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Hi! I'm Ericka, founder of PeacefulWork and here is my story :) 

I know what it is like to live with daily anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout as well as feeling empty and depressed and confused. I didn't always understand conscious evolution or awakening. I had no idea there was ancient knowledge and wisdom practices in this world that could take me beyond my programming and conditioning. I didn't even realize how conditioned and programmed I was, I just felt so lost and confused. I had no idea that I was a Highly Sensitive Person and I definitely didn't know these practices would take me deeper into myself stripping away all my masks to emerge the authentic me that I am today. I now consistently feel more space and freedom in my body than I even knew was possible.

I was born and raised in the Yakima Valley and raised in a Christian home, I went to church every week, sometimes twice a week. I remember singing a song in Sunday School with the words, "create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me." I remember feeling my heart was dirty and something was wrong with my spirit. I'm the youngest of five and I also have an older brother that I didn't grow up with. Sadly, I didn't know about him until I was in middle school. 

My dad took his life a couple weeks after I turned three. I don't remember him. I grew up hearing he was stressed and he had too many kids, I was his youngest child. Somehow, I felt like it had to be my fault.  I was told he was mentally ill and that his death was a blessing in disguise. I didn't understand why my family didn't grow up with love. I just accepted what I was told and didn't ask questions. 

When I was 17 years old, I was groomed by an older man. I slipped away, I was not protected. I couldn't see what was happening. Deep inside I knew something was wrong but I had no skills, I was a nobody, I didn't even like the guy. Easily influenced, because I had no voice, no boundaries and I was easily manipulated. I had no idea how to navigate anything because no one was guiding me. As the years went by and after seeing a handful of therapists, I felt hopeless. Therapy couldn't even help me. I finally went on antidepressants. I was dead on the inside, an empty shell. Then eventually more years went by, and I was talking with a coworker of mine and I said something that didn't sit well with her. She gave me a book and after reading one paragraph, I realized I was in an abusive relationship. It’s been over seven years since I read that book. A lot happened during this time, including divorce, the family court system, the pandemic, changing jobs, moved across the state, started school, learning who I was, and healing myself so that I could be the best version of myself. 

On my healing journey, I wanted to understand why my Dad took his life. I've since learned about abuse in my family, much of which is never talked about. My Grandpa was an alcoholic, who abused my dad when he was a small boy. The man who groomed me and who I married, resembles my Grandpa in many ways. My daughter is almost at the age I was when I was groomed. I look at her and I wonder about me when I was her age, because there is no way I would ever allow an older man groom my daughter. I would protect her. This is unhealed trauma, that keeps playing out generation after generation until someone is brave enough to heal. 

After years of studying and thousands of dollars in programs and books, I healed on a mind level but my body still carried pain and trauma. I had no idea that my body carried incredible wisdom and I had no idea that my body was communicating with me.  I now have the tools to heal myself on a Mind Body level and I feel such ease in my body and my life is filled with love and beauty and freedom and I am excited to have finally found the tools and skills to permanently release trauma and limiting beliefs!

I share this because this is my story. My life unfolded in this way for me. It was part of my path. I had locked away parts of myself that contained my life force, my magic, my soul gifts, and my purpose. 

I currently live in Oakville, WA, and I LOVE learning, reading, studying and being outside in the garden and the forest. I love being a Mom to an amazing daughter who has been one of my greatest teachers. And I love sharing my life with my partner Steve; talking, going on adventures, and learning and growing together. We have a sweet Border Collie boy named Buddy and we just recently created a space for our four new chickens. 

I graduated from Bodymechanics Myotherapy and Massage School, became a certified Body Mind Bridge Practitioner at the BodyMind Bridge Institute founded by Shuna Morelli, a Certified Subtle Body Life Coach through Body Wisdom Academy founded by Leslie Huddart, and a Certified Spinal Flow Practitioner through The Spinal Flow Technique by Dr. Carli Axford.  My passion is learning about Healing, Consciousness, the Body, Self Mastery, Growth and increasing my client's awareness and relationship with their bodies. My studies continue in the area of positive transformation. 

I started PeacefulWork to help people heal from what is holding them back and to step into a new way of being. You can self-heal, it is your birthright! I am so grateful for these gifts and I can think of nothing more rewarding than to guide you to experience how amazing it feels to wake up every morning feeling at ease, full of love, and excited to start the day. Imagine living with an open heart, living in a deeper level of presence, radiance, and connection with yourself. Imagine living a life where your mind is working in service of the wisdom of your heart. You cannot access this wisdom by your mind! Imagine moving beyond trauma and surviving to thriving without years of therapy or talking about it. This is why I became a Transformational Healing Coach and Massage Therapist and I can't wait to support you on your own healing journey because your life force, magic, soul gifts, and your purpose are in you too. 

It takes work and commitment to live life consciously and on purpose. I am committed to providing a nurturing, stress free environment for a healing experience.  I use a wide range of techniques to create a safe space for growth and recovery from injury and emotional trauma. Every session is an opportunity to bring you peace and well-being.  I can't promise you perfection but I can promise you unwavering support to help walk this awakening path with as much ease and grace as possible. 

Blessings to you on your journey. 

Sending love and peace, 

~Ericka

(Written Summer of 2023)