Learn How to Navigate Your Health Journey with Greater Confidence, Compassion and Ease​

​Simply by moving your body
a little more than you are right now!

Hakomi Health Coaching is a style of health coaching and exercise therapy that guides you to take those first steps to increasing your physical activity levels, or starting an exercise program, that would help improve your health.
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We work with the somatic wisdom of the body to gently move you through any challenges that may have been holding you back from getting started, so you can more forward with greater confidence, compassion and ease.

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Sometimes a heartfelt conversation, a little guidance and some encouragement ​is all it takes to set a new path into motion...

Kristen Braid, MKin, CSEP-CEP
Kinesiologist | Health & Wellness Coach

Hakomi Health Coaching is great if you:

• Used to be active but life happened and you're having a hard time getting back on track
• Have been sedentary your whole life but are feeling the nudge now to start to move more to improve your health
• Have been diagnosed with a chronic health condition such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease (or any other health condition) and aren't sure where to start or what is safe for you to do

If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place!

With over 20 years experience helping people take those first steps to becoming more active, I know how hard it can be in the beginning to just get moving.

My specialization is in helping beginners get started. If you have horrible memories of bootcamp style approaches to exercise in the past that only left you in pain or were too overwhelming to keep up with, I can assure you that you are in safe hands here!

My approach is gentle and meets you exactly where you are at. I listen to what your goals are, what your current lifestyle is, what is and isn't working for you and then guide you to gradually add more physical activity into your life in a way that works with the lifestyle you already have (and with the body you are living in!)..

You'll leave your first session with a clear Plan for Active Living to get you started which we can build on over time if you choose to book follow up sessions.

The Hakomi Health Coaching Method

Where the Spirit of Mindfulness, Compassion and Curiosity
Come Together to Clear the Path for Success

What is different about Hakomi Health Coaching?
If you are thinking - "I've tried this so many times before and I just don't know why I can't stay on track" - please know that this is completely normal! Sometimes there are things going on just below the surface of our awareness that appear as invisible road blocks to our success.

In a nutshell, negative experiences can wire the nervous system to protect you from doing things that have hurt you in the past. And even if the mind isn't consciously aware that this is what is happening, the brain sends signals to the body that says - stop, don't go there!

This results in a tug of war - the mind says "I know exercise is good for me" and the body says - "I feel safer staying on the couch!" This battle can get really frustrating, which is why I use the Hakomi Method when these things come up to help you re-wire your nervous system so that your mind and your body can get on the same page and taking those next steps becomes so much easier!

If you would like some support to start an exercise program, or just generally get moving a bit more, I'd love to help get you started!

Everybody needs something a bit different but I find most people receive everything they need to lay a solid foundation to develop a Plan for Active Living within 1 to 3 sessions. Of course, if you want ongoing support to keep you going, you are welcome to keep coming back!

In Person/Online Initial Session: 75 min | $120
In Person/Online Follow Up Session: 60 min | $95

Sessions are offered both in-person and online via Zoom.

For In Person Sessions
I am located at Azure Massage and Wellness | 5007 49 St. Camrose, Alberta Canada. Payment is accepted by cash or e-transfer at the time of your session.

For Online Sessions
You will receive an email with the Zoom link you can use at the time of your session to connect with me. Payment can be made online by credit card at the time of booking.

If you have questions or prefer to book offline, please feel free to call or text 587-215-6100 or email [email protected]​

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How it works:

• Private sessions are a blend of a variety of modalities I use including health & wellness coaching, the Hakomi method and Kinesiology.
• Your first session will be an in depth assessment where I get to know you, what you've been dealing with and what you want to see change as a result of your sessions. Then we will work together to develop first steps -  a plan you feel good about starting with. Your follow up sessions will focus on moving you towards your goals.

Hakomi Health Coaching
​​At the core of coaching is the belief you have all of the answers inside of you, you just need a safe space to explore the truth of what you are experiencing so the path forward can become clear.

• Coaching is simply a conversation about what is important to you, what challenges you've been facing and then problem solving so you can feel confident (and hopefully excited) about the action steps you are going to take.
• I will help you develop a clear vision for what you want for yourself and your health. The thing about creating a vision is this - once you set your sights on what you really, truly want - everything that is not aligned with that vision will come up for review. This is why it can get overwhelming to make big changes on our own.
• The good news is that with coaching, we take things one step at a time, creating consistent changes that add up over time.​

The Hakomi Method
​Sometimes even with the best intentions, we can feel blocked in making lifestyle changes without really knowing why.

• Wanting to move forward and not knowing why we aren't following through on the things we know are good for us is frustrating! This is where Hakomi helps. It brings into your awareness the root source of what is keeping you stuck and provides gentle guidance and support to move through the pattern, allowing you to feel confident about the changes you are making..
• We access these unconscious patterns by listening to the language of the body while in a state of mindful, compassionate awareness. You don't have to know how to do this, I guide you every step of the way.

​Kinesiology & Holistic Lifestyle Practices
Kinesiology is simply the study of human movement. Working in the fitness and healthcare industries for over 20 years, while also going on a deep dive into my own spiritual journey, I have developed an approach to health that bridges the current medical model with a variety of holistic lifestyle practices that nourish the mind, emotions, body and Soul.

• My approach is mindful, compassionate and meets you exactly where you are at.
• When we work together, I will have an understanding of what you are dealing with from a clinical perspective while also adding a twist of holistic practices to shine even more light onto your health journey.​
• When my "Kinesiology hat" is on - I become an educator. I provide you with information based on what I've learned over the years to help you create a lifestyle that will best support your health. You decide what feels right for you, and we go from there!

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Hi, I'm Kristen!
I believe that deep inner healing and a truly holistic approach to health can lead to breakthroughs in chronic disease management.

It is my mission to uplift the heart of our world to greater experiences of Love, Health & Harmony.
​In a world that seems to be turning upside down, it can be easy to lose hope for what the future holds, especially if you've been diagnosed with a chronic health condition or are worried you may develop one if something doesn't change.

That is why I do what I do, to empower you to create a life and lifestyle you can fall in love with.

Our bodies know their way back to health, we just have to learn the language of the body to light the path forward to get there.

The Soul Inspired
Path for Healing
My Core Practices are the anchor for all of the work I do.

Grounding
The body only heals when it is rested and feels safe. My trauma informed approach to care meets you where you are at and allows you to move forward in a way that feels good to you.

Honest Self Reflection
One way to gain clarity and release stuck energy is to get really honest about what is going on. You may talk yourself out of a particular inner experience because you were taught at some point that it was wrong to think or feel that way. In our sessions I hold a space of loving presence, so you can explore what is really going on - no judgements!

Self Compassion
We only heal in the presence of love, yet, we are taught to be so hard on ourselves. You will develop a more compassionate relationship with your body and your life experiences, which will allow you to move forward with more confidence and ease.

Gentle Transformation
​Gently move away from lifestyle habits that no longer align with the vision of health you have created for yourself and move towards a lifestyle you can fall in love with!

If this sounds like a path you'd like to walk, I'd love to meet with you!
​You can click below to book your first session.

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Frequently asked questions:

​Are your services covered by insurance?

• While most plans do not cover Kinesiology services, you can check with your insurance provider to see if you may be covered under a health spending account. My credentials are a Masters of Kinesiology and Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology - Clinical Exercise Physiologist. 

​​What is the difference between Kinesiology and Physiotherapy?

• Physiotherapy focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating injuries or conditions to restore function. It often includes assessment to determine what structures are injured as well as hands-on therapy, exercise programs, and medical rehabilitation.
  Kinesiology is the study of human movement and healthy lifestyle practices. I focus on the quality of how you are moving in your body and provide guidance to support your overall health and wellness.
• If you have recently been injured or are involved in an active WCB claim, I recommend seeking Physiotherapy treatment. I do not diagnose or treat acute injuries. My work is focused on developing healthy lifestyle habits and not on recovery or rehabilitation.

​What does Hakomi mean?

• Hakomi is an ancient word from the old Hopi language meaning "Where do I stand in relation to these many realms", an ancient form of inquiry asking "Who are you?". Please click here to learn more about the origin story of how the Hakomi Institute was named.
• The Hakomi Method was developed in 1980 by Ron Kurtz, a psychotherapist who started to witness that when he held a space of unconditional loving presence for his clients, their own unique process of healing unfolded. He noticed a predictable organic cycle common to all of his clients, and from there, the Hakomi Method was born.
• While myofascial release unwinds long held patterns in our tissues, Hakomi unwinds long held patterns in our psyche. Like untangling a tangled ball of yarn, one knot is released at a time, eventually leading you back to your most natural and whole state of being.