“Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path”. Zen Proverb

I have been practicing dentistry for over a ¼ century. Now that is a lot of sitting with poor posture under demanding situations. Unfortunately, science now tells us that if you continually bathe your myofascial tissue in stress chemicals it will contract sparking myofascial dysfunction leading to pain. Ah, life as a dental professional.

Thankfully I had the insight early in my career to join a morning yoga class before heading to my dental practice. I was told back then yoga would help me “stretch out” all my aches and pains that accumulated from poor sitting postures.

This was a life changing decision for me! It only took a few weeks to recognize that not only was the yoga practice good for me physically, but also emotionally, and mentally. I was less reactive and could think more clearly.

The next question for me was “Why” did yoga have such a profound effect on me and “what was the mechanism of action”? The answers came to me years later from the Benson Henry Institute for Mind-body Medicine and the language was in science (hurray)!

It has been years since I became a BHI Certified SMART Healthcare Provider. I have taught thousands of people the science of stress reduction, and helped pave the way for more resilience and compassion. The steps are simple but not always easy.

Stress is an inflammatory disease and it increases our vulnerability to hundreds of diseases, and as a dentist this is important for me personally and for my patients. I have such enthusiasm to make a difference to others through the benefits of the SMART program: physically, emotionally, mentally, behaviourally, relationally, and even spiritually. We all desire to be happy, have meaning and purpose, to be connected and to thrive in this world.

I am passionate about helping you participate in your journey of wellbeing, so please join me and see where your life takes you.

For the past few decades, I have been studying stress physiology both intellectually and experientially through the effects of my own personal stressors on my life. Unfortunately, what I have found is that chronic stress is really detrimental to our health span and wellbeing. To me, the most alarming finding of stress physiology is that stress is an inflammatory disease and research can now link chronic stress to an increased vulnerability to hundreds of conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and neuropsychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression and dementia.

But our days are full of intense stressors, right? What are we to do since we can’t erase all sources of stress in our lives? Luckily there are many solutions to reduce our stress and build resilience.

In 2017 I attended Harvard Medical Schools Mindbody Medicine Conference, and this is where I learned about and registered for the Stress Management and Resiliency Training Program (SMART). It was a life changer for me, so much so that I am now certified to teach the program.

SMART, which is backed by 50 years of research, teaches self-care practices that help participants buffer daily stress, regain a sense of emotional control, reduce medical symptoms, and enhance quality of life.

To date, through my presentations, workshops and formal SMART program, I have taught thousands of people tools to metabolize stress more effectively, think more clearly, foster resilience, and thrive from an optimistic mind-space.

I also bring mindbody medicine with me to my patients in my own dental practice. Due to healthcare shortages, accessing primary medical care in my community is a huge challenge. I feel like it is important for me to embody these concepts and educate the patients I connect with regularly so that I can also make a difference to their health and wellbeing.

I have been motivated by my own stressful voyage through life and inspired by my own healing. I am enthusiastic to help you — help yourself by learning to participate in your own wellness. As a Benson-Henry Institute SMART-healthcare practitioner, I can help you move through adversity with courage, connection, and self-compassion that will empower growth and adaptation transforming your life to one of health, happiness and fulfillment.