Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Bloem.
Joanna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Many moons ago, in Marin County, near San Francisco, I met the founder of Rebirthing, Leonard Orr, at a New Year’s Eve Party. He asked me what my name meant. Surprised, I stammered, “Well, my last name means ‘holy day’ in Finnish and ‘martyr’ in Norwegian, or maybe the other way around.” In his quiet, laidback voice, he suggested, “Why don’t you become a martyr to Life? That answer blew my mind! I’d always associated ‘martyrs’ with death so I started working for him the next day, as his first organizer (of seminars) in San Francisco.
Leonard was my first Rebirther – in the famous hot tub at his “Theta House” headquarters – near the infamous Haight-Ashbury district. Immersed face-down in warm water, with a snorkel and nose plugs, I remembered zooming into a body from the vastness of outer space and popping out of my mother’s womb looking for the party. “Where’s my welcoming committee?” I remember asking Leonard, disappointed that no one was there to greet me. I realized later that my mother had been anesthetized so she was still asleep. I was hooked for life on Rebirthing after that experience! What an amazing process!
Rebirthing is a very powerful, yet gentle, safe and effective method of healing and personal growth – which uses our own breath to cleanse the mind/body energy systems of stress and all dis-ease. By breathing in energy (prana) with our air, it “frees” us to experience our natural flow of love, joyful aliveness and creative self-expression. Since the origin of most behavioral difficulties stems from birth and early childhood, through Rebirthing breathing, we can clear out physical, mental and emotional blocks arising from these experiences and get in touch with our own Natural Divinity.
Immediate benefits include:
Deep relaxation and stress reduction;
Better health, stronger energy and vitality;
Empowerment and emotional stability;
Increased perception, creativity and intuition;
Improved communication and relationships;
Grounding, centering and “Youthing.”
I devoured all the seminars Leonard taught on Rebirthing, Physical Immortality, Money, Personal Lies, Relationships and countless other trainings from Sondra Ray, his co-founder, and many other wonderful Rebirthers/Trainers in New York, Mt. Shasta and Los Angeles over the past few decades.
In the early 1970s, my former partner and I founded a Rebirthing community in Boulder, Colorado. We worked in the Boulder Athletic Club’s jacuzzi after-hours – a lovely walk-in square spa, with mirrored walls. We had a thriving practice which lasted a few years – giving and hosting seminars as well as rebirthing clients.
After Boulder, I flew to Europe with Leonard and assisted him at trainings in London, Paris and Geneva. What a lovely way to be introduced to different countries and cultures! When Leonard returned to the States, I stayed in Geneva and rebirthed clients until one of them invited me to accompany him and his girlfriend to India to visit his Guru. The Guru invited me to rebirth people at his ashram but I chose to focus solely on my own spiritual development while I was there. After nine months, I returned to New York City, with new goals and a Vision of uniting my two main interests – Rebirthing and Entertainment.
Because I am also an actress/writer/producer, I have juggled those two main interests ever since and only became a full-time Rebirther about two years ago after my part-time Entertainment Attorney boss retired. I built my very first, and so far only, website and opened my door for clients.
Rebirthing began as, and still is, a true “labor” of love and I feel blessed every time I am given the opportunity to rebirth someone! No “labor” at all. Only an opportunity to be of service to someone seeking to know more about his/her birth and other truly fundamental experiences.
I have had a wide variety of clients, with an even wider range of experiences with them. Because it can make the subconscious conscious, we discovered that Rebirthing can be used to facilitate the remembering and reframing of any traumatic experience. In addition to their own births, my clients have remembered giving birth, early childhood, accidents, operations, parental and sibling dysfunctions and past lives.
I, literally, watch every breath, easing him or her, into those subconscious, super-conscious memories, guiding my client gently through them and into a new understanding of what each meant. We turn traumas into fodder for discovery and growth. I tailor specific affirmations to reframe each negative experience we uncover and encourage each person to find the spiritual lesson contained therein.
To view a short video and read reviews from my clients, please visit www.Breath-of-Life.net.
Breathe your way to Peace, Love and Bliss! Why wait to feel great? Try Rebirthing now! New clients receive a 10% discount on the first session. I will provide an additional 5% discount to readers of this article.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Rebirthing is not for everyone; a certain level of consciousness-seeking is needed. I have never advertised and rely on word of mouth or referrals. Serendipity is involved. Clients hear about it from someone they know, realize that they need or want to do it and show up when they’re ready.
Sometimes I have several clients at a time, sometimes the same one(s) for multiple sessions. Although each session is of value, I have observed the most profound transformations in those who complete 10 or more sessions. They become almost unrecognizable! Rebirthing can be truly transforming – physically – as well as psychologically. Even from the first session. A client can arrive stressed, tense, angry or sad and leave relaxed, happy and walking tall!
The summer months tend to be the leanest – what with vacations, travel and children out of school. Some months I do well. Other months I have to augment my income with acting gigs, private tutoring/life coaching and/or Airbnb guests.
Now things are looking up! I am thrilled to have interest from the producer of a talk show, hosted by a famous comedienne, to film and air a segment on Rebirthing – hopefully next season. Recently, accomplished documentarian Chris Toussaint shot me rebirthing a client, which has been attracting new clients. Please view our clip on my website: www.Breath-of-Life.net or https://youtu.be/FzT7FDu2g5I.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Breath of Life Rebirthing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My Rebirthing business has evolved gradually and continues to change as I learn more about myself, my clients, and my own connection to Spirit. Every Rebirther tends to create his or her own style. Since I’m a long-time meditator and devotee of Paramahansa Yogananda, mine has a strong spiritual component. I emphasize not only transforming one’s subconscious memories but also recognizing and connecting with one’s Higher (or super-conscious) Self. I think both processes are necessary for optimum health, full functioning and, ultimately, Self-Realization.
I am known for creating a spiritual atmosphere, with a candle and photos of saints, in a quiet, relaxing, private and comfortable space in my own home. My clients feel safe to let go and journey within themselves here.
Although I sometimes facilitate group Rebirthings alone, or with another Rebirther, I prefer doing Individual sessions. I get to know my client better and he or she feels safe enough to go deeper inside. More comprehensive transformations tend to happen with my undivided attention. My first session includes an extensive Interview and, with the breathing process afterwards, lasts about 3 hours.
I am most proud of my clients who have completed a series of 10 sessions or more and truly transformed themselves – from timidity to empowerment, from illness to health, from drifting aimlessly to creating their own personal Vision!
In addition to the Rebirthing breathing, oral and written affirmations, I use techniques from Gestalt, Inner Child, dialoguing with oneself to a mirror and Journaling. Although most Rebirths are “dry,” since I was originally trained in the water, I do a “wet” Rebirth as the last or “graduation” session. A “wet” Rebirth feels truly womb-like and can be even more profound. As water is the medium of memory, it helps clients integrate what they’ve uncovered during our sessions. These additions probably set me apart from other Rebirthers.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Since Rebirthing can be used for almost any issue or condition, it deserves to be more widely known. Although there are Rebirthers and Trainings all over the globe, it still is not a household word. This unique yet simple process produces amazing results for people! I agree with Leonard Orr that it should be taught in colleges and universities and practiced in hospitals, birthing centers, jails and psychiatric facilities.
I enjoy rebirthing pregnant women and aim to work with doulas, to help facilitate healthy natural births, preferably in warm water.
I plan to add seminars on various subjects, from a spiritual and wholistic point of view, and eventually train people to become Rebirthers.
I am learning about Internet marketing and am in the process of optimizing my website. Since most of the people who show up from my website end up as clients, I would welcome many more! Although each client ultimately rebirths him or herself, I am truly blessed as I help facilitate their positive results!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Breath-of-Life.net
- Phone: 310.656.0305
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Chris Toussaint
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
