We consider ourselves a collective of like-minded therapists who have chosen to practice massage and other forms of bodywork within a community setting. Even though Stillpoint therapists are independent in scheduling our clients, we are committed to fully participating in the collective by making consensus decisions on business matters and anything that may affect us as a collective. Our overall assumption is that in some way we, as part of the entire universe, are connected in ways and at levels that we cannot fully know. Our view is one that always considers how we, as a community, can directly and indirectly influence the rest of the world in positive ways.

Gary Matthews, L.M.T., Owner

Gary Matthews is the owner and operator of Oz Farm Sanctuary in Goshen, Ohio. He is an ordained minister of The Association For The Integration of The Whole Person (AIWP), www.gettingthru.org, trained by The Venus Rising Institute www.shamanicbreathwork.org. He's a massage therapist licensed by the state medical board of Ohio, and massage insructor at SHI Integrative Medical Massage School, www.shimassage.com. He's a long time yoga practitioner, Kriyabon (initiate of Kriya Yoga), www.yogananda-srf.org, and Shamanic yoga instructor. He's council chief of a long standing men's group, has participated in many sweat lodges and uses the medicine wheel daily. He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. His form of Shamanic Pastoral counseling focuses on body centered, earth-based self-realization. He facilitates personal growth for individuals and groups who are looking for help with spiritual, emotional, and physical issues.

A Shaman is a 'walker between worlds'. Gary does not claim to be a shaman, however, through his personal experience he is able to traverse other worlds consciously, and to facilitate others to do the same. There are many worlds, both conscious and unconscious, in and out of time. The model of health he works with is one in which all of these worlds are balanced, in which we know who we are, regardless of where we are and what's happening. When we visit these worlds, unconsciously we can leave part of ourselves behind, especially when there's trauma or other dissociative occurrences. It can be extremely empowering, satisfying, and even blissful to go back and reclaim these parts of ourselves, to re-member who we really are.

In order to travel and heal like this, it's necessary to enter some form of 'altered consciousness'. This is accomplished through breath, meditation, affirmation, Yoga, and bodywork. Coming from our own body sensations we can access any place that we need to go. It seems so mystical and maybe it is, but it's also easy and available. Many of us spend a lot of time and energy trying to not experience the exact things we need to in order to heal and grow. It is possible to create a safe environment where we can unlock these mysteries.

This kind of work not only benefits the individual but the whole world, the whole Universe. This is the work that our souls came here to do.

Contact: gary@stillpointtherapy.com 513-489-5302

Gregory N Finer, LMT

Tanya Poe, LMT