YOU are the MEDICINE
ABOUT
YOU are the MEDICINE offers self-care programs, breathwork and retreats.
It supports the journey to being kinder humans -
with ourselves, with others and with how we live in the world.
YOU are the MEDICINE is an ally to the LGBTQ2IA+ community and warmly welcomes them here.
This is an inclusive community that supports the authentic expression of who we are.
It is based out of Vancouver, BC, Canada and is owned and operated by Christina Niven.
About Christina Niven
self-care mentor & teacher
breathwork facilitator & trainer
yoga therapist
ceremonialist
soul activist
bhakti yogi
I assist and guide people in cultivating kinder, more compassionate
relationships within, and use self-care as a path to healing.
Thank you for stopping by to learn more. I am Christina Niven and welcome you here!
In the work that I do, I focus on self-care as a foundational pillar to health and wellbeing. This includes self-care in all aspects of life: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, sexual, relational and financial. When we are able to be conscious and skillful in these areas, we have greater possibilities to thrive and be well in our lives.
I work holistically with people and weave together multiple threads of learning and experience that I have acquired over the past 25 years. I bring to you my knowledge and experience as a certified IAYT yoga therapist, 20+ years as a yoga teacher and shamanic student, and six years as a certified senior Breathwave facilitator and trainer. I have completed training in year 2 of 3 in Somatic Experiencing developed by Dr. Peter Levine - a body-oriented approach to healing trauma. And, I am currently working towards my Masters in Counselling Psychology with the intention of adding this to my wheel house and further supporting people in coming into more compassionate, empowered and embodied relationships with themselves.
Life gives many opportunities for evolution, if one so chooses. Mine has been facilitated through some significant life challenges that include recovery from a long-time eating disorder, quelling of the inner critic, and navigating anxiety, burnout, codependency and deep loss. I have learned through personal experience about cultivation of self-worth and belonging. All of these have given me opportunities to become a deeper, more loving, compassionate and self-aware human being. They necessitated that I learn to love myself, validate from within, tame the perfectionist and live more gently, compassionately and mindfully in this world. I believe that our greatest pains and challenges are the equivalent to the grains of sand in the oyster shell - with the potential to create a pearl. This is how I choose to see life - that we are evolving beings with an incredible ability for self-healing, transformation and growth ... particularly so when there is support, encouragement and love.
Some of the gifts that I bring are my open heart, depth and vulnerability. I do not pretend to know-it-all ... and I have insights and guidance that may be helpful and are informed by what I have learned and studied. I continue to work through my own "stuff" - as we all do - and have become more skillful in navigating through the triggers, the muck and in cleaning it up if needed.
For me, it is a great honour and fills my heart to support others in their healing and growth, and to witness as they come into alignment with who they are and what truly matters for them.
"true power is living the realization that you are your own healer, hero, and leader. it is when you share your truth with compassion and peace. your power grows when you make progress in your own freedom and wisdom. those who are truly powerful do not harm themselves or other; instead, they use their energy to enrich all they know with love."
~ yung pueblo
Let's connect!
I'd love to hear from you.
Christina Niven
YOU are the MEDICINE
Vancouver, BC
Canada
E-Mail: christina@youarethemedicine.ca
Phone: 604-649-8522