I'm 42, fit and getting fitter. Raised in a college and farming community in mid-America. I moved halfway across the USA to Arizona from home at 21 to work as part of a wellness team in an early industry-leading destination spa. My professions hold my values. Massage Therapy, yoga, skin care, and teaching. I teach stress reduction and ethics for bodyworkers at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. I also own a successful massage therapy and skin care business for the last 9 years, Toni’s Healing Arts. One of my special modalities is unique: Ashiatsu. It's when I use bars on the ceiling for support and do the deep massage expertly with my feet. In 25 years I've really honed and diversified many bodywork modalities, but one of my favorites is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. Basically, LIGHT touch can heal. It is recognizing the Fluid Body of another person and holding or inviting space for the undulating & unwinding currents within. I knew I wanted to be a massage therapist at 14, and it seems my whole life has been about cultivating safe, professional, intuitive touch.
I don't smoke cigs and have no special diet, just generally try to make healthy choices.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm getting divorced after 2 good years of marriage to a good, sweet man. I am traveling to find myself again. It's a simple divorce- no kids and we're very mature about it. After much honesty, we've realized we want different things out of this life and the kindest thing to do at this point is set each other free. I was originally supposed to be traveling with another woman, but that fell through. I've been informed "something beautiful is coming" and to stay serene. Because really, I'm like a wellness spa in one person. I've always had a fondness for the sweet people of New Zealand and am excited to visit your country! ....as well as a newly-minted continent, as I understand it's been recently recognized as Earth’s eighth.

Interests

• burningman
• yoga
• massage therapy
• hiking
• kiwiburn
• forming community

Music, Movies, and Books

So lately I've been into the strong female singers- I saw Lady GaGa's show in Las Vegas and the energy in that stadium made my heart magnify into the atmosphere. A Pink concert is somewhere on the horizon. Lorde has also inspired. Florence and the Machine, Ani DiFranco, Stevie Nicks. I still like classics, like the Eagles and Tom Petty. Blues can be therapeutic when you've got 'em. Chill is sublime ~Desert Dwellers, Sneaker Pimps. Massive Attack and the like. Trevor Hall, the Dylan for my breed. Not a fan of country. Sometimes I listen to rap to bring out my inner BadAssery. Oh, and my truest heart is with Deva Premal, always.
Top 3 Movies in order: True Romance, Almost Famous, Run Lola, Run.
Books- Illusions by Bach, Stillness by Charles Ridley, Craniosacral Biodynamics by Sills. Barbarian Days, about surfing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

On a recent private rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, a group ahead of us had a woman who had taken on and swallowed a lot of water. Her lymph nodes in her neck were overwhelmed and swollen to the point it looked like a goiter. I did manual lymphatic drainage on her for 90min which got the swelling way down. Later that day, they met us up ahead by saving an expressed desired campground for our group. She was back to normal, and did not need a medical evac. She remembered the name of my business, and sent me a beautiful red silk scarf and purse. I love them both.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to learn more about the Maory culture.
I'm also planning some treks and would appreciate any advice.
I'm not the best cook, but I'll try.
I can teach all 10 steps of a classic Europran facial and help with skin care questions.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I clean up after myself; Actually I love doing dishes. What do you need? I can take your pet for a walk? Let me be helpful. Also, I can share some pretty mantras, some yoga or an amazing foot massage while we talk.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, England, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Thailand