Mellie Artema
I came into this world energetically sensitive and naturally aligned with a kind of language that goes deeper than words. I have always had a profound interest in holistic ways of seeing and exploring the human experience.
I became fascinated by the human body and the world around me as a child and began diligently studying herbal medicine, learning to identify plants, practicing reflexology, and studying everything I could find related to holistic healing in the late 1980's. I found yoga in 1993 which sparked my love for embodiment practices. I have continued to develop and focus my skills through the present, extensively studying, practicing, and integrating numerous healing modalities into my own life for both personal and professional development. I have studied dozens of bodywork styles, energy medicine modalities, acupuncture techniques, trauma healing approaches, and methods of working with plant medicine with many prominent acupuncturists, herbalists, bodyworkers, qigong masters, shamanic practitioners, psychotherapists, anthropologists, and other integrative healing professionals across the globe. My professional background is heavily focused on wellness and healing arts, providing body-centered therapies, services, and education to promote holistic ways of thinking, building self-awareness, and creating conscious personal growth. My work uses multiple, eclectic modalities to offer opportunities to slow down, connect, reflect, learn, holistically process, and expand our human experience. |
I use a collaborative, heart-centered approach, encouraging taking action in support of one's own well-being while also honoring mystery, paradox, less "doing," and the more intangible and subtle ways in which personal growth, transformation, and integration happens. I tend to attract people who identify as empathic, introverted, highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or trauma survivors. Sessions are offered through the lenses of somatics, bioenergetics, acupuncture theory, transpersonal psychology, yoga philosophy, and other integrated perspectives. I offer supports that may utilize concepts from somatic practices, bodywork & energy medicine, Eastern methodologies, peer support values, and soul tending from a grounded, body-based framework.
While I love learning, I also acknowledge that our education systems are broken and unhealthy in many ways. I have an even greater appreciation for lived experience, integration and reflection work, contemplative practices, and intentional personal growth work. It is this kind of consistent and ongoing work that allows us to truly gain wisdom through experiencing the wholeness of our humanity. I love exploring ideas and finding the common threads across modalities. Formal education can enrich these experiences but can never be a substitute for them. My areas of formal academic studies include current graduate studies in Spiritual Direction and Eco-Justice, a master's degree in Acupuncture with a specialization in Eastern Medicine Psychology, and a bachelor's degree in Integrative Health in Human Services.
I am opposed to the regulation of wisdom traditions and associated healing practices that are based on energy medicine, spirituality, cultivating connection and relationship with nature, etc. I opt to no longer be a part of supporting regulating agencies. For many years, I jumped through the hoops of maintaining professional licensures and certifications. My education is extensive and I have gratitude for the solid foundation I gained via that route. I also recognize the fragmentation these systems emphasize and their deep roots in racism, ableism, classism, etc.
I now choose to do my work in the world through offering services as an unlicensed mentor, educator, companion, and energy medicine practitioner to support the reemergence of the feminine aspects of healing, community, and care that refuses to be regulated.
While I love learning, I also acknowledge that our education systems are broken and unhealthy in many ways. I have an even greater appreciation for lived experience, integration and reflection work, contemplative practices, and intentional personal growth work. It is this kind of consistent and ongoing work that allows us to truly gain wisdom through experiencing the wholeness of our humanity. I love exploring ideas and finding the common threads across modalities. Formal education can enrich these experiences but can never be a substitute for them. My areas of formal academic studies include current graduate studies in Spiritual Direction and Eco-Justice, a master's degree in Acupuncture with a specialization in Eastern Medicine Psychology, and a bachelor's degree in Integrative Health in Human Services.
I am opposed to the regulation of wisdom traditions and associated healing practices that are based on energy medicine, spirituality, cultivating connection and relationship with nature, etc. I opt to no longer be a part of supporting regulating agencies. For many years, I jumped through the hoops of maintaining professional licensures and certifications. My education is extensive and I have gratitude for the solid foundation I gained via that route. I also recognize the fragmentation these systems emphasize and their deep roots in racism, ableism, classism, etc.
I now choose to do my work in the world through offering services as an unlicensed mentor, educator, companion, and energy medicine practitioner to support the reemergence of the feminine aspects of healing, community, and care that refuses to be regulated.
Here is more of my info that might give you a good idea about whether we would be a good fit working together.
- Astrology: Virgo Sun, Virgo Moon, Aquarius Ascendant
- Enneagram: 5w4
- Human Design: Manifesting Generator
- Gene Keys: My Life's Work - 59, My Evolution - 55, My Radiance - 20, My Purpose - 34
- Myers-Briggs: INFJ
Thanking My Teachers
I want to honor some of the teachers, modalities, values, and organizations that have positively impacted my work over the decades. I include this information to pay respect to them as they've shaped my own path and to also provide resources for you, if you are in a place of wishing to expand your knowledge base.
Bodywork & Massage
Energy Medicine
Yoga, Somatics, Movement, Embodiment Practices & Trauma Care
Spirituality
Peer Support Values
Creativity Practices
Nutrition & Wellness
Plant Medicine
Bodywork & Massage
- Heartwood Institute of Integrative Medicine
- Upledger Institute, CranioSacral Therapy
- Dr. Aline LaPierre, NeuroAffective Touch®
- Zero Balancing Health Association
- Bowen Therapy
- Reflexology
- TuiNa Chinese Medical Massage
- Thai Yoga Bodywork
Energy Medicine
- Dr. Alberto Villoldo, Marcela Lobos & The Four Winds Light Body School
- Munay-Ki Rites (more info here)
- Pranic Healing®, Dr. Jason Calva, Chandan Parameswara, Master Stephen Co, Kim Fantini
- Formal Acupuncture Training
- Lorie Eve Dechar, Alchemical Acupuncture
- Esoteric Acupuncture
- Jin Shin Jyutsu
- Cyndi Dale
- Bruce Burger, Polarity Therapy
- Master Chunyi Lin, Spring Forest Qigong
- Reiki
Yoga, Somatics, Movement, Embodiment Practices & Trauma Care
- Thomas Hübl
- Jean McClelland
- Somatic Experiencing®
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Dr. Aimie Apigian
- Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Body-Mind Centering®
- HeartMath
- Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
- Dr. Diane Poole Heller
- River Flow Yoga
- Viniyoga
- Tantra Yoga
- Sun Moon Yoga
Spirituality
- Formal Spiritual Direction & Eco-Justice Studies
- One Spirit Learning Alliance, Interspiritual Seminary
- Interspirituality Values
- Academy of Inner Science
- DeShannon Barnes-Bowen
- Woman Stands Shining, Pat McCabe
- Rev. Dr. Diane Rooney
- The Theosophical Society in America
- The Theosophical Society's Free Self-Study Courses
- Minneapolis Theosophical Society
- Online School of Theosophy
- Theosophy: An Introductory Study Course, John Algeo, Ph.D.
- Elisabeth Kubler Ross Foundation
- Lunea Weatherstone, Sisterhood of the Silver Branch
- Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids
- Ancient Order of Druids in America
- Ron Moor, Interfaith Ministry Studies
Peer Support Values
- Wildflower Alliance
- Wisconsin Peer Support Specialists
- Intentional Peer Support
- Hearing Voices Network
- Alternatives to Suicide / More About the Alternatives to Suicide Approach
- Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Creativity Practices
Nutrition & Wellness
Plant Medicine