ARVAmethod

10/14/2025

I came into this industry thinking I was going to help people change their bodies. What I discovered is that the body is never really the problem; it's the disconnection from it.

I'd have clients hit their aesthetic goals and still feel insecure. Or they'd sabotage their progress right before a breakthrough. I realized I was treating symptoms while ignoring the root: people were living disconnected from themselves, chasing goals that had nothing to do with what they actually needed or valued.

That's when everything shifted for me. I started looking beyond bodywork and fitness training, and started learning about nervous system regulation, mindset, and what it actually means to live authentically. I realized that sustainable health isn't about willpower or discipline—it's about consciousness. About being present enough to hear what your body is telling you. About building a life aligned with your values instead of someone else's expectations.

Now I teach people how to reconnect with themselves first. How to make choices from a grounded, conscious place instead of reaction or comparison. How to honor where they actually are instead of beating themselves up for not being where they "should" be. Because real transformation doesn't happen when you force your body into submission,it happens when you finally start respecting and trusting yourself enough to listen to it.

05/18/2025

Calling all Chicago wellness folks — I’m looking for the right person to step into a very unique opportunity. ✨

I’m offering a paid clinical bodywork apprenticeship for a licensed massage therapist who wants to grow in sports therapy, injury prevention, and long-term pain care. This is hands-on mentorship in both advanced technique and the business of running a successful, client-centered practice.

The right person is:
— Clinically trained
— Passionate about helping people feel and move better
— Professional, grounded, and eager to learn
— Ready to build a real career in therapeutic bodywork.

If you know someone in the Chicago area who might be a fit, please send them my way.
Email is the best way to reach me: arrabella@arvamethod.com

Thanks for sharing 🙏

12/31/2024

Looking back on this past year, I'm struck by all the shifting and changing that has taken place. The world feels different, and so does my perspective and focus. I spent much of this year in quiet reflection, keeping the work private.

I believe in the value of doing work in the dark, away from an audience. Not everything needs to be shared or turned into a spectacle for mass consumption. Yet, we live in a time that encourages us to broadcast every moment of success, suffering, joy, and pain, reinforcing the same narratives until there’s no room left to shift our perspective.

As I step into another solar year, I choose to move forward with intention. The world is what you make of it. So make it something beautiful.

10/05/2024

If you've been feeling called to turn inward and reconnect with yourself as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, Breathwork offers a unique opportunity to dive deep and nurture your inner world.

Join me for a day of Breathwork and self-care on Saturday, October 26th from 10 AM to 5:30 PM at a private studio in West Town Chicago. Full-day event price is just $280 per participant.

This immersive experience offers a powerful grounding and introspection, guiding you towards self-discovery and personal growth.

If you have questions, or would like to secure your spot at this event, send me a message to schedule your free consultation.

I hope to see you there!

Created in 2014 by Arrabella Schippers, ARVAmethod helps you thrive through life's changes with a personalized approach to wellness.
Bodywork, Breathwork, and Health Coaching are available at our Chicago location and through the ARVAmethod App.

06/20/2024

Too much cardio and not enough REAL strength training is a common mistake as we age. While cardio is great for heart health, overdoing it can harm your lean body mass.

🏃‍♂️❌ FACTS!

You could lose 1-2% of lean muscle between ages 30 and 40.

3-5% between ages 40 and 50.

Up to 5-10% between ages 50 and 60.

Muscle loss is a significant health risk as we age, increasing the chances of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and injury.

🚨 Many avoid quality strength training because they don't know how, dislike feeling sore, or believe the myth that cardio is enough for weight loss (I'll debunk this myth in another post).

Don’t waste precious time training the wrong way. Dedicate at least 2-3 days per week to strength training to stay healthy and active 💪✨

05/13/2024

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate not only the women who gave us life but the universal concept of motherhood. It is a nurturing force that transcends individual experiences.

While the relationships we have with our biological mothers may be complicated for many reasons, we are all nurtured by a broader, collective maternal presence. This universal mother is reflected in the supportive figures around us, from family members and mentors to the nurturing aspects of nature itself.

Mother's Day is an opportunity to honor both our personal mothers and the universal qualities of motherhood that support and sustain us all. It’s a day to acknowledge the essence of motherhood through caring, guiding, and nurturing as a fundamental part of the human experience that connects us across cultures and communities.

Whether through the earth that feeds us or the people who guide us, we see the universal mother’s hand in our lives; teaching us to nurture ourselves and each other.

On this day, may we honor all the people who mother.

05/08/2024

Awaken Within incorporates breathwork as a fundamental practice, utilizing the breath as a tool for exploration. However, unlike traditional instructed breathwork, our approach focuses on allowing natural rhythms to emerge as your mind, body, and heart open to unravel what lies within.

While I provide guidance on various breathing rhythms to help you find your flow, the process becomes intuitive once you begin. You may find yourself expressing through shouts, sighs, or songs, and even discover words or mysterious languages that release internal barriers.

AWB Breathwork is a journey, with our workshop spanning 7.5 hours, with 2 hours dedicated to your breathwork practice. Our supportive environment, facilitated by experienced guides and fellow participants, enables profound exploration, far beyond what shorter, less supported events offer.

Furthermore, our workshop delves into shadow work, guiding you in uncovering, unmasking, and integrating forgotten aspects of yourself that have been overshadowed by your self-image.

DM me to learn more and embark on this transformative journey with us. Tania Hughes Wellness

05/07/2024

Awaken Within Breathwork & Shadow Work is a full day experience that harnesses the power of deep rhythmic breathing to unlock the body's innate healing wisdom for profound emotional catharsis, somatic release, and transformative personal insight.

Unlike other breathwork events where you're lost amongst a crowd of strangers and asked to bring all your own supplies and meals, Awaken Within offers a premium experience providing you with all the comfort and support to explore one of the fastest growing trends in mind-body wellness.

Register today and use coupon code: MAY-AWB100 for $100 off your admission to the May 19th event.

What can breathwork do for you?
😌 Alleviate chronic stress and anxiety by stimulating the vagus nerve
🤩 Enhance mental clarity and focus by releasing mental blocks
🤗 Improve emotional resilience to triggers and reduce reactivity
🤔 Cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and gain personal insights

DM me for more information about this event!

I hope to see you there!

05/04/2024

Stan Grof describes a specific subgroup of non-ordinary states of consciousness that he refers to as holotropic.This video is an excerpt from SAND Anthology ...

05/01/2024

Here is an interesting 2017 blog post from Psychology Today, discussing the concept of diaphragmatic breathing as a powerful tool to stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and reducing stress responses. It delves into its historical roots in Eastern practices and its validation through modern scientific research, emphasizing its benefits in improving heart rate variability and overall well-being. The post highlights various studies supporting the efficacy of diaphragmatic breathing and offers practical techniques for incorporating it into daily routines.

The integration of diaphragmatic breathing into modern stress management practices bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary science, offering a holistic approach to well-being. What's particularly fascinating is how a simple act like breathing, which we often take for granted, holds such profound physiological and psychological effects. It prompts a reevaluation of our relationship with our bodies and our capacity to influence our health through mindful practices. Moreover, the adaptability of these techniques to fit into busy lifestyles underscores their accessibility and potential for widespread adoption, potentially transforming how we address stress and promote resilience in today's fast-paced world.

Vagus Nerve Survival Guide: Phase One (This entry is first in a 9-part series.)

04/27/2024

🤔 Could Breathwork offer a safe and effective alternative to psychedelic therapies?

Now, an upcoming study led by Johns Hopkins aims to explore its potential in treating PTSD among veterans with Holotropic Breathwork.

According to the article, "With psychedelics, for example, patients are "strapped into the roller coaster ride," as he puts it, regardless of any discomfort that might arise; they can't untake the pill. Breathwork allows for adjustments and the ability to suspend treatment instantaneously."

Unlike psychedelics that are still in legal limbo in many states, Breathwork focuses on the innate healing wisdom of the "inner healer", facilitating transformative experiences that come from within.

It will be interesting to learn how Breathwork compares, and if there is broader application for those who, for any reason, are unable to access or use plant medicine.

What do you think?

An upcoming, first-of-its kind study hopes to prove that Holotropic Breathwork therapy can treat PTSD in veterans

04/26/2024

On the journey of personal growth, change is the threshold we must cross to unlock the doors to our true selves. Each time we face change, we stand at a crossroads, where the familiar meets the unknown.

These moments of transformation are rare and sacred. They stand as gateways to uncharted territories within us, beckoning us to explore the depths of our potential and possibility.

Navigating change requires courage and resilience. It's like stepping into the wilderness, uncertain yet hopeful. Along the way, we shed old habits and beliefs, making space for new growth.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty and chaos of change, there is beauty to be found. It is in these moments of upheaval that we discover the strength within us and the resilience that carries us through the darkness into the dawn of a new day.

So, when faced with change, remember: "The doors to your wild self are few but precious." Each one offers a chance to step into your authenticity and purpose. Embrace the journey, and you'll find yourself closer to the truth of who you are.