Rising Sun Wellness

02/25/2023

Who am I?

Who else finds this to be one of the scariest questions out there? And yet, depending on your social media usage and chosen profession, we are forced to answer this question ranging from 50 characters or less to qualification bios that require you to highlight your education and job history… just typing that makes me sweat. And as I attempt to get back on social media for “professional purposes” after deactivating my personal account over a year ago, I am forced to decide how I want to make myself known to a potentially massive audience of unknown faces and bots.

When I taught English to middle school students I would often remind them to SHOW instead of tell. So in that spirit…

I am

a client who told their first therapist to “hurry up and heal me because this is costing a lot of money!”

a psychotherapist that holds space for her clients and continues to do her own therapeutic work knowing that healing is a journey not an event

a reluctant jogger that morphed into an ultrarunner after discovering the beauty of the backcountry

a dancer that learned how to move through emotion after the death of her father left her speechless

an artist that prefers stick figures and finger paints

a mother that admits to her two amazing children when she’s made a mistake

a community member that loves the people of the Flathead Valley and the lands of the Kootenai, Pend d'Oreille, Salish, and Blackfeet

02/20/2023

The name Rising Sun Wellness is close to my heart for several reasons. Mrs. Rising Sun was my dad's beloved mentor during the start of his teaching career on the Fort Peck Reservation, and he always told me that it was my given middle name that didn't make it on to my birth certificate. I love that story and his assertion that I was adopted into the tribe. I've never had any "proof" of the validity of my dad's words but nevertheless they have shaped my identity. I am thankful for those roots and the hope it's given me during seasons of depression when I felt like I was at the bottom of the ocean with little ability to dream of anything different. Even in those times, I was always surrounded by evidence that I may not always feel the way I felt in that moment- the sun disrupting the darkness of night, tulips breaking through thawing soil, the smooth exterior of a stone that has been shaped by rushing water. I value hope right next to love as two essential ingredients for action. We need to care and believe something is possible in order to devote the time and energy needed to create change.

I must admit that I have not felt very hopeful in regards to climate change until reading this article written by my beautiful sister in law, Morgan. It's worth the read!

Hi, I'm Morgan. I'm a trail/ultrarunner, writer, and mental health counselor in training, with a passion for body-based, intuitive, holistic living. Join me in exploring our edges—with radical self-love, determination, and curiosity every step of the way. Click to read The Self-Love Runner, by Mor...

02/19/2023

Dancing Mindfulness is a chance to develop the ability to notice without judgment in a fun and interactive environment. No dance experience necessary. The environment will be casual with options for all bodies and abilities to explore movement, music, breath, and elements of mindfulness: non-judgement, patience, beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go.

We are thankful to have use of community space within the First Presbyterian Church at 540 South Main Street Kalispell, Montana. You may enter in through the main doors on the East side of the building and follow signs upstairs. *Unfortunately the space is not wheelchair accessible at this time, but please reach out if you would like to join, but have movement restrictions. I would love to find an accommodating space that is inclusive to all that want to participate.*

For more information about the practice of Dancing Mindfulness: https://www.dancingmindfulness.com

01/01/2023

On a day when many are focusing on what they want to change or strive for, I offer an invitation to just be present through the vehicle of music and movement. Come check out Dancing Mindfulness on January 25th from 6-7 pm.

Dancing Mindfulness is a chance to develop the ability to notice without judgment in a fun and interactive environment. No dance experience necessary. The environment will be casual with options for all bodies and abilities to explore movement, music, breath, and elements of mindfulness: non-judgement, patience, beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go.

We are thankful to have use of community space within the First Presbyterian Church at 540 South Main Street Kalispell, Montana. You may enter in through the main doors on the East side of the building and follow signs upstairs. *Unfortunately the space is not wheelchair accessible at this time, but please reach out if you would like to join, but have movement restrictions. I would love to find an accommodating space that is inclusive to all that want to participate.*

Because everyone deserves to be in community regardless of their financial situation, Dancing Mindfulness will be offered as a donation-based class the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm.

To learn more check out https://www.dancingmindfulness.com/