"My dream of the Tengu Center came together in 2016 when I became a certified health coach through the American Council on Exercise. It was my initial vision to teach and coach students and groups on the importance of balance when it came to nutrition and activity. My ultimate goal was to empower educate, and provide the community with tools to take their health into their own hands. I had a lot of fun doing grocery store tours and cooking classes and wanted to expand even further.

 

In that same year, my life was changed even further when I became a student of Storm Crow Dojo, under John Savaria III. It was then I fell in love with martial arts, specifically modern ju-jitsu, kenjutsu, sambo, and the teachings and knowledge of true self-defense. I knew fairly immediately that I not only wanted to remain his student but I wanted to be dedicated and educated enough to one day be a co-instructor.

 

As I grew in my training, I grew in my understanding that mental health plays a significant role in our overall health, particularly when it comes to managing stress, relationships, and self-love. In 2018, I sought teachings and methods for such and soon began to learn and partake in meditation/mindfulness study, and in August of 2019, I became a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher. I came to understand the significance of how one’s energy, thoughts, and chakras affect mental, spiritual, and physical outputs, and I fell under the guidance, healing, and teaching of a Reiki master teacher, and I am almost a Reiki master myself.

 

Throughout my past and current learnings and growth, the vision for a place like the Tengu Center did not leave me. I just kept asking myself and Spirit: "What if there was one place where all of this could be brought together? What if there was one place that became a home and central location for the community to receive multi-layered support and education on wellbeing?"

 

 “What if” eventually became “what now” as I began to put these thoughts and dreams into action. I sought input from amazing people who have supported my own journey, and I tapped wonderful allies and experts who shared similar beliefs to join the board. Together, we form a team with one mission: to serve.

 

My education, training, life experiences, and teachings have allowed me to understand the significance of what health truly means. Health is about balance and the rejuvenation and healing of our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies. The Tengu Center will be the first in the Capital Region to offer all of these unique and much-needed services in one location in a way that serves the community which deserves this type of space and home."