they / them / theirs
Scorpio ☀︎ Pisces ☾ Capricorn ↑
MEET CAM
My fascination with the human experience emerged as a child and continues to grow. What does it mean to be present within our bodies in a world that pulls at our very being?
I invite you to explore what it means to be embodied. For most of us, being present within our bodies feels foreign or unsafe. Either we’re trapped in our mind severed from our body, or exist entirely elsewhere. My goal is to help you bridge that gap. My goal is for you to arrive back into your body.
I strive to provide a comfortable space for trauma survivors and those within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Birthing Advocacy Doula Training
Childbirth Educator *current
Education
Zen Shiatsu - Evanston, IL
Shiatsu Therapy Diploma (520 hrs)
AOBTA Certified Practitioner
SOMA Institute - Chicago, IL
Clinical Massage Therapy Diploma, Valedictorian (750 hrs)
Sports Massage Certification
Sara Lyon - Glow Birth & Body
Prenatal, Postpartum & Moon Cycle Massage (20 hrs)
Touch of Empathy: Grief Massage (20 hrs)
Randy Cummins - Black Swan Bodywork
Shiatsu Table Work II (14 hrs) *upcoming
The Space In Between (7 hrs) *upcoming
Craniosacral Therapy - Essentials; Cranial Bones and Sutures; Facial Bones & Sutures (36 hrs)
Biodynamics Master Class: The Power of Your Potency (24 hrs)
Craniosacral Therapy - Level Four Intensive Retreat *upcoming
Rich Gaumun & Michelle Rassner Cash
Ceremonial Sound Healing (12 hrs)
Rosśa Crean
Usui Reiki I (12 hrs)
Usui Reiki II (12 hrs)
Ronica Perez - Natural Healing Center
Karuna Reiki I (15 hrs)
Om Yoga - NYC
Vinyasa Yoga Training (200 hrs)
Katonah Yoga
Katonah Yoga Mentorship (50 hrs)
Anneke Lucas, Liberation Prison Yoga
Trauma-Informed Yoga Training (16 hrs)
Alex Williams, First Curve Apothecary
Greenspell Bioregional Herbal Apprenticeship (75 hrs)
Tammi Sweet - Heartstone Center
All Things Topical Herbalism Course (12 hrs)
APPROACH
We store emotion in our bodies. When emotions are unable to live out their full life cycle either from an inability to express/identify the emotion or not feeling safe/comfortable to do so, the body stores its imprint elsewhere as a protection mechanism. This is not a conscious process–we don’t tell our bodies where to store which emotions. However, if they were painful to sit with initially, the body will direct our attention elsewhere once those emotions find their new home. In the process, we may lose our connection to that part of our body.
Our breath is the connection to the present. Breath circulates our chi. Breath responds to our environment and communicates to our nervous system.
We exist simultaneously in many realms and can become stuck in realms outside of the present when the connection to our breath is disrupted. Exploration of breath patterns and implementation of a breathwork practice is paramount. Healing happens in the present.
The diaphragm is the most core muscle in our body and impacts every surrounding structure. As the diaphragm inhales and contracts, it moves downwards and gives more space for the lungs to expand, signaling our body to contract as well as prepare for a sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight/freeze). As the diaphragm exhales and relaxes, it moves upwards and leaves less room in the thoracic cage, preparing the body for the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest).
Throughout our sessions, we will discuss your breath–the connection to your breath, the flow throughout your body, and how/why to breathe through the initial discomfort. By consciously sending our breath to areas of tension, we re-oxygenate areas of our body we’ve long abandoned. While breath is a tool, it is not a sign of consent–I will never ask you to withstand discomfort that is beyond your threshold.
I wholeheartedly believe that by bringing attention to our breath, an automatic subconscious act, we can begin to bring our attention to other survival mechanisms we’ve gathered that no longer serve us, as well as draw awareness to how our bodies have compensated for storing deep emotion. Breath is the key to unlocking the door to living embodied.
about
I have always been sensitive to energy. The energy in objects, people, and spaces I’d occupy helped me discern how to navigate the world growing up.
From ages six to eight I’d collect special rocks at recess, stuff them in my pockets and bring them home to arrange them intricately in my room. I would paint a few and set up shop at the end of my driveway, hoping others could also see how special they were.
Thrifting in middle school was not just about the aesthetic, but the feeling. All these abandoned items stored emotion from their previous owners was sensorily thrilling. I would creep into my parents and siblings' closets and sneakily borrow items that screamed for my attention–it wasn’t my fault it was their absolute favorite items! There was something so comforting about wearing a piece of their love.
I cared deeply, and took on a lot of emotional responsibility for those around me, and would habitually attune myself to their emotions in an attempt to anticipate our interaction. The energy and emotion stored in objects taught me how to reflect upon my emotions internally, within relationships, and that which was stored in my body.
Most of the time while young, my feelings and emotions were not my own. I had no idea how to manage this and felt its weight more often than I’d admit. Somewhere buried deep beneath others' emotions was me, but I couldn’t always quite locate myself.
At age fifteen I taught myself yoga and truly experienced what being in my body felt like. Through intentional breath and movement, I began my embodiment journey.
As I grew older I learned more and sought out the tools and mentors that would help guide me to the path I’m on today. It’s been over a decade since I have truly taken up residence within my body. I consider myself lucky to have sought embodiment so young and know this is but the beginning.
Everyone has the ability to lean into themself, truly occupy their body, and become intimate with their intuition. However, no one can force or convince you of it. You are your own greatest healer. Anyone can show you the door but only you have the key to open it. With energetic permission, we can nurture areas that have held chronic and deep emotions.
In life, we swim in a constant and fluid movement of change. Healing is cyclical, continuous, and ever-moving. Our goal is to simply support the process.