Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Tran.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story began with the teachings of yoga at an early age without knowing it at that time. My upbringing as a second generation Chinese American in Los Angeles is much like what you see on my favorite TV show “Fresh Off the Boat”. It portrays the discipline and high standards of excellence to succeed that gave me the foundation to strive for what I set my heart out to do. But what really brought me to where I am today living my purpose in bringing health and healing to others is my family’s actions of genuine compassion, kind nature, respect, and care for all beings. They were real life examples of karma yoga and ahimsa -selfless action and compassion.
As an immigrant family, we had little but a lot of heart to share. Emotions and feelings weren’t always expressed in our culture, but they showed me the power of compassionate action that shaped my grounded nature and gentle care that I carry out in my wellness offerings today.
Those values and care gave me the foundation to work through years of struggles with body insecurities, living up to expectations of myself and societal influences, and living my truth. Through it all, there were glimpses of a higher knowing coming from within when I was following my intuitive wisdom and aligned with my Dharma or purpose. I’ve never felt right in the traditional route. I traveled for new experiences, searching for something to feed a part of me that couldn’t be fulfilled because I kept looking outward.
In the past decade, I worked in Washington, DC where I was called to bring out my nurturing nature to a community that carried the weight of the world from all walks of life, including myself saying and thinking the same story – My health and needs have to wait until I have time, or have done this or that, etc.
The practices of Yoga and Reiki energy healing showed up in my life at a time when I felt lost, stressed, endless cycles of ups and downs, and following a path that was not mine. I was striving to succeed in something not aligned with my deeper knowing.
The great teachers I’ve met along the way guided me what’s already within and gave me the tools to reconnect with my inner teacher, and to serve the world in a way that I know best and fills my heart. These transformative years reconnected me to the innate wholeness and the spiritual connection I didn’t know was there. It gave me the ability to become a clear channel to share the healing with others.
I’m forever grateful for the inspiration and support from my family, sangha (community), teachers, healers, Mother Earth, and the Universe that have led me to share the gifts of comprehensive health and healing into what is now Giving Earth Healing Arts. They showed me the true nature of who we are as beings on earth – unconditional love and how to share that in our daily living with selfless intentions.
This year, it’s coming back full circle. I tuned into that “inner wisdom” to return home to share the gift of healing with my family and communities in Los Angeles.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After years of traveling, balancing a non-profit job and teaching yoga, I finally followed that inner knowing/Higher Self deep in my core to dedicate my work in wellness full-time. Time and time again, the universe provided all that I needed once I let my higher Self shine through. Opportunities came when I was fully aligned. When I doubted or resisted because of fear, nothing progressed.
It took me a lot of hard lessons to find balance of helping others without being depleted. Bringing health to others brought me all the joy in life, but without true self-care it was not sustainable. I had to practice what I preach. Every time I run on empty, the small self, stories, doubt and fear from the ego snuck back in. Though, it got easier and quicker to overcome each time I remember to nurture myself first.
Starting the wellness practice in LA, I get the opportunity to observe the old patterns and stories and use my practices to help me respond with wisdom and compassion. I’m excited to see how my work unfolds in my hometown, likely in the most interesting and unexpected ways.
Giving Earth Healing Arts – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Giving Earth Healing Arts brings together Yoga Therapy, Reiki Jin Kei Do (the way of Compassion and Wisdom), and mindfulness practices for comprehensive health for the whole person (body, mind, energy, and spirit), and empowers us to become students of our own health. It is self-care for the sake of self-care in our busy world, and not so we can fill our cup in order to do this or that.
I work with individuals to create personalized holistic care that is accessible, sustainable, and become a part of their daily routine. Often times after quick fixes of relaxation or even after a yoga class or healing treatment, we may see immediate relief or shifts but deep rooted source of stress remains and can manifest as pain, tension, disease in the body and affect our relationship with ourselves and others. Through customized care and support, I help individuals learn to transform stress into healthy habits that carries them throughout time and changes through their lives.
I’ve always been told I bring a calming, inviting, and nurturing presence. In this work, it allows me to hold space for others to rediscover the natural healing powers within.
Specialties:
Personalized private and group wellness sessions:
Reiki energy healing, Yoga Therapy, Self-Care Lifestyle Coaching, gentle and restorative yoga, and healing for stress and chronic pain.
Events, Workshops, & Training:
Self-care and corporate wellness programs, Yoga Teacher Training, Reiki Level 1 and Level 2 Training (Level 1 – learn to do Reiki on yourself. Level 2 – advance and practice Reiki on others).
Collaborative workshops and community gatherings with other wellness practitioners:
Self-Care Empowerment for Women, Restoring in Nature, and other wellness topics of interest to the community.
I work with people who are called to bring health back for themselves or need to upgrade old habits and patterns that no longer support their wellness as they go through different changes and transitions in life.
I guide people through the learning of “doing”, “undoing” and “not doing” as part of our self-care journey.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me in this line of work is when my clients and students take away from their own learning in the healing process and make changes big or small in their lives that are aligned with what is already within. They continue on with their journey of health and growth, making positive changes in their relationships, work, and routine guided by their inner wisdom and light.
Success is when things are flowing as it is meant to be and abundance shows up through new opportunities to share the work. I see success clearly when what I am working on has no internal and external resistance, but is challenging in a way that makes me grow personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.givingearthhealing.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: @givingearthhealingarts
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/giving-earth-healing-arts-manhattan-beach
Image Credit:
S.W. Angelsmith Photography and Carrie Alford – Winbird Photography
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