Lunch with a Present Day Healer, tucked into the mountains in Sun Valley, Idaho…

We bumped into Sonia Sommer at the Sun Valley Wellness Festival and had an opportunity to look in on her workshop – Feel Like a Kid Again. She took the participants through a number of exercises that not only gave them some loose, shall we say, ground rules for evoking play – but also took them through smaller group and individual exercises where they could apply it in their life. She had people dancing, coloring with crayons and setting the intent to try something new – just outside of their comfort zone. All things that kids do on a nearly daily basis that keep those neural pathways open like a super highway

After the session we decided to grab a very late lunch at GLOW, a live food cafe, juice bar and health food store in downtown Ketchum, ID. Armed with true nourishment and lots of water – Kate and I set out to understand the scope of Sonia’s work, how she got here all the way from Australia and what we can expect next. She spent the first years of her life immersed in sports science working directly with olympic athletes – in areas of training, nutrition and sports medicine. Now a sought-after Practitioner of Structural Integration, she finds herself working with individuals from all walks of life – but she loves working with those that are seeking real transformational and personal evolution. A genuine desire to help people move out of the personal pain and into an optimal life comes from her own personal journey.

IMG_1293Having been so rooted in the scientific nature of wellness, Sonia was totally thrown when she found herself struggling in many areas of her life. A new mom, newly divorced, depressed and anxious. She turned to the practice of Chi Kung and started to feel a shift that can only come from looking inward. Then started to have visions of these “old men calling her home” to the mountains of Peru. Following her heart and giving her mind a vacation she set out to integrate how she wanted to (and now does) live into what she does for a living. I think because Sonia has come from the other side of her own personal experience, you get a real sense of something tangible in what could be perceived as “a little out there” in some circles.

Sonia believes that the body is holistic. That you are living in wellness when you live in joy, healthy body, centered mind and are connected to your heart. Her mission is to help others elevate their health and wellbeing as a whole. She shared, with us, that often as her clients start working with her as a structural therapist, better known as Rolfing, and then they evolve to deeper work to evoke a greater change. I saw Sonia as a present day healer that integrates touch and intuition to usher you into the life you want to lead. She is remarkably grounded and present when you sit and enjoy her company.

I would encourage you to check out her website and sign up for Sonia’s blog where you will have access to free training videos, weekly tips and tools to create a healthier, happier life! I don’t know anyone who does not want that. Bummed you don’t live in Sun Valley, Sonia offers a variety of ways in which clients can work with her – including a “snapshot session”. Learn more here!