"I love being of service to others. I love sharing what I know and helping anyone who asks. " Samana
Samana knew at age fourteen that she wanted to be in the healing professions. She remembers, “My best friend wanted to be a physical therapist so she could help people learn to walk again. That touched my heart and set me off on my path to become a physical therapist.”
Samana's friend became a nurse and she went on to study physical therapy at Marquette University. Samana graduated in 1988 with her Physical Therapy degree. "Physical therapy let me begin living my dream of assisting others to better health."
Over two decades later, Samana still employs this knowledge with her other practices. “I enjoy guiding others through education, exercise, and hands on therapy.” She reflects, “I love assisting others to their best state of strength and wellness.”
Minding My Business
Just because they can't do it doesn't mean it can't be done. It just means they don't know how. Never give up. - Samana
Samana had a chronic health issue that had continued for two years despite treatment from Western medicine. "I'd grown tired of not seeing the resolution I was looking for even though I was seeing 'the experts'." She began seeking alternatives. "I began to learn how the body and mind are so much more than what we experience on the outside.”
Samana became curious. "I wanted to know more about myself and what was going on inside of Me". She started taking classes in energy healing and meditation. Samana decided to dive in and entered a year long meditation program. “During that year, I learned to differentiate myself and what was in me from all I saw and experienced around me.” “I learned the power of meditation and stillness and began to meditate daily.” Samana still meditates everyday and considers it one of the cornerstones to her well-being and peace of mind.
Where Do You Go From Here?
I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to better understand the mind-body connection. - Samana
Yoga has been used in India for centuries for its healing benefits. It's been a daily part of Samana's life for almost a decade. “I began practicing yoga in 2002 and felt healthier and more in balance than I ever had.” Samana went on, “I was excited that yoga could help me feel so good. I wanted to know it at a level that would allow me share it with others.“ Samana completed an eight-month, 200 -hour yoga teacher training at Moksha Yoga in Chicago. She became a registered yoga instructor in 2003. “I found that by incorporating the yoga into my physical therapy practices, my clients achieved greatly improved results.” With a strong love for children and families, Samana decided to further her studies getting certified to teach children and family yoga in 2010." Family yoga is a great way for parents and kids to connect with each other and their bodies. I love teaching it."
Energy Work
I always believed the natural state of the body was health. Energy work allowed me to rebalance the body to its natural wisdom. - Samana
" I could facilitate shifts that allowed clients to heal quicker and easier. With the systems of BodyTalk and Accunect, I was able to get amazing healing results with my clients."
Samana started using the systems on herself and was able to resolve allergies, improve her menstrual cycles and feel more relaxed and focused. She saw her own health improve naturally and wanted to share this work. Samana became certified in BodyTalk in 2011. She continues to take seminars to deepen her knowledge and skills with energy work.
By incorporating her energy tools with her physical therapy, Samana saw her clients heal on levels of mind, body and spirit. Her clients quickly embraced the work and she decided to create her own business to share her passion. Specializing in family health was a natural fit for Samana with her specialty in family yoga.
Beyond Professional
Daily health practices aren't for putting on a show for others. They're for showing yourself 'I love me!' - Samana
Samana was born Sheri. She was given the name of Samana, which means balance, by a spiritual teacher. Samana believes the greatest health and happiness can occur when one cultivates balance in life.
“ I like to feel my best. Daily yoga, meditation, exercise and mindful eating help me to do this.”
Samana loves music. She has taken a variety of vocal, guitar, piano, and songwriting lessons. She has a gift for writing children’s songs, and uses them within her family and children’s yoga classes. “ I love working with families to help them to better connect within and with each other in playful ways."
"I believe that life is simply a playground to explore and experience everyday, to be savored and shared.”
Samana enjoys family time with her husband Joe, her stepchildren Isabelle and Ian, and their five cats.