Today, we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Johnson and Jessica Ramirez.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I knew I always wanted to offer healing and give back in some way. From the time I was a child, I was fascinated by the natural world, the human body, how we become diseased, and how we can heal. It helped my mother become a healer and build her own business based on energetic Eastern modalities of bodywork like Jin Shin Do, Reiki, and Craniosacral therapy.
Her love language was touch, and she would often press points on my back and arms, as well as give me little massages to soothe me when I was upset. I was very young when I was first introduced to the temporary nature of life, as my grandparents all passed before I was 11 and my father was 13. Struck with grief and a feeling I couldn’t quite explain, I was drawn to trying to understand the life/death cycle and how to live a life that was more in line with the surrender it takes to live fully and authentically.
My interest in healing and spirituality grew deeper, as well as my interest in mental health and how it relates to physical. When I graduated high school, I considered jumping right into pursuing a degree in psychology and becoming a mental health therapist. However, I intuitively knew I needed more time to explore my interests and do some inner healing work myself. I spent a few years working for ski resorts and connecting to nature in every way I knew how.
As well as beginning my meditation practice and reading spiritual books such as “The Power of Now” by Ekhart Tollee. and the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. This offered me deep insights into the nature of reality and how we can be free in the present moment. Despite this, I was still haunted by a pervading emptiness, a desire for growth, and a career that would be more in alignment with my life purpose. I knew I still wanted to work with offering help and healing and strived to figure out a channel to do that.
My mother suggested Massage school, and at first, I was resistant, but I soon realized that this would be a great start to my path. I started Healing Mountain Massage School in the summer of 2018. During my journey there, I discovered the modality of Craniosacral therapy and was completely fascinated by how traumatic events can affect the physiological expression of the body’s physical and emotional function. I was also met with some of the greatest personal challenges and growth I could have imagined. I met the most incredible humans who cracked me open in ways I never knew were possible.
It was then I actually needed my own body and realized how disconnected we have become as a culture from our bodies and from our ability to love ourselves. Much of my own trauma surfaced as I continue to work with it today. It was there I realized Trauma cannot be healed in isolation, and no matter how much you meditate until you face yourself in relation to others, you can never really touch the rawness of life. After graduating from Healing Mountain Massage School, I immediately opened my private practice in the 9th and 9th area, offering massage and acupressure as well as craniosacral.
Since my practice has grown, I have now chosen to specialize in craniosacral therapy and somatic-based healing. I have taken continued education through the Upledger Institute for Craniosacral Therapy. I am continuing my education in Somato Emotional Release throughout the spring of 2025. My thirst for knowledge of the relationship between trauma held in the body and mind is insatiable.
Recently I have read “the Myth of Normal” by Gabor Mate as well as “Waking the Tiger” by Peter A. Levine. I plan to attend his school, the Somatic Experiencing Institute, to gain more knowledge and skills in somatic healing.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. I have come across many challenges growing up without a father. It has felt like I am missing a limb, and no one can see it is gone. It’s been my greatest driver in my path and also my greatest hindrance.
Everything hold a different kind of weight, breakups, financial struggles, loss of friendships, life transitions have just hit different. What may have been a minor challenge for a regular kid growing up in Utah has been exceptionally difficult for me. I have had to work with a lot of self-esteem issues, self-doubt, and questions about my capabilities and worth.
Every time I step through that window of fear and trust my heart and where my soul is guiding me, I’m shown are and more I can trust my process. Whenever I see a client light up after they get off my table their eyes glimmer, smile widens, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and assurance I am doing the right thing, and I keep going.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I selected artist, because although my main career is in Craniosacral therapy/ bodywork. I was originally drawn to the artwork. I have always been a creative type and continue to grow and expand in many different arenas. It’s hard to define myself as just one thing. I paint, I use acrylic and oil, and I have been painting since I was 16. It’s one of my major healing outlets.
I also write recreationally and am currently working on my first book. Sunlight and storms. A story of trauma and healing. As far as my career in healing, I am beginning with Craniosacral Therapy but plan to expand and grow with many different offerings, including yoga, meditation, breath work, and even coaching one day.
Craniosacral itself is one of the number one modalities for releasing trauma in the body. Its main focus is on the fascia and soft tissues around the brain, spinal cord, and sacrum. When we experience emotional or physical trauma, our muscles instinctively tighten for protection, our fascia constricts creating an obstruction in our cerebral spinal fluid flowing from the fourth ventricle f the Bain down the spine to the tail bone and back up.
This fluid carries essential nutrients and is responsible for proper hormone distribution throughout the body. As you can imagine, an obstruction in the flow can create a lot of problems. Our nervous system turns on its sympathetic response so we can fight or flee the danger. This is fine at the moment we need to escape the danger; however, the long-term effects of this response can create ailments in the body such as insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, and migraines, to name a few.
In extreme cases, especially after long-term stress, it will then, in turn, activate its dorsal vagal response, in other words, “freeze,” where we shut down. This can result in depression, brain fog, poor digestion, and all of the issues mentioned above. Craniosacral, like yoga, stretches the fascia with very light touch and pressure, realigning it to its original and balanced position, helping the body self-correct and tone the nervous system into fluency between its different responses.
The point isn’t to keep you out of stress; it’s to create the flexibility to turn on the sympathetic response when needed and not stay there, be able to access the parasympathetic, and allow the body to rest, digest, and unwind.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You really have no control. Whoever is meant to be on your path will show up; however your road is paved, it will present itself to you in the most mysterious ways.
Like a painting, you can visualize what you want to create, have blueprint, an idea, a seed, however when that thing grows it will change in ways you could have never predicted, it won’t be anything like you originally pictured, yet looking back you’ll realize it turns out even better. That’s the magic of life.
Pricing:
- $80-hour intro session for Craniosacral
- 90$ Regular price
- 120$ Intro Cranio-Massage
- 130$ Cranio-Massage Regular Price
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunyataembodiment.com
- Instagram: @sunyata_embodiment_llc
