MFR III – What A Journey!

Last week, I continued my Myofascial Release (MFR) training with John Barnes in Camp Verde and Sedona, AZ. This experience was unlike any training I had encountered before, marking a significant milestone in both my professional and personal healing journeys.

The course, titled MFR III: “Beyond Technique,” has several prerequisites, including submitting a resume and an essay explaining our motivation and readiness to participate. Completing this course earns therapists an Expert level certification, making the journey to apply quite demanding.

My journey began in 2021 when I was accepted into the program, excited to immerse myself in the training. However, I realized I had been more focused on obtaining the Expert title than I initially recognized. I’ll elaborate on this later.

In 2021, just before MFR III, I attended a course on Subtle Energy in Sedona. I found it enriching for my energy healing and Reiki practices. Unfortunately, on the morning of MFR III, I woke up with flu-like symptoms and couldn’t attend, leaving me deeply disappointed. I hoped to reapply the following year, but 2022 proved to be a challenging year for my health, making it impossible to consider.

By 2023, I was well enough to apply but found the course was sold out, so I was placed on a waitlist. Determined to secure a spot, I applied early in 2024—and this time, it was my year to attend!

Reaching this stage in my journey has been filled with lessons:

• Patience is key. Much like the slow, deliberate holds in an MFR session, life’s richness is often overlooked when we rush.

• Embrace what is. Accepting life’s unexpected turns can lead to invaluable lessons.

• Perseverance matters. During MFR III, we discussed the importance of not giving up. There were times I considered not reapplying, but something within me urged me to continue, and I’m grateful I did.

• Timing is everything. When I first applied in 2021, I was more focused on the title than the learning experience. The lessons I learned between then and now shifted my perspective, allowing me to prioritize personal and professional growth.

Entering this year’s seminar, I felt immense gratitude for John Barnes and his transformative work. I also confronted fears and insecurities, both conscious and subconscious. John’s words, “You are bigger than your fear,” became my guiding mantra.

I’m still integrating everything, but I already feel vibrant, centered, and deeply connected to my essence in ways I’ve never experienced before. I’m immensely grateful for the profound changes this work has brought into my life.

Special thanks to John for sharing the gift of MFR, and to Rob for two amazing sessions at Therapy on the Rocks! I learned so much from his expertise. It was a privilege to share this journey with fellow instructors and participants.

Now that I have reached the Expert level, it’s fitting as I celebrate 20 years of practicing bodywork and 10 years of MFR. Myofascial Release transcends physical treatment; it connects body, mind, heart, and soul.

As I move forward, I feel called to support clients in a deeper, transformative way. Alongside my bodywork sessions, I am completing my ICF BodyMind Coaching Certification and offering somatic breathwork coaching and women’s circles. This combination will enable me to guide individuals through profound embodiment processes, fostering lasting changes and enhancing their connection to themselves and their lives.

Stay tuned for updates about my practice changes coming in January 2025.

Until then, be well and take good care of you!