Luana Cook

I began meditating in graduate school. It was a tool I found that was sometimes helpful and would sometimes bring relief. I continued to use mediation in this way, as a tool to help me with different things, getting licensed, having children, being less reactive. I continued to meditate this way for some time. It wasn't until I had my second daughter that I realized something was missing from my practice. Meditating for me was routine, cold, and often unpleasant. Although it had helped me with these different tasks, it did not address the emergence of a strong, negative critic that accompanied my daily life as I began to parent a 2 year old and newborn. The first time I used soothing touch, it was like coming in from the rain and stepping into a warm bath. I found it warmed parts of my soul that I did not know were hurting and aching. Since that point, I went on to get more training and expertise in this gentle practice. Meditation and connecting to the present moment no longer have the dryness they use to have for me, and if they do, I know am able to hold the experience with tenderness and understanding. Self-compassion practices have become THE practices I encourage loved ones, colleagues, clients, humans to pursue. I have found great joy in bringing these practices to people in the Sacramento area with my co-teacher and partner, Sean Cook.