What is your name and location?
Pastaveia Monique, living is the Sacramento, CA area
How do you heal yourself? What is your favorite form of self-therapy?
I heal myself by sitting and listening to music (alone or on a crowded train). Music is very healing for me especially music with no words, such as film scores. My go to healing activity is chanting the Triple Mantra in Sanskrit. My favorite version with music is by Nirinjan Kaur. I also enjoy going for walks (w/o tech) or talking to a trusted friend. Lastly, I heal myself by feeling all the feelings I'm experiencing in the moment. If that means having a good-ugly cry, then that is what happens. I feel and honor the emotions.
When/what was the catalyst that made you start?
As the oldest of 5 children (four girls,1boy), my mom would dress all the girls in the same outfits. It was cheaper and she thought it was cute and we were darling, but I learned at a young age that I could show my personality through how I expressed myself. I was in the band all throughout middle and high school and even into adulthood I had this connection with sound + music.
How has this form of healing helped you?
Music was and continues to be the vehicle I use to help express who I am, when words are not enough.
What does your process look like? (Please share what you feel comfortable sharing)
It depends on the day. It may look like me laying in corpse pose in the middle of my bed, living or bathroom floor. Other days, I'm driving in silence and making sounds or reciting songs from memory. Lately, it's been while I take my evening walk and humming.
How does it make you feel when you are healing yourself?
I feel blissful + free.
Why is what you do so important? Why is this form of self-helping important to you?
For me, it's therapeutic. It allows me to release and move forward.
What is your inspiration to continue doing what you are doing? What is the fuel that keeps you going?
Peace. By doing this ritual, I find great stillness and I'm able to let go and surrender to the divine.
What are your visions &/or goals?
Wow, this is a loaded question, said the ego. :) Hmm, at the end of day I'd like to empower others. This doesn't have be in a monetary position but rather by being an example of a different way of living. Being the alternative black girl, who is into environmental, sustainable, ethical practices mixed with Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, aromatherapy, etc. Is a bit much for some. However, I'm happy to show others who have those same interests that it is ok to express yourself. Be open to what makes you différent.
Tell us a fun fact about your form of healing, what it is that you do, or something people may not know.
Fun fact: I joined the United States Air Force just 7 weeks before 9/11 and continued my career in the military for 12 years.
In one sentence, what is your message to the world?
It's okay to grow-up but never lose your child-like wonder.
Is there is anything else that you would like to share about yourself or what your form of self-healing?
I'm happy to share that this year in 2017 marks my 15 year wedding anniversary and we are expecting our first tiny human, coming soon in November.
Sat Nam.
**Everyone please help us in welcoming Pastaveia to our team & congratulating her & her family on their journey to parenthood!