, good, and deserving just as I am because I exist.

No more trying to convince myself that I'm worthy or good because of this or that. This practice of self-love is a radical idea, as girls (in my childhood) were often taught to be submissive, to be humble, to be small (both physically and energetically), to be self-effacing, self-deprecating. I don't want that anymore. I am allowed to write a new script.

Happy birthday to me, beautiful, perfectly imperfect Siewli.

T O U C H IS M E D I C I N E AND I T F E E L S G O O D !

What good is life if we don't allow ourselves to feel good?

More and more people are sharing their realization with me, which is that this "work", meaning bodywork, massage, & embodiment practices is not really a luxury, but a necessity. And it feels good to receive a session. Why is that? When the touch one receives feels safe and is skillful, our brain releases feel-good chemicals and reduces pain. When your skin's nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high. Stress hormones (cortisol & adrenaline) decrease, and the receiver might feel euphoria and bliss. Imagine if this happens regularly, once a week, once every 2 weeks, or even just once a month! Touch, skillful touch, is therapeutic, anti-aging, and to me, it's great preventive medicine. Life is too short, we deserve to feel good while we are living in our bodies ❤️

Please reach out for loving support. Or book a FREE consultation with me if you're skeptical and want to get to know how I can help you feel better as you navigate life in your human body.