Sarah’s Experience with Tao Te

“I am incredibly grateful to the level of physical healing I have experienced.” 

“It sounds so simple, doing “nothing” an allowing the divine to step in and aid you.”

My body hit a wall a few years ago, I could barely move, walking more than 5 minutes was beyond painful and I was sleeping a minimum of 12 hours a day. Ten years as a competitive ice skater, and, shall we say, an “entertaining” childhood had caught up with me. So I pulled out every trick that I knew: diet, acupuncture, shamanic work, chakra energy work, meditation, Feldenkrais, cranial sacral, massage, positive affirmations, therapy, a couple of not so positive affirmations, good books, obsessive thinking, music, movies, mentors, chocolate, talking with every friend in the Rolodex, tarot readings, kundalini yoga exercises, the whole crystal collection from the eighties was unpacked and put to use, Western doctors and tests, chanting, zen, buddhism, laughter, astrology, space clearing, enzymes, visualization, color therapy, detoxing cleanses, staring at the ocean, sitting in coffee shops sipping mochas, journaling, Reiki, hot baths, oh and a bit of Feng Shui for good measure. Now I had some epiphanies during all of this for certain, but my body would improve for a little while and then inexplicable get worse. I found myself saying over and over again that “Nothing is working!”…. Then one day, over a cup of mocha, a friend told me about Tao Te Bodywork, and that it was really about doing nothing… Nothing? I said, “Wow, I could use a dose of nothing right about now because all this doing something to fix everything doesn’t seem to be doing me a bit of good at this point. Everything that used to work not longer works.

So I made and appointment, where I practically leapt onto her table, ignoring her attempt at a disclaimer that everything in my life would change. “Yeah, yeah,” I said, “let’s get on with it!” So she calmly sat there holding my foot doing nothing to me. No philosophy, no pointing out what might I want to change, no pills to swallow, not visualizations, no manipulations of my physical body or my energy… she just let me be which allowed me to have an inkling of what it is to Be rather than to Do. In that state of gradual surrender to “what is”, my body and my essence began to re-integrate, to become whole. A by-product of having a chance every week to just be, has been that a my body is healing. But the best part has been that I am more aware and more joyful. This state of ease and peace permeates every aspect of my life. The chance to learn how to give that gift to others is the next logical step in my life.

Lisa Light’s Experience with Tao Te

“Many things will catch your eye but only a few will catch your heart… Pursue those!”

When I got divorced after being with the same person since I was 13 year old, some of the 31 years all together, I had a lot of change to handle. For the first time I wanted to be more than someone’s daughter or wife of mother or grandmother. I needed to find out who Lisa was and what was she supposed to do to make a difference in the lives of others. I wanted to heal past wounds and free myself from what felt like quicksand.

I was very fortunate, and will always be appreciative, that when I needed them most, I was led to what I’ll call “my angels” that helped me on my journey. I was in an incredible women’s counseling group led by Ann Jealous. When I felt I had out grown the invaluable support I received, I moved on to breakfree led by Janet Thomas. After that was a more spirutal support group of women that met monthly at a private home. They all helped me in so many ways and yet I found myself knowing that something deep inside me, in my cells, deep in my bones, still existed and had to be released. I had no idea how this was goign to happen but I knew I had to take a break from groups and reading self-help books. I had talked enough. I knew I needed to go deeper and really heal.

I feel in my heart, looking back on it, that it was all meant to be, divinely orchestrated, for me to end up at The Jade House (House of Tao). I called for weeks before I was able to get in to see Jade. I had to drive 45 minutes into Santa Cruz from Monterey… The first time she put her hand on my neck, I started to cry, I realized something was about to happen.

That was over 3 years ago and I still go to The Jade House every week. I have released so much. The transformations have gone all the way down deep in my bones. It was what would teach me how to do nothing and allow the space for real presence. Jade, so patiently, created an environment filled with angels that allowed my body to feel safe, respected and empowered. I began to release, to build self confidence and character, and to heal.

Jade did not give me a pill or try to heal me. It wasn’t quick, or easy or painless. It was real and the most life changing experience. I found myself no longer in quick sand unable to move forward. I was like a race horse that wanted to move, to race, but felt stuck, frustrated and agitated. But now I feel like I am contently galloping around wild and free.

Recently I began to know that this is what my entire life has been leading towards. I know the first 50 years my greatest contribution was the incredible 3 men I was privelileged to bring into this world and nuture into adulthood. The next 50 years will focus on what I believe I was sent here to do. Jade was there for me with the greates tool imaginable and I need to be there for those I can feel are waiting for me.

Tao Te Bodywork has made the biggest difference in my life and it will be the way I make the biggest difference in the lives of others. Tao Te Bodywork is the best way I know to empower another human to heal and live a blissful life. As Jade has taught me so well… “it’s in the doing of NOTHING that magic really happens.” What a priviledge to be a part of all this magic!

Lisa Light is trained in massage, facials, alternative forms of energetic healing, is a certificated public school teacher, a dancer, mother and grandmother. She is passionate about providing safe, non-judgmental, supportive space to allow for genuine transformation physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Lisa is an Esalen Massage practitioner specializing in “stressmelter” massages that combine music and touch in a fluid dance unique to each body. She is a certified Tao Te practitioner, an ancient Asian healing art which honors the body’s wisdom and innate healing ability. This clothes on, light-touch bodywork consists of gently holding and supporting the body cultivating the stillness, awareness and inner space for profound change.
Those who have received this work report an increased sense of well-being, reduced stress, more balanced emotions, reduced pain, more fluid movement and an increased capacity for joy and acceptance. Lisa combines her light-touch techniques with quality products to perform a classic facial that soothes, relaxes and helps achieve a healthier, glowing complexion.

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