About Leonie: She has developed and facilitated workshops, professional seminars and retreats for over 30 years and facilitates from her Heart with warmth, a steady presence & a passion for being alive.
She began her role as a health educator in the early 80’s offering childbirth classes, this reflected her love of assisting women and their families through the powerful journey of birth.
A Registered Nurse since 1986, Leonie continues to offer her calm presence to birthing women at The Family Birth Center at St Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, WA.
In September 2015 Leonie graduated from the 120 hour, national board certified program: The Integrative Nurse, Life Coaching Program. Which blends integrative health, holistic nursing and life coaching.
Leonie is currently a faculty member at Harmony Hill Retreat Center in Union, WA. She has been affiliated with Harmony Hill for 13 years. Harmony Hill offers retreats at no-cost for people living with cancer and their companions and for people facing grief after the death of a loved one.
She is a certified 'Masters of Wisdom and Meditation Teacher' with author and internationally recognized wisdom teacher, davidji. www.davidji.com
To explore the healing potential of touch, Leonie has been a Washington State licensed massage practitioner since 1987.
In the 90’s Leonie was seeking a deeper expression of the art & science of nursing. This led her to a 3 year, comprehensive program in Holistic Nursing offered by Seeds & Bridges. She is a graduate of this program, and has continued her study and exploration of integrative health care, ever since. In the mid 90’s she began extensive study of Ayurveda, Meditation & Yoga with Deepak Chopra MD, David Simon MD and others through The Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA. In 1997 she completed certifications in ‘Primordial Sound Meditation’ and ‘Perfect Health, The Ayurvedic Lifestyle Program’. In 2011 she graduated from the Chopra Center's 200 hour 'Yoga Alliance' certified program: ‘The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga’.
For 14 years Leonie created and offered retreats for health care professionals in a variety of locations and forms. 'Embracing The Wisdom of Nursing' was attended by thousands of participants who experienced this unique approach to healing the healer with. She also trained and mentored facilitators for this program.
She created and for 8 years offered: 'Passionate Sadness', Living through and thriving beyond the death of your life partner. Sitting in circle with others on this difficult path powerfully informed Leonie as she began to explore, experience and develop a unique approach to grief. This continues to her work today as she begins to offer 'The Three PathWays of Grief' and 'Passionate Sadness, The Journey of Grief to Grace'.
In an expression of the powerful experience of Creativity, Ritual, Spirituality and Community, Leonie is a past member of the Advisory Council for 'The Temple Guardians' and is one of the co-founders/past directors of 'The Temple Guardian Camp' at Burning Man. Currently she is a core team member for 'The Temple Homage Camp' and is a Black Rock Ranger.
She is a past certified educator with The Birchtree Center for Healthcare Transformations in Florence, MA. and a founding member of 'VOICE for Healing in Healthcare' based in WA State.
Leonie is the past Administrative Director in India for PINCC (Prevention International No Cervical Cancer). PINCC provides clinics to screen and treat women for cervical cancer and offers education and training for local practitioners to create and support sustainable programs in South America, Africa & India.
"On this new version of my website, I let go of the 'initials' behind my name that I have spent my adult life gathering. It was time.
We do not get degrees or certifications for life experience and as I enter my 'Wise Woman' years, I know this:
Holding my Beloved husband Joe as he took last breath in our home, tending my mother as she declined to Alzheimer's and sitting in circle with people living with cancer has taught me about the Journey of a shattered Heart.
Traveling the Earth, walking diverse paths and looking into the eyes of people of many cultures, has taught me the deepest yearning of our Hearts, are the same.
Walking (at times crawling) my own Journey through the Three Path Ways of Grief Which are... The wounds, losses and unrealized dreams of our lives. Has taught me how to be fully alive... Now.
And all the while, walking with others... Has shown me the Amazing Grace of a willingness to show up, be vulnerable and listen to the voice of your own magnificent Heart Beat.
In all of my work I have had the honor to witness the remarkable and life affirming resilience of the human Heart & Spirit.
From this place... From my own Heart & Spirit... I am delighted to offer the programs of 'Embracing Wisdom'. I invite you to take a walk with me... Lets go exploring!"
Flowing Love & Blessings Your Way... Leonie
Listen to Leonie on 'Live from The SweetSpot' with davidji on Hay House Radio Integrating loss and the Three PathWays of Grief