Heart to Hand

The Astral Body *LIVE* gathering for Aries season is happening this Sunday! As the first astrological sign in the zodiacal calendar, Aries is often referred to as the ‘spark of life’. Imbued with the creative energy which is required to birth something into being, Aries is akin to bringing something into form from formlessness. Creating something new from nothing. The Big Bang. Drawing life forward from the void requires an immense amount of unbridled energy, something Arie...s certainly embodies with an explosive, fiery quality. It is this very essence that birthed the galaxies into being and leads the ram headlong at full speed into a willful charge. ~excerpt from this month’s Astral Body issue. Astral Body *LIVE* is free to all subscribers or $25 for nonsubscribers. This is a great opportunity to see what Astral Body is all about and connect with others as we bridge astrology & somatics. Aries rules the head, so our time together will include somatic practices to support the brain & bones of the cranium, guided self-massage of the face & scalp, as well as guided meditation, breathwork, Tarot, & journal prompts to help draw you more fully into an embodied experience of the current cosmology. Scroll through for more info & join us for a somatic journey through the zodiac.

Going *LIVE* on Instagram to share some story, share some therapeutic touch, and share some ideas about how to support your body holistically throughout the process of vaccination. We’ll move through a brief guided lymphatic self-massage to help prevent &/or treat any overly robust immune responses related to the vaccine. We’ll discuss ways to access the vaccine itself, as well as reports of increased inflammation in the lymph nodes; resulting in false positives during mammogram breast imaging (and how to safely keep this from happening to you). Plus, some specific minerals, botanicals, & fungi to consider bookend-ing your vaccine with. Bring your hearts, your hands, your questions, and an open mind!

Blessed Equinox to you! Spring has sprung in the Northern Hemisphere and with it we are entering a new zodiacal year. This turn of the astrological year marks the first birthday of my treasured creative & healing endeavor, Astral Body. Astral Body is a monthly subscription for each astrological sign & season through the lens of the body. Hours of pre-recorded lessons & written content focused on somatic practices of movement, self-massage, guided meditations and breath wo...rk with specific correlation to the current astrology. I have been kinesthetically tracking the stars and seasons, cultivating and developing this work for decades. It is immensely rewarding to witness the community of beautiful beings that have been called to this internal exploration and we would love to have you join. This new year brings with it the addition of a *LIVE* monthly gathering (!!!) so that, together, we may drop deeply into our bodies while expanding our understanding of astrology in a communal setting. We have constant access to an unending stream of cerebral information, including the exact planetary transit accompanying each of our daily horoscopes. Astral Body provides a practical way to ground all of that knowledge down into the body, transmuting it into wisdom. With intentional curiosity, we explore archetypal embodiment as it relates to our physical tissue; meaning Astral Body ultimately endeavors to support your physical health & wellbeing in imaginative [and ancient] ways. Come play with me!You know what to do. https://www.hearttohand.love/courses/astral-body

Postpartum nourishment. Bring the Mamas care. Show up to their doorsteps with all of the soups and the very best cookies. Prepare nutrient dense foods, herbal teas, & broths for blood building, milk making, & immunity support. ... Give them CBD foot massages to encourage fluid reabsorption and provide tender loving care, as she so selflessly feeds her babe (or babeS!!!) in arms for the twentieth time in one day. Wash the dishes in their sink and the soiled linens on their floor. Feed the dog and play outside with precious older siblings while Mama sleeps. The need for a village has never been more pressing, so I’m grateful to offer this type of #communitycare to families in small yet meaningful ways. For 18 years I joyfully attended women in active childbirth, providing therapeutic touch as they navigated the birth labyrinth time and time again. However, even before my cancer diagnosis, it was evident that this work was stretching my body and my own family beyond their limits. Once I was in the throes of a healing crisis, the choice to release this beloved aspect of my long career was clear. While I am still cautiously awaiting a safe postpandemic return to my treatment room & bodywork clients (many of whom are pregnant mothers), I’m elated to now fill my time and my heart with that oxytocin-floodin’ goodness of infant care & postpartum nourishment; transitioning my birthwork services in impactful ways that both protect and preserve my health & vitality while simultaneously doing the same for other mothers in my community. Once it is safe to do so, I will make these offerings more widely available. Until then, my basket is filled with goodies for just one family of treasured returning clients. That being said, you don’t need to be a trained professional to provide this type of sweetness to the loved ones in your life! This pandemic has required so very much of us mothers; raising our children in isolation while attempting to save our businesses, adapt our lifestyles, and supplement teaching from a distance. Check in on the mamas that you know, newly made or well seasoned. And most importantly, don’t forget the cookies.

The Holistic Breast Health Workshop is back! For those of you who missed it last fall or if you’d like to join me again (often we learn best by experiential repetition), the time has come. With much of the collective focus this month on LVE, let us intentionally extend that care & keeping of our bodies back onto oneself. This workshop is multi-faceted, in that you will learn how to effectively bring comfort & pleasure into a self-exam, in addition to a thoroughly deligh...tful guided self-massage of the lymphatic system (which many of my clients have folded into their daily self-care practices with incredibly impactful, health enhancing results!). This workshop is multi-generational for non-binary & female bodied participants. Scholarships available for BIPOC and mutual-aid organizations. You know where to find more info. https://www.hearttohand.love//holistic-breast-health-works

As a child of the 80s raised in the 90s, fantasies of being a published writer in high-end magazine spread were reeeeal.And here I am, a dream realized (and even surpassed), as the In Her Power issue of @mjlifestyle far exceeds any depth of media I was consuming in my youth. Also, Editor in Chief @jenniferskog rhymes with Vogue so... Truthfully, though. The stories, the imagery, the womxn, the vision. *swoon* Each piece has been beautifully written, each page exception...ally curated. I’ve been taking my time, tucking away with it for quiet moments of rumination. Each story seems to stand alone, cracking me open a little further with its grit, grace, and uniquity. A handful of print issues still remain and digital copies are also available. Have you received yours? Additionally, I’ll be guiding MJ’s first Experiential Workshop Series this Sunday, along with @treefemmecollective. Half of all proceeds are going to Healing In Action, an initiative which provides access to healing tools for vulnerable communities, community organizers, and organizations who tirelessly dedicate their lives to equity and justice. Join me through the link below and through the power of the printed word!

These last six months, unable to work in the ways which have historically been most meaningful to me [once again], have been filled with new ways of being. New ways of learning. New ways of teaching. Along with of all of these adaptations, a beautiful assemblage of the depth and diversity of my offerings has developed. Deepening my studies, working closely with clients (albeit remotely), and attuning to the layered needs of this time in ways that perhaps, hands-on work in my ...studio space would not achieve. I have refreshed and updated my website and writings to reflect these creative : adaptive developments & invite you to engage the material or reach out for the somatic support you may need. Today, #metastaticbreastcancerawarenessday I marvel at all that has transpired. What it feels like to inhabit this body now VS two years ago (or even one) on this very same day. How I am living proof of the shared benefits in community care and #communitysourcedhealing. Ultimately, that means for those of you that have witnessed it all, my triumph is not [solely] my own. It is also yours. My healing is not just for me, nor was it ever. My healing is also yours. One thing you won’t hear me say however, is, Can you believe it? Could you ever have imagined this outcome?. Why? Because, in truth, this outcome was exactly what I have imagined. I devotedly imagine it with precise specificity, day in and day out. Envisioning with deliberate clarity a lived existence where this cancer-course-correction would lead to a life far more equitable, sustainable, and healthful for the rest of my days. I’m grateful to be a person in constant adaptation, as it is evidence of our intrinsic ability to evolve. I’m grateful to be a person bringing visibility to emerging truths of living with #MBC because, just as in community sourced healing, it means we all get exposure to new stories of cancer survivorship. #illnessasally I always loved the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books and while I never would have knowingly chosen this story, make no mistake, that I have adapted and so can you. #breastcancerinitiate Link is https://www.hearttohand.love/ to scope that new new.

Devoting a great deal of time to reflection these days. Reflection on the person I’ve become since this image was captured two years ago. Devotion to remaining soft as I gaze upon the past. As I hold the pain, the fear, the loss, and the trauma which She boldly faced. Faced and, ultimately, transmuted. #superpower October is upon us and with it will likely come a deluge of #pinkwashing. The onslaught of a capitalistic narrative and hollow commodification of this life alteri...ng disease. While at times well intentioned, this narrative is desperately lacking in the rich multiplicity of survivors’ authentic experience. Perhaps, in this time of unprecedented division and polarization, the reminder that our stories are each profoundly nuanced will be of benefit. Throughout this season I’ll be sharing some of the individuals and organizations that I see doing good : true work in the world to effectively increase access to resources and research for #breastcancerawarenessmonth. Because purchasing a loaf of bread with a pink ribbon on it won’t expand your awareness of breast cancer. In fact, it just might perpetuate avoidant behavior around seeking out the tales of survivorship in your community or, more importantly, familiarizing yourself with your own physical terrain. I will be collaborating with several partnerships throughout October to center breast and lymphatic health at the intersection of medicinal cannabis and therapeutic touch. For now, be sure to #feelitonthefirst and check that hashtag to behold the beauty of nuance. #breastcancerinitiate #stageivaintnothingbutanumber #survivor #thriver #mbc #metastaticbreastcancer #stageivneedsmore #breasties #boobs #allboobsaregoodboobs #freethenipple #holistichealing #holistichealthpractitioner #cannabisismedicine #therapeutictouch #therapeuticmassage #breastmassage #selfmassage #selfexamination #selflove Photo by @erin___leigh

Hi there, hello. My name is Mandy and I’ve got some stories to share. One of the most compelling is about to be printed as a six page feature in a beautiful magazine publication of @mjlifestyle, which centers the voices of women in cannabis. Frankly, I’m in an extended state of awe to be included in this issue alongside many of the most respected physicians, activists, cultivators, and female led brands in the cannabis space. There are dozens of barriers which keep peo...ple from seeking out medicinal cannabis as a potential healing protocol; the long perpetuated societal stigma resulting from generations of anti-cannabis propaganda, the historic negligence and outright refusal of the federal government to acknowledge the scientifically proven medicinal properties of cannabis, the lack of education, the fear of persecution, the inconsistent laws across state and even municipal lines, and most importantly, the systemic racism which the prohibition and criminalization of cannabis was founded upon. The intent in writing my survival story as it relates to cannabis, being a 37 year old woman diagnosed with stage IV #metastaticbreastcancer is to hopefully, in some small way, de-stigmatize the therapeutic use and study of this multidimensional plant and sustainable resource. There is a limited quantity of the print edition and it will quickly sell out. If you would like to read my story alongside the wise words of many cannabis experts and change makers, please be sure to order through the link at @mjlifestyle NOW. https://www.mjlifestyle.com/buy-the-maga/pre-order-issue-04

It’s not lost on this #wordwitch that she’s a #CancerRising. In fact, I’m using that sacred~contract synchronicity EVERY DAY. Remember, as you continue to rapidly adapt to the changing world around you, that rising from the ashes of total destruction IS POSSIBLE. That rebuilding your life as you know it, reimagined and utterly transformed, can be done. Through examining patterns of thought/belief that we have come to know as truth. Through challenging statistical n...orms and status-quo systems. Through the devotional work of facing, accepting, and healing the inherited wounds and unpaid debts of our ancestors. Despite the pain and trauma of it all, this smile, this body, and this personhood are living proof that disillusionment can be a gift. The Crab carries her home with her wherever she goes, symbolically representing her inherent sense of belonging in this world. True, the day will come that she must courageously leave behind the structures she has safely existed within (yet outgrown). It it is in this act that Cancer teaches us how the development of our strength ultimately resides in our ability to become vulnerable. To expose ourselves to the elements in search of living conditions more hospitable to the trajectory of our personal growth and collective wellbeing. As she sheds the confines of her security the Crab is able to expand into spaciousness, evolving beyond the limitations of days past. Excerpt from this month’s Astral Body lesson, an ongoing study of astrology through the lens of the body. Somatic practices, guided meditations, and in-depth writings on how the zodiac can be reflected in your physical tissue. Join at anytime through https://www.heart-to-hand-school.thinkific.com #breastcancerinitiate #stageIVaintnothingbutanumber #styledforhealing #somaticastrology

Gentle medicine for tender hearts.

We are experiencing unprecedented touch deprivation. Unable to receive therapeutic contact, unable to safely embrace our friends and family, unable to meet this essential need of physical connection with another human being (aside from those we may live with). Join me tomorrow, Thursday 4/30 at 4:30pm, -LIVE on both Instagram & Facebook- as I demonstrate some easy and effective self-massage techniques. These 20-30 minutes will be specifically catered to ease the tension associated with repetitive use of phones and computers which we’re all engaging in (but can be applied to anywhere your body may be calling out for attentive touch). This is for all ages, all bodies, and will have you feeling well cared for by thy self. I look forward to touching in with you then.

Astral Body, my first ever online course, is now open for enrollment. !!! Touch into the innate wisdom of your senses while deepening your understanding of astrology. Connecting the microcosm of your earthly body to the macrocosm of the celestial bodies. These somatic practices, inspired by the zodiacal calendar, provide a tangible experience of energetic embodiment. Explore the realms of your inner space through simple, practical, guided movement and breath work exer...cises, along with self massage and sensory awareness meditations for each corresponding astrological season. As if sprinkling stardust upon an unseen path for you to follow, Astral Body softly beckons you home to the body. @corbettjulia #seasonalsomatics #astralbody You can find all of the details on this course in the Free Preview at https://heart-to-hand-school.thinkific.com/

Walking into my 39th year upon this earth, excited and ready to share an offering I have been crafting for many moons. ::Astral Body:: A somatic journey through the zodiac. An online course moving through each astrological season in relation to the body. Stay *attuned*, all the details are coming soon! www.hearttohand.love

Tender and tearful as today marks one year since these haunting images were seared into my retina. Some days are easier than others. Some pills are harder to swallow. Even so, I’ve spent the day in soft gratitude. Gratitude for the spiraling nature of time and healing. Gratitude for both the pleasure and the pain these breasts have endured. Gratitude for how far I’ve come. Gratitude for another year, another day, another breath upon this Earth. Gratitude for the innate wisdom of this body. Wisdom to repair, to regenerate, and to reconcile oneself. #grateful #breastcancerinitiate #stageIVaintnothingbutanumber May this serve as a motivating call to action on your own behalf! Be bold. Be brave. Be checking and tracking and touching and loving and thanking your breasts ritually.( )( ) If you feel something, DO something.

Just a friendly reminder on this hot summer’s night that you and I are far more alike than we are different. Not one single day has ever been promised and you don’t need to overcome a late stage diagnosis to live as if that’s reeeal.

July marked 10 years of offering healing services as a self employed business woman in my own studio space. (!!) 10 years of showing up for self : others through the modality of somatic bodywork. Birth, death, and life support (in the truest sense of the words). 10 years ago I took a leap of faith (faith in oneself!) with a soft round belly, six months pregnant with my eldest daughter. No longer willing to travel all over the county with a 50lb table or work under other prac...titioners (as I had for the 8.5 years prior), I chose to plant roots in my hometown as a sole proprietor. Creating a cozy cocoon for myself and my clients to go within and retreat from the fast paced rigors of the world meant creating a life and business model that would be sustainable for the long term. Sustainable for both my career longevity and for the well being of my family. These ten years have been filled to the brim with the rich life experiences that accompany this work. ::Witnessing humans in the process of healing.:: I am ever grateful to show up to suite 207, despite the challenging responsibilities of self employment, and I plan to show up for this work (in whatever unique ways it continues to move through me) for years to come. Consider this a win for all of the small creators out there, desiring to live in service while valuing the entirety of their gifts. Love y’all and am giddy with gratitude to stand on this milestone. Give a holler if you have received @heart_to_hand in the flesh! #massagefrommandy #seasonalsomatics See more

My return to somatic bodywork is official and my summer books are now open! After nine months of radical receiving and active healing, I must say, I am ELATED to return to a professional life of reciprocity. Serving and supporting the soft tissues and tender hearts of my clientele and community. Please anticipate that my hours of availability are limited and will book up. Scheduling in advance will be necessary to ensure your space. If you are not in the San Diego area but are interested in my offerings beyond massage services, Somatic Tarot readings are also available. I’m eager to work with all that feel called and am so very grateful to have another season of life to work within! #newmoon #newphase #newseason #seasonalsomatics of the lovely @shopvintageclectic on my table.