Hello Bodyworkers, We met on May 19 at Whitefish Wellness - thank you Kaia Van Natta! (https://www.whitefishwellness.com) Two things to be prepared for at the October meeting (I'm trying to be brief, please read this!): 1) We begin each meeting with introductions and we want to use this time to work on our "30 second Elevator Pitch". In the words of an attendee, start with a bullet point pitch and if people are interested they will ask for the essay version (not the other way around!). Include: Your Name, Name & Location of your business, your profession (what you are certified/trained in), and the 1-3 modalities that separate you from the pack. Time yourself because we will! 2) We seem to want to represent ourselves more accurately and possibly rethink our focus but we're not sure how to proceed. Here is our lineage: this group began as a supervision group for massage therapists. Someone supervised to make sure each attendee had time to present his/her issues and get accurate guidance on them (ethics, licensure, etc.). Other types of practitioners expressed an interest in attending so we could all network and know who was in the valley. So, we devoted 1 hour of the meeting for networking with all who wanted to attend and the other hour for massage therapists to meet and discuss their issues. We have gotten away from both of those formats and there was discussion on how to proceed. This will effect and is related to: a Facebook page for the group (Healing Artists of Northwest Montana) and the website Kaia developed for us to advertise on so that there would be a directory of wellness practitioners in the valley (www.flatheadbodworkers.com). Please think about this and either email feedback or be prepared to discuss at the October meeting. a) Keep in mind that no one is in charge, there are no dues, there are no officers. b) This group has survived, while others have disappeared. c) We might be the only group available for wellness practitioners to network with. d) Do we want to continue as we are? e) Do we want to have a mission statement? f) Do we want to dedicate 1 hour to networking for any wellness practitioner that wants to attend and then have 1 hour breakout sessions? We could work on the breakout sessions: people who work on physical structures of the body vs. those who work on the soul and emotions? This might change based on who is in attendance at each meeting. g) Are people not involved with this group because the name of the group is misleading? h) Do we then change the name of the website and the Facebook page to reflect this? Flathead Valley Wellness Practitioners? Other things we talked about: http://www.whitefishwellness.com Kaia Van Natta is offering classes on Cupping, Hot/Cold Stone massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy and more. Get your CEUs! Also, contact Kaia to advertise your business on http://www.flatheadbodyworkers.com. Business owners, please link to this site! http://www.YourSoulSupport.com Barbara Schiffman has a workshop on Akashic Records on June 11/12 in Whitefish. Call her (747-238-0038) to join her "meet up group" and advertise events there as well (meet up.com/akashic-flathead. www.earthlyinsights.com Kimberly Fisher is hosting a Fall Equinox Retreat in Essex Sept 23-25. Her Power of Eight Meditation Group meets on third Wednesdays in Whitefish and is a free community healing service! https://acousticbeing.com Cori Gow is hosting some gatherings at the Healing Path in Kalispell. Dream Share & Interpretation is on first Fridays from 6-8 pm and third Saturdays from 11-1. Card Reading is the third Saturdays from 2-4 pm. Businesses are expanding - lots of new hires, moving into larger spaces, etc. An indication of how the valley is growing and the types of healthcare people are seeking. Since this meeting was right before the Summer rush attendees shared self care techniques to fortify, ground, and support. Thanks to Kimberly Fisher for giving us, 'Seeds of Possibility" - wildflower seeds with quotes and Ayurvedic info on the packets. Our 3 annual meetings are the 3rd Thursday of February, May and October from 6-8 pm. Location varies on who offers to host and I send out email announcements about 3 weeks prior to a meeting. Mark your calendars now! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!! Penny Capps

Hello Bodyworkers, My meeting summaries are usually short but this is a lengthy one because there is a lot going on. Please read the entire email because it will answer questions you have asked. 1) Kimberly Fisher hosted our annual February meeting on Feb 17 - thanks Kimberly! Kaia Van Natta (https://www.whitefishwellness.com) will host our May 19 meeting - thanks Kaia! I will send out a notice at the beginning of May. This meeting will be right before the Summer rush so perhaps we can use it to fortify, ground, and support ourselves. Maybe a 1 minute meditation, snacks to share, your favorite self care idea, etc. Our meetings are on the 3rd Thursday of February, May, and October from 6-8 pm. The only thing that changes is the location so you can add these to your calendar today! 2) http://www.flatheadbodyworkers.com domain is up for renewal at the end of 2022. We decided not to renew it unless more people participate in the directory space that Kaia so kindly made available to us. Our group expressed an interest in creating a directory of wellness practitioners in the Flathead Valley so Kaia created this website. It is a great deal at $50/year - you get ad space, blog space, and a private forum for those listed in the directory. Since it is not tied to a social media platform (such as Facebook) it is accessible to all and should have longevity and not be controversial. There are currently a handful of practitioners listed - look at the variety of ways you can advertise. If you want to participate give Kaia Van Natta $50 (check payable to Whitefish Wellness, 913 Wisconsin Avenue #103, Whitefish, MT 59937), or PayPal (@whitefishwellness), or cash always works! Give her the info you want displayed. This info can be a 3" x 8" ad/banner you've already prepared or the usual contact info (your name, business name, phone number, email address, website to link to, logo, services offered, etc.). Contact Kaia with questions (whitefishwellness@gmail.com or 406-212-9014). Also, BUSINESS OWNERS - PLEASE LINK TO THIS WEBSITE! 3) Education opportunities: - Kaia has a lot of exciting classes coming up including hot/cold stone, cupping, Cranial Sacral Therapy, and the Pelvis. https://www.whitefishwellness.com/ceu-classes - Kimberly Fisher will be teaching Reiki Level I THIS SUNDAY! https://www.earthlyinsights.com/general-6-5 4) Cassandra Loveless (https://www.cloveliness.com) was invited to our meeting to tell us about her admin/tech support. She has created videos and online tutorials for some of our bodyworkers, as well as given them a Tik Tok and Facebook presence. She is also offering an online class, "Shape Your Dream Life with the Moon Cycle". 5) Jessica Cooney, LMY (jessicacooney@outlook.com, 406-471-1019, http://www.whitefishlakemassage.com will be opening Vibe: Wellness Lounge in May under the Togery in Whitefish. There will be 6 treatment rooms, lounge, washer/dryer, storage space, break room, etc. Contact her if you are interested in sharing space. 6) Barbara Schiffman will be working with Yoga Hive in Whitefish to offer, New Moon Collective, a Monthly Women's Circle of Light (https://www.yogahivemontana.com/new-moon-collective.html#/). They have a Zoom option for this gathering. 7) Kimberly Fisher (www.earthlyinsights.com) is offering a free service to the community called, "The Power of 8 Meditation". It is a monthly event and the next one is March 6 at 6 pm. 8) Monika Puglielli (Eden Energy Practitioner) is teaching, "Inflammation, the Shadow Behind Health" on March 26 at Relics Retreat in Eureka ( https://www.relicsretreats.com/retreats). 9) PLEASE use this latest email distribution because it has new names and others have been removed per the requests of the individuals. I hope I didn't forget anything important. If I did, you can dock my pay:) See you in May! Penny Capps

Meeting Minutes, October 2021 The Bodyworkers of the Flathead met on October 21 at the Meridian office building in Kalispell. Gina Landon, of Healing Spirits, reserved a conference room for us (and provided snacks!) - thank you Gina! Here are some highlights: Kimberly Fisher is new to our group and is a Reiki Master and Ayurvedic Energy Healing Practitioner. She works with people and animals and some veterinarians in the valley. She is starting a, "Power of 8" meditation group to meet 1/month at her office. This is an intention based small group meeting and anyone can do it. Contact her if you are interested (earthlyinsights@gmail.com, 406-909-0453, http://www.earthlyinsights.com). Jessica Akers, LMT at Whitefish Wellness told us about a book that was free on Kindle last week and is now available on Amazon for $9 BACH FLOWER REMEDIES AND PTSD: How to Use Bach Flower Remedies for PTSD by Helen Hess. I just ordered it - thank you Jessica! Barbara Schiffman (YourLifeandSoul@gmail.com, 747-238-0038) is looking for a space to conduct a weekend workshop. She'll pay for the space or invite you to the workshop (free is always nice too!). Contact her to discuss details. Barbara is a certified hypnotherapist and works with Akashic Records (Edgar Cayce). Robin Brooks has taken over Fifth Avenue Massage in Whitefish from Wendy Lee. I feel like we should have a party to celebrate the passing of the torch from one great practitioner to another! FYI, Fifth Avenue Massage has 4 massage therapists and an esthetician that does more clinical skin care than spa facials. She is interested in hiring 1-2 part time massage therapists. The next meeting will be Feb 17 (Thursday) from 6-8 pm at Kimberly's office in Whitefish. I'll email details for the meeting on Feb 1. Penny

LOCATION CHANGE! Due to potential cold/wind/rain, meeting has been moved to an indoor location - Flathead Massage Professionals, 191 Jewel Basin Court, Suite 3A, Bigfork. We have met here once before and it is the business of Lori Loucakis. Hope to see you there! 6pm

Summary of Flathead Bodyworkers meeting February 18, 2021 11 people attended our meeting hosted by Mary Gold at Cieba Healing Center in Kalispell. Mary, thanks again for letting us meet in your lovely space! Next meeting is May 20, from 6-8 pm, location TBD. I know this is a lengthy email but I want to address questions you have contacted me with. 1) Exciting news about the directory of practitioners! Opportunity: You’ve heard the quote by R.S. Grey, “She thought she could, so she did.” Well, Kaia Van Natta did! She has created www.flatheadbodyworkers.com. The cost is $50/year to list your business, links to your website, your logo, etc. Go to the website for more info or contact Kaia at 406-212-9014 or whitefishwellness@gmail.com. Thank you Kaia! Kaia for Wellness President! Opportunity: Anna Faith has massive momentum on creating the Flathead Wellness Collective (today the Flathead Valley, tomorrow Montana!). The goal is a high-end, interactive website to connect clients with practitioners, educate people on modalities, and provide financial support for those who can’t afford uninsured wellness sessions. The provider/practitioner membership gives them a page to describe their work, show an interview video, link to their other websites, opportunities for vendor discounts. This funds the creation and maintenance of the website. There would be levels of client membership and they would vary by cost, number of practitioners they gain access to, discounts they receive. The vendor membership would give vendors a captive audience and would give others discounts on massage products, CEUs, gift cards, etc. Moneys generated by this collective fund those who can’t afford uninsured treatment. There is a lot to this website and I don’t know that I’ve done it justice. I was surprised that the number of members to make it sustainable and estimated costs are not unreasonable so I am looking forward to seeing this! Anyone wanting more detail right now or willing to give Anna some feedback as she moves forward can contact her at annafaith@flatheadwellnesscollective.com Opportunity: Jonathon Robinson (734-234-2859) called me shortly before our meeting to talk about www.daocloud.com. We are apparently on a roll because a lot of energy is being drawn to us around the directory! Check it out and call Jonathon with an questions. It seems you can connect with a practitioner, take a quiz to see what type of practitioner you need, talk with a live scheduling assistant, have phone consultations, etc. They are partnered with the Naturopathic Association and Maryland University Integrative Health. I apologize to Danielle Ruther. She did not get my email about the meeting and wanted to attend. She attended our last meeting and helped us brainstorm about a directory. She is developing a directory of postpartum resources in case any of you have something to suggest to her. Also, she can do all that stuff that a lot of bodyworkers/healers don’t want to do (accounting, marketing, websites) danielle@cantyoujustdoitforme.com Mary Gold will be offering continuing ed at her Ceiba Healing Center. 406-360-3846, www.ceibahealingcenter.com Opportunity: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy 2 year course beginning September 2021. For more details go to www.bodyintelligence.com Opportunity: Terry Lee will teach a 500 hour program in Ortho-bionomy in early May. Details will be available on www.ortho-bionomy.org - Penny Caps