A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME
Hello. My name is Leanne Hewlin and I am a Qualified Level 1 MBSR* Teacher through Brown University, a certified Mindfulness Teacher through The Mindfulness Center of Bethesda, Maryland, and a certified Radical Remission Health Coach & Workshop Instructor. I offer both coaching and meditation sessions on a one-on-one basis as well as group meditation sessions and workshops within schools, workplaces and communities. I am based in Victoria and on Gabriola Island, British Columbia.
By way of background, I am also a California Board Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Nationally Certified Practitioner of Chinese Medicine in the United States, and a Clinical Nutritionist and past owner of Root of Health Acupuncture & Wellness in San Jose, California. I started out my working life as a corporate/securities lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault in Toronto and as General Counsel of the public company, Draxis Health Inc.
It was during my treatment and recovery following a cancer diagnosis that I discovered how powerful Mindfulness Meditation was in my healing journey. I realized that all the best food, medicine, and treatments could not be optimized in a body that was in a chronic stress response and I credit my meditation practice with my profound ability to access the present moment and my inner wisdom, and to better regulate my nervous system both amidst life’s traumas and the challenges of daily life. Having experienced these personal benefits, I am passionate about sharing Mindfulness Meditation with others.
My approach is evidence-based. Using research-backed practices, I guide my clients to increased awareness, greater self-compassion, and more resilience as they learn to better regulate their nervous systems. I empower my clients - both on and off the “meditation cushion” - to approach life with interest, curiosity, and non-judgment and to live more fully and in the moment.
I am a lifelong learner. Having begun my working life as a corporate attorney on Toronto's Bay Street, my natural curiosity leads me to teachings that will both continue my personal healing journey and add to my skill and knowledge base. It is for this reason, that I am also certified as an Associate Coach through Integral Coaching Canada**, a Clinical Nutritionist through Texas Chiropractic College, have obtained a certificate in Somatic Attachment Therapy*** and am currently engaged in further studies to become a Somatic Experiencing(TM) Practitioner****.
*Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
**more info at https://www.integralcoachingcanada.com/
***https://www.theembodylab.com/somatic-attachment-therapy-certificate
****a three year program available through Somatic Experiencing International ( https://traumahealing.org/)