You can call me TJ, Traci, Traci Joy…I like them all. A long-time yogi, yoga therapist, and teacher, I am also an Ayurvedic consultant, Vipassana practitioner, nutritionist, somatic therapist, medical herbalist, ritualist, chef, and bodyworker. I own and operate “Arts of Balance”, in San Francisco CA, enriching people’s lives through attentive presence, intuitive insight, technical skill, bold encouragement, humor, and radical embodiment.

 

I began my life-long love affair with the body, spirited movement, and inspired attention as a young child. Growing up as an artist, inspired by the natural world, I also kicked ass as a gymnast, soccer player, swimmer, and long distance runner. Many hours were devoured playing my edges creatively, honing my mind, and exploring what is possible in body when everything comes together just so, and an ecstatic state results (and not!).

 

I studied art and science in high school and university while recovering from several years over indulgence and chronic health issues. Working as as a ceremonial fibre artist in my 20’s, I also studied alternative medicine, herbalism, nutrition and shamanism. I stumbled into yoga in 1993. As I recovered my joy and health, I formed the company “Moonthyme Herbals” in 1995 and specialized in herbs for women’s health, on the west coast of Oregon. Looking for sunnier climate, I found an innovative art community in Mendocino CA in 1997 and relocated. Loving the emphasis on health, alternative resources, local commerce, and fresh organic food, I have been loving the greater Bay area ever since.

 

I received my certificate of Western Herbalism in 1995. In 1999, I began to pursue yoga full time, going through 2 in-depth programs and teaching since 2002. In 2006, I completed my Certificate of Clinical Ayurveda. I have logged over 4,500 professional study hours with some of the world’s most influential somatic, yoga / mindfulness, and natural medicine pioneers, including Mary Paffard, Angela Farmer, Jack Kornfield, Dr Vasant Lad, Dr. Ron Harwin, Shunya Pratichi Mathur, Dr Robert Svoboda, Ajahn Amaro, BKS Iyengar, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Rodney Yee, Richard Rosen, Dr David Frawley, Tom Myers, and Judith Lasater. I've also been very influenced by Alice Walker, Noah Levine, Fakir Musafar, Mushtaq Ali, Lawrence Kampf, and Scott Blossom.

 

Buddhist Vipassana meditation, Tibetan, Wiccan, Native American shamanic rites, Nordic and Celtic magickal traditions, in addition to  both western and eastern medical training have formally influenced my style. I offer calming, inspiring, innovative artistic wellness: radical, self-sustaining wellness. I aspire to use everything within reach to bring healing to self / community / world. To this end, my practice is made up of full body exploration in a range of forms: Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, western herbalism, visual art, writing, ritualized body rites, mindful sexuality, hands on body/energy work, nutrition and a general practice of compassion, self care, and reflection - personally and communally. I formed Arts of Balance to incorporate all these modalities. These arts seem to me an obvious alchemy in unearthing the wisdom that dwells within our hearts, hands, minds; our integrated being-ness heals.

 

Thank you for sharing in a commitment to heal through our unique visions and cooperation. May you always walk true to your heart and resplendent in fleshed contentment.