I'm a, mother,wife,women, coach, teacher, healer,cantadora, and bodhisattva in training - WyseWomen Wellness is my passion.

I have been in service to humanity in one form or another since 1981 when I entered the health care field where I started my career as a nursing assistant on the medical-surgical unit -of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manchester, NH (of course that does not include my ministering to animals as a toddler on my Granddads farm in upstate NY - my version of ministering mainly focused on singing to them, birds in particular).

As I worked in the hospital and watched what took place around me I knew that there had to be a more effective, loving way to offer nurture and care, while empowering people to find health, support and balance in their lives. I set about to find it (first for myself because I realized that I was not in balance either) then to share what I found with others. Over the years I realized it is more about creating what you desire. Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see". That sums it up well.

A key element I've discovered to creating the life I love is the value and importance of a heart centered connection. Being in tune with my heart . . . Coherence, HeartMath ® calls it. My mind, my heart, and my spirit are all in tune with one another.

Some, like Deepak Chopra, refer to it as The Dharma or Path. This heart centeredness for me is rooted in a strong sense of spiritual connectedness to all things, in service to others, through loving kindness.

I am the mother of three wonderful children, ages 30, 21, and 14. They are fantastic kids and a real joy in our life. My partner and husband is my soul mate and friend. He is a deeply supportive part of my life. As a family we argue, we disagree, we laugh, we cry, we are what families are about.

My personal interests include walking on any sunny beach I can find, I love California (in the Santa Cruz area), hiking in the Redwoods (same area) or any trees, sitting on the St. Croix River, in Wisconsin, studying the Dharma, meditating, and reading good books. I have a wonderful reading list that I'll be sharing soon.

I love listening to great music like Andrea Bocelli, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and any great Jazz. Included in this mix are Norah Jones, and Santana, more on that below. I love to talk with my sister Barb who lives in Texas and I can listen and talk for hours (great skills for a coach to have). I love to write and I will be penning a book one day soon on the importance of healing from trauma.

I have written my own Reiki manual and I’m the creator of my website and a blog. I love Native and Japanese drumming, singing, and playing in clay. My dearest friends include my children and my partner.

My soul sisters, my work with the WyseWomen Circle , my friends and mentors all help to round me out and assist me in holding my center. We are definitely Ya Ya sisters and family!

I'm the oldest of six children and my growing up years were all spent in New England. My dad's side of the family (the Merrill's) hail back to England, Ireland, and Scotland in the early 1600's and my mom's side (so far anyway) are Iroquois (Native American) Irish and English.

My husbands job has migrated our family across the U.S. to the Mid-West, and to an area that looks a lot like the New England we grew up in.

I know a great deal about relationships as a coach and a healer. Personally I have been married, divorced, and remarried again. You learn a great deal about yourself and relationships in this process, And if you pay attention, you'll learn from it and grow a great deal, and bring that wisdom with you wherever you go.

Relationships are core stuff in coaching and in healing as well. Whether it is figuring out what your relationship is to your work, your life passion, and then living it, or what your relationships is to a health and wellness challenge, and then shifting it. Healing it.

I know loss and challenge because two of my brothers and my father have passed. My brothers from two separate accidents over the years, and my dad from chronic illness. My sister is facing the challenges of a brain tumor and what it means to heal from it.

My dad was a Korean War Veteran and through no fault of his own he carried home with him the pain and trauma of his time in Korea in the 2nd Indian Head Division, 9th Infantry, G Company.

His pain, and the pain that we took on as his children (not knowing any better as children) has been one of the motivating factors in my life for helping survivors of trauma to heal.Helping our Veterans, in whatever way I am able is very important to me.

Likewise my work with women is also very important to me. Whole Women Wellness, or WyseWomen Wellness as I call it, is my mantra. Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul.

Qualities that include love, nurture, respect, and esteem are all vitally important in the lives of women and their children who grow up to be adults.

My mother grew up in an abusive home, one where women and children were not valued. A home where violence was the norm.

The early part of the 20th century was a different time for women and children and they were often thought of, and or treated as property. This kind of thinking still exists today in some areas. My mother brought her pain forward with her into adulthood and as children we also took this on.

It is only now, as she nears 70 that she has finally found some peace with her life. Likewise, I have come to understand and know, with time and distance, my own inner peace.

I have lost a baby to a tubal pregnancy, and experienced infertility from an IUD when they were the popular method of family planning. I have been married, divorced, a single parent and I am now happily remarried again.

I become the primary caretaker for my wonderful mother-in-law Frannie when we moved her into our home at age 95 and together as a family we cared for her till she passed at the age of 97 from colon cancer. We were able to have her last days be at home with us. Thank God for the blessings of Hospice.

My experiences with loss and challenge have given me profound teachings on faith, trust, perseverance, compassion, and forgiveness, among other things.

Likewise I am blessed with much joy in my life and this too has taught me about appreciation and gratitude.

Many teachers have lit the way for me. My Baptist upbringing in my early years was the beginning. The stories I heard growing up about my Native ancestors also shaped me and gave me cause for inspiration and wonder. Likewise the Celtic side of our family has inspired me.

The difficult and frightening moments in my childhood, and the dark nights of my soul as an adult, each of these has been equally blessed teachers. It is easier to see the blessings when you are on the other side of dark night, not so much when you are in it. None the less, I am more for having walked the path that I have.

As an adult my path to understand has included studying and honoring the Celtic and Goddess traditions and studying and walking the Dharma or Buddhist path. It's an interesting mix that works for me.

The level of compassion that I am able to draw upon within me is deep, and likewise the experience of knowing about difficultly and coming through it. It is possible because I have been there. What is important is taking the journey, whatever it is, one small step at a time. My excuses have been valid, I've acknowledged the reality of what has happened - and validated my abilities because of it all.

My work as a coach and healer is deeply rewarding to me. There is nothing so powerful in my work as to hear from my clients or their family members how much better they feel, or the progress they have made in their lives as a result of our work together. I feel blessed and privileged to be able to walk this journey with my clients.

My experience as a life coach and healer is that the answers lie within. Our society is one that tends to draw people out of themselves to look for the answers "out there" instead of trusting and encouraging the wisdom within. I have found that most often with gentle nudging and a few tools people can find what they need from their own deep inner resources.

As Gandhi was once quoted having said ". . . it does not matter which book I read from, God is the essence of all things. . ." (Paraphrased).

My commitment to you is to teach you to develop your own powerful natural wisdom, an intuitive ,integrative capacity that, with very little thought on your part, and even when you are sleeping, is at work in every moment of your life. To create the life that you love. To give you back to yourself. It is your beingness, your birthright. A feeling, felt sense, of your most profound and sacred you.

As I shared above, I love great music like jazz, Etta James, Deva Premal, mantra or chant, Jana Stanfield, Jobim,. Classic Movies The Thin Man, Anything Audry and Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant. Alfred Hitchcock, British humor like Are You Being Served, The Vicar of Dibley, Absolutely Fabulous, Keeping Up Appearances, Public Television Books Or Authors Tom Peters, Marti Barletta, Carol Orsborn, Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D., The Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron,Youngey Mingyur Rinpoche, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D, Bruce Lipton Ph.D, Gregg Braden, Elena Avila R.N., MSN, and I could name every book on my shelf by so many authors who have inspired me and still be writing next week. In General I am following a Buddhist path as well as the Goddess Traditions. My focus in both is about healing, compassion, loving kindness, all through coaching. What I think of as relationship coaching. Because all things are in relationship. Whether it be with my husband and partner, my children, my clients, or how I walk on this planet.

I love doing things with our kids, I love being with women, I adore walking on the beach in California, walking in the the redwoods, any beautiful sunny day, Sitting by the river, my daily yoga practice, my daily tonglen practice, volunteering to make the difference in the life of another. Leading teaching, healing, and mentoring.

My Education, Certifications, and Licensing includes:

The Wellness Inventory ©
Licensed and Certified Provider of the Wellness Inventory
WHOLE PERSON WELLNESS PROGRAM
The Wellness Inventory is a "whole person" wellness program designed to help you gain personal insight into your state of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. The program offers guidance and tools to transform this new awareness into lasting changes in your life, and a renewed sense of health and wellbeing. http://www.mywellnesstest.com/WLPromotion.asp?gv=29075.4

The Sakya Temple
H.E. Ratna Vajra Sakya
Ven.Lama Migmar Tseten
Ven. Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen
http://www.sakyatemple.org/index.php

The seat for Sakya Temple in the U.S. is Tsechen Kunchab Ling, Temple of All-Encompassing Great Compassion. The Sakya tradition is a Buddhist Tradition I received the Lung (Empowerment) of the Medicine Buddha from H.E. Ratna Vajra Sakya of the Sakaya Buddhist Tradition. The Medicine Buddha is a powerful tool for healing and good. I recite the mantra as a part of my daily meditation practice and I also recite it as part of my healing practice. You can learn more here http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/medicine-buddha.htm.

I continue my studies on my personal path, which also is incorporated into my healing work, via attending the Minnesota Sakya Center in Minneapolis, MN, whenever there are guest teachers (Lamas etc.) in residence. My latest teaching was on the Heart Sutra with Ven.Lama Migmar Tseten. I am also attending weekly a teleconference on a variety of Buddhist teachings through Ven. Lama Kalsang Gyaltsen. for which I feel greatly blessed to attend. I have a great deal to learn as a novice and humble student and see myself doing so for the rest of my life.

Divine Intervention Spontaneous Remission Facilitator
Divine Intervention Spontaneous Remission Teacher

“Divine Intervention is where Source (God, Buddha, Higher Power) comes through and the physical and the spiritual take action at the same instant to create a miracle. In other words, Divine Intervention is the phenomenon where tumors fall to the floor and/or diseases may go into spontaneous remission.

Divine Intervention may be referred to as the loudest, most specific prayer that can call the forces of nature and heaven together, hand in hand. The most intimate connection that one can have with another being on this planet is to hold the space for a split second of heaven to appear in or for someone. As source intervenes in a situation, through a minister or healer, the laws of a larger physics come into play. The possibility that the body may return to it's natural state of wholeness jumps astronomically. At this moment the physical body may surrender to be used to the fullest by Source as the electric and magnetic energies split. When this happens anything that is not vital to the energetic structure of the body appears outside of the body.” ~ Starr Fuentes

As a part of my training I have studied with http://www.donnaspringgulick.com/ , http://www.starrfuentes.com (the current DISR lineage holder), http://www.shirleyresler.com, and http://www.sharonbarnett.com/

HeartMath ® Licensed 1 On 1 Provider
http://www.heartmath.com , http://www.heartmath.com/oneonone.html
From the HeartMath website: "This in-depth program trains professionals how to teach core HeartMath tools, encourage clients to integrate the tools into their everyday lives, and effectively share the impressive research that supports our tools and techniques. Because HeartMath is globally known and respected in many fields, it offers professionals the added benefit of being recognized as a Certified HeartMath 1 on 1 Provider."

"HeartMath is a world leader in the science and technology of heart/brain dynamics. HeartMath techniques have been extensively validated in laboratory tests and in real world situations. HeartMath techniques are so effective because they create specific changes in the rhythms of the heart. Because of the comprehensive impact of the heart on the human system, the benefits are clearly discernible at the physical, mental and emotional levels of one's experience."

HeartMath’s programs include:

Stress Reduction Program
Revitalize You Program
Zone Performance Program (for sports)
Personal Journal To Health
Strategies for Coherent Performance (great for business)
The Manifest ~ Voyage To Heart Intelligence

Each of these programs can be tailored to work with a clients needs as part of the coaching process.

I teach my clients a series of tools that include Quick Coherence (R) Freeze Frame (R), and Heart Lock-In (R). They are powerful tools that I know work from personal experience. We also have available software that works in real time to show clients how they are being affected by their emotions via heart rate variability. The PC version is called the emWave PC (R) and the hand held is called the emWavePSR (Personal Stress Reliever). You can look at these at http://www.heartmathstore.com. The software is not needed to learn the tools but it is a powerful teaching tool when it is used.

The variety of ways that HeartMath can be delivered range from the client just purchasing products like books or software, to e-products, to working one on one with me as your coach.

Teleclass.com ® Teleclass leader training
Six week training program that teaches all of the aspects of creating, marketing and
teaching a teleclass, distance, based learning program.
Teleclass.com ® 5 Day Program Teleclass leader training.
1 week intensive program that teaches all aspects of creating, marketing and teaching an
intensive 1 week teleclass.

Coaching From Spirit http://www.coachingfromspirit.com
Coaching from Spirit Programs emphasize aligning with the energetic forces of the universe (God, Soul or whatever you choose to call that ONENESS) in order to achieve personal transformation.
Marketing From Spirit http://wwvv.coachingfromspirit.com
Marketing principles based on the laws of attraction and quantum physics.
Coach University Incorporated http://www.coachu.com
Certified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner
Leidecker Institute, Elgin, IL
Certification program on the modality and application of Therapeutic Touch

American Institute For Symbologic StudiesTM, Elgin, IL (formerly of Schaumburg, IL – Division of Leidecker Instituite)
Instruction in Symbologic HypnosisTM and Non-Verbal Communication, disciplines that study the factors governing the mental systems and emotional life of the individual and the learning of the emotional language of Symbologic HypnosisTM. Learning of these systems allows the practitioner to deliver the most effective form of hypnosis and or guided meditation/relaxation for each individual client.

National Guild of Hypnotists, Merrimack, NH
Two courses of instruction in hypnotherapy. Basic and advanced level certification.
Applications include: creative visualization, self-esteem, weight loss, smoking cessation,
childbirth, phobia management, and alleviation, management of pain, grief recovery and
resolution.

Compassion In Action, Los Angeles, Ca
The Hospice Of Northeastern Illinois, Inc., Barrington, IL
Intensive training in end of life care and support for patients and their family.
Training programs for hospice volunteers that includes one on one patient visits and companionship and bereavement training. My work went beyond this training as I applied my skills and knowledge to the program as a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner with patients and staff.

Reiki I, II, and III, Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui Tradition.
Eileen Taylor-Reiki Master Teacher, Downers Grove, IL

Reiki is a form of hands on care giving for connecting universal life force energy with the
body's innate powers of healing. It creates balance in the multiple levels of the body, mind, and spirit.

Bodywork For The Childbearing Year, Somatic Learning Associates, La Jolla, CA. Instruction and certification in specialized techniques for pregnancy and infant massage.

NWARR
Northwest Women's Action Against Rape
Rolling Meadows, IL
Volunteer rape crisis counselor with women needing assistance after a rape at the hospital, assistance during court appearances and instruction in any other capacity that may assist a victim of domestic violence as a volunteer. Requirement for Volunteer service.

Chicago School Of Massage Therapy, Chicago, IL
Myofascial Therapy Intensive. Instruction in specialized techniques for connective tissue
therapy.

Chicago School Of Massage Therapy, Chicago, IL (now under the umbrella of Cortiva)
One year intensive program leading to graduation as a certified massage therapist. Instruction included anatomy and physiology, kineseology, medical terminology, massage therapy techniques and business practices.

Wellness and Massage Therapy Institute, Willowbrook, IL
Massage And The Adult Child
Instruction in the specialized techniques of working with survivors of trauma.

Harper College, Palatine, IL
Career Development, Novel writing I&II, Fiction writing, Advanced Writing for
Publication.

American Academy Of Husband Coached Childbirth, Sherman Oaks, CA Certified Childbirth Educator program. Certification level program teaching all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Anatomy and physiology of reproduction, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Statistical information gathering techniques, record keeping, lesson planning and preparation, public speaking etc..

Hessor College, Manchester, NH
Medical Terminology I&II, Clinical Practices, Psychology, and Logic.

Veterans Administration Medical Center, Manchester, NH
340 hour certification program for nursing assistants. Specialized training in al aspects of patient care. Anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, specimen collection, wound care, pre and post-op surgical care, infection control, post-mortum care, record keeping and charting etc. etc..

Co-Founder and former Co-Host of Chicago Coaching Alliance

Illinois Licensed and Certified Massage Therapist

Memberships:

IMA ~ International Massage Association
International Mentors and Coaches Association
NABBW.com ~ National Association of Baby Boomer Women

Websites:

http://www.wysewomen.com

http://www.heartmath.com/alliances/n1_on_1_provider_list.php?action=list...

http://www.mywellnesstest.com/WLPromotion.asp?gv=29075.4

I look forward to working with you on your journey . . .

Blessings,
Nellie