On a recent trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan, I connected with two of my favorite healers of all time Julie Pies and Patti Mielziner of The Myofascial Experience. Throughout my healing journey, they have been two of the most influential women I have ever met. Being with them and working with them always renews my spirit.
When I was just opening AUM in 2015, I got involved in a movement in town to unite all the bodyworkers, healers, and therapists together. Needless to say, while the intentions to meet once a month were desired by many, this group never gained any traction nor did anything special as a whole. It was definitely a bummer BUT I did manage to maintain a connection to Julie and Patti and their healing business called Body Wisdom. Their field of expertise is Myofascial Release Therapy. They have studied and worked with the leading authority of this subject, the icon known as John F Barnes .
Wanting to get to know what they did at Body Wisdom on a more intimate level led me to get some work done myself. I remember the day I went for my first treatment, how cavalier I was. I had gotten a massage before, I thought it would be something like that, maybe a little more intense... I didn’t know.
First off, let me say that it’s a highly underrated experience and here’s why..
There’s TWO therapists working on you at the same time. That's four healing hands! The best part is that it's two women that are life partners providing this epic healing work in their sacred space. The container that they create together is transcendental because of how deeply connected they are to one another. Through a ton of experience doing this work, they’ve come to synchronize their movements, creating a magical flow of energy through and around the body of the person they are working with.
It’s the absolute best, completely underrated, and let me just add, nothing compares to it.
So when I got on their table and they began to work with me, I quickly realized that I was in for something different, unique, and so very special. I began to relax and breathe as they got to work.
They warmed up then started using their expert techniques on my left side, my “problem” side as I shared earlier with them during my initial consultation. They worked on my hip, then my mid back, then my shoulder, then my neck, working up and down the left side line fascia of my body. I was so uncomfortable as they pulled and pressed and moved me around. I started breathing deeper to try and release some of the discomfort I was feeling. They had found something and were systematically moving my body and their bodies around in tandem to release this long, tense, fascia pattern. They began to work on my neck. I hadn’t previously experienced any pain or discomfort there but something was starting to surface. They continued to methodically work my left side up and down, up and down, reaching my neck again. I had this lucid moment where I knew I was at the edge of something, a place I hadn’t been before. I didn’t think I could go on any further, the pain was mounting and I wanted to yell, “STOP, no more, I can’t take it!”. And then, at the threshold of my pain, I felt a “ping”, and my mind went “there it is”, as a rush of sensation flooded my body, sending me into a side lying contraction. I let out a throat clearing, primordial scream.
What the f*ck was that?
I had no time to think though, the tears started pouring from my eyes. Feeling held in this incredibly vulnerable moment by both Patti and Julie, they canvased my body with theirs. Wrapped up in the arms of two women, I laid there in the fetal position sobbing. I was safe to let go, so I did. I wailed until it just stopped.
Whatever it was, was gone.
After my session was over, we talked briefly about what had happened. I didn’t have many words, I was still processing the whole thing. I was raw from such a deep release. They validated my big emotions and suggested that I not try to over process with my mind what had just happened but instead allow myself the time to just feel and ground. I was so grateful.
I have spent the last decade studying and learning about different healing modalities and I have yet to come across another experience like theirs. It’s truly unique and what makes it so special is that it really works. The power of their work will change your life. It is that transformative. They have figured out a formula for their three, five and ten day intensives that truly maximizes the benefits and gifts of comprehensive physical therapy through myofascial release techniques, nature immersion, and the study of your past trauma, injuries, and life experiences.
While they see clients at their healing oasis, they coined the “Earth Lodge” in the upper peninsula of Michigan on the ineffable Lake Superior, they also travel to bring their incredible gifts to others.
If you are truly interested in shaking up your life, and I mean that with every cell of my being, this work is for you. You will undoubtedly turn a page, close a book, whatever you wanna call it. Their gifts will put you on a whole new course, set you off in a new direction, and give you the clarity and strength that you need to keep living and loving your life.
It’s so easy to get lost along the way to self discovery and healing, to pile more on, and to take more in. Through their work, Julie and Patti have taught me the power of the body and its incredible ability to heal and feel good. I use the lessons that I have learned from them often. I’m reminded to seek out quiet places to reconnect to my body and that there’s ecstasy and pleasure in letting go. - Melissa
For updates on Julie and Patti's work, follow them on Instagram.
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