Abbey's love for the natural world and respect for all of creation has brought her to a spiritual path that combines shamanic techniques, guardianship, playfullness and strength.  She is a firm believer in the power of play and joy for healthy living.  Abbey is the laughing guardian - believing that being fully present and playful is an important piece of the work she does. 

She began her formal training in 1991 with the Church of Earth Healing.  Under the teaching and supervision of Bekki Shining Bearheart and Crow Swimsaway, she started exploring the alternate realities by taking the Basic Shamanism class.  At that time, there was a series of Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Shamanic training available through the Church of Earth Healing.  Through the years, Abbey has had the privilege to work closely with Bekki and Crow via different avenues.  Some of these avenues include, but are not limited to; ancestor work, weekend events, guest teachers, ceremony, etc.  She attended their Shamanic Intensive for the first time in the fall of 1995.  During this time, she was also engaged in a yearlong Tattoo and Body Piercing apprenticeship with Crow.  A few years later, she found herself needing a refresher and decided to take the Shamanic Intensive a second time (Spring/Summer 1999).  Working so closely with Bekki, Crow and The Church of Earth Healing for so many years has given Abbey a solid foundation from which to build her skills, interests and talents. 

As for traditional, western education, Abbey likes to tell people that she has a Masters in Play.  This isn’t too far from the truth.  She holds a Master of Science in Physical Education, Recreation Studies; a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Studies, Interpretive Services and Camping with a Minor in Fine Art; all of which are from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  She also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Recreation and Wildlife Technology and Interpretive Services from Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.

This in mind, call upon Abbey if you ever forget how to play.  She offers workshops and guidance on the importance of leisure, stress reduction through play, and the necessity of fun is to your health and wellbeing.  She believes that if you are not happy, then you need to make a change.

Over the years, Abbey found has that she has an ability to stay calm and grounded during intense events giving her the ability to offer insightful guidance and provide safe space for others to do their work.  She has found that being the guardian; creating a safe “container” and maintaining the integrity of that “container” are where she excels.  This work helps her and those around her to feel safe and protected while they engage in ceremony, healing work, emotional releases...   She also enjoys teaching others how to become and remain “grounded, centered and shielded” as she believes that this is an important element to health, happiness and continued spiritual/emotional growth.

"Act happy, feel happy, be happy without a reason in the world.  Then you can love, and do what you will."      

 One of Abbey's favorite quotes from "Way of the Peaceful Warrior"  by Dan  Millman 

Abbey can be reached at abbzilla@hotmail.com