In the beginning, EPIPHA originated from Joy… 

As part of our continuing efforts to highlight issues impacting women’s health, and the whole of society as a result, EPIPHA was established with a primary mission of focusing the spotlight on sex-based differences in injuries and illness, like traumatic brain injury. Promoting more research on how diseases and injuries impact women differently will lead to a broader knowledge base, providing a stronger foundational understanding of how women experience illness and injury. Focused in part on better treatments tailored to women, EPIPHA looks to shift the understanding about a woman’s experience, ultimately leading to healthier, more fulfilling lives. 

What is an epiphany?

Some will say an epiphany is an illuminating discovery or realization, some may refer to it as the sudden perception of the essential nature of something, while others simply know it as an ‘ah-ha’ moment. What is undeniable is that there is a realization by the self, a recognition of an intuitive grasp on reality that causes a shift in how the world is perceived. Whether the epiphany comes about as a result of a series of seemingly minute and often unnoticed ordinary occurrences, or after repeated exposures to the same small experiences, that ‘ah-ha’ moment is THAT life-changing ‘shift’ when perceptions change and you see the world differently. It is quite simply an overwhelmingly positive and/or clarifying emotional event that inspires you to respond differently than before, acting in such a way as to either resolve an issue or be motivated to the creation of new and possibly unique or revolutionary ideas.

EPIPHA came about as a manifestation of my own internal need to follow what others viewed as seemingly benign occurrences of everyday life. These ‘uneventful’ occurrences, that somehow magnetized themselves to one another in my mind have been pieces of a puzzle that assembled themselves to reveal a number of revelations. 

EPIPHA is designed to spur thought, grow knowledge, and push our collective thought to new connections from seemingly unrelated things, all for the betterment of women’s health and wellness. It is through our collective experiences that we find commonality and it is where WE will create new approaches focused on health and wellness and not illness and disease. EPIPHA is an intersection, a confluence of ideas and lived experiences, a crossroads where existing research meets everyday experiences, where we as women start to find our own pathways to more diverse treatment approaches and better results for the individual. 

Fast forward to age 50, and through a series of life events, all of my life’s experiences collided. My purpose and future unfolded in little sparks and flutters over the course of two years until I awoke one day to a crystal clear vision of what lie ahead on my journey. I realized it is simply not enough to tell people about the things that can make their lives better, they need to know on a sensory level what it all means…and for those so inclined, instructional time to learn to do for themselves. There is a need to take consulting about the Hand-Brain Connection to the next level, beyond just explaining the things that can help in life. People need to experience for themselves, the benefits that abound from many things in everyday life, and sometimes it takes a reintroduction to the things you already know, or simply a different perspective that fuels your ability to see things differently. With this…the goal of developing a first of its kind healing arts retreat began, an is a work in progress.

Rooted in the study of the hand-brain connection and the ideology of daily mental health housekeeping practices, the goals of the retreat will focus on introducing people to a vast array of practices, some integrative, some alternative, some already part of daily life that are instrumental in a healthy body-mind-soul connection.

Although my Mother would not live long enough to witness just how instrumental those early years would be in my pursuit of providing comfort and contentment in the lives of others, her knowledge and dedication are my foundation. She will always be the creative force and the steadfast supporter throughout my life that molded me and helped develop me into the individual particularly suited for this journey. It is a mission she crafted, albeit probably unknowingly on her part, to nourish my development, in order for me to make a difference in the lives of others, guided by her teachings, and most definitely influenced by my education and life experiences.

PyrCanna Retreat will be a place to learn to refuel your inner power, and settle your very soul…

Poppies & Thistle is our Etsy store, with a website coming soon. It is named in honor of the Mother-Daughter bond unbroken, that binds throughout space and time. My Mother was a delicate poppy with grace and beauty who was often too soft and gentle for this world. She was overflowing with talent, spirit, and a gentleness like no other, dripping with knowledge about the unlikeliest of things. I have been a thistle since the moment I sparked into existence, beautiful underneath, but prickly to the touch, and as protective as they come, and one who spent a lifetime absorbing her Mother’s essence. My Mother taught me what it means to protect those in need and I learned to protect her and others from the harsh world by way of her example, just as she had always done for me.  

Our Poppies & Thistle store is where you will find different projects that were created as part of one of the healing arts classes within the still-developing healing arts retreat. The Hand-Brain connection, and how working with your hands in any number of mediums can prove very beneficial to your mental health and wellness is the focus of the different classes that produced the pieces currently listed for sale in our Etsy store.  Thank you for taking the time to peruse our online store, and for your interest in our healing arts work – a movement toward a more centered self.  Please check back for announcements regarding future class offerings and progress on the Healing Arts Retreat.