About Kristin
Kristin has a PhD in psychology from UCLA, specifically in cognitive neuroscience, which is the Western scientific study of the biological basis of sensory-perceptual experience and mental processes such as attention, memory and language. Within this framework, as a full-time tenured college professor, she studied and taught about mind-body relationships for more than 10 years. To balance the rational-analytic/Western approach to understanding the mind, as well as the demands of a professional career, Kristin maintained a personal yoga/meditation practice, a deep interest in helping people one-on-one (much of which came from her experience mentoring students), and a strong desire to understand consciousness experientially rather than abstractly. This, and her background with ceramic art, quite naturally led her to the study of massage; on a sabbatical from teaching, she pursued bodywork training at the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage in Albany, NY, and is now a Licensed Massage Therapist in Arizona and New York state, focusing on myofascial release and techniques involving the energy systems of the body. Around the same time she was opening up to bodywork, Kristin completed a teacher training program in vinyasa yoga, and began to dive into the slower, spacious and delightfully mysterious and surprising worlds of yin yoga and yoga nidra. Kristin now uses her voice to guide these practices of inner connection as a yoga instructor, in addition to continuing to teach about cognition and the senses part-time in the world of higher education. In her bodywork practice, informed by her studies in all these areas, she is honored to hold a space for people on their paths to health, clarity, and peace. Her intention in all areas is to be available to support and embody empowered, expanded, grounded, compassionate awareness... it all comes down to consciousness!
Credentials, certifications, trainings, etc.
Bodywork and energywork
Distance Healing Academy, Life Energy Institute (117 hours) - ongoing
Advanced Unwinding (myofascial release seminar with John Barnes, 20 hours) - 2021
Polarity Immersion (craniosacral unwinding course with Gary Strauss, 8 hours) - 2021
Craniosacral Unwinding I (craniosacral unwinding course with Gary Strauss, 16 hours) - 2020
Holding Space (craniosacral unwinding course with Gary Strauss, 16 hours) - 2020
Biodynamic Basics (Turtle Back Craniosacral Education with Margery Chessare, 26 hours) - 2020
Subtle Energy I (therapeutic touch seminar with Peggy Fuhs, 12 hours) - 2019
Cervical-Thoracic (myofascial release seminar with John Barnes, 20 hours) - 2019
Fascial Pelvis (myofascial release seminar, 20 hours) - 2019
Myofascial Release Skill Enhancement Seminar (supervised training at Malvern, PA MFR center, 40 hours) - 2019
Myofascial Release II (myofascial release seminar with John Barnes, 20 hours) - 2019
Myofascial Unwinding (myofascial release seminar with John Barnes, 20 hours) - 2019
Myofascial Release I (myofascial release seminar with John Barnes, 20 hours) - 2019
New York State Licensed Massage Therapist, and FSMTB Certification (MBLEX exam) - 2018
Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage (Certificate of Completion of massage program,1050 hours) - 2018
Reiki Levels I & II training and attunements - 2017
Yoga, meditation, plant medicine... and psychology
iRest Yoga Nidra Level 1 Teacher - 2021
Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine - Herbal Medicine Making (Certificate of Completion, 150 hours) - 2021
Yin Yoga Teacher Training Module 1 (with Biff Mithoefer, 50 hours) - 2018
Introduction to Yin Yoga (with Biff Mithoefer, 10.5 hours) - 2018
200-hour Teacher Training in Vinyasa Yoga (BeBhakti Yoga Center) - 2018
NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Behavioral Neuroscience - 2009-2010
PhD in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience), UCLA - 2009
BA in Psychology, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts - 2004