I began this journey in my hometown of Fairfield, CT. It was a most wonderful time for new and exciting things and information on various topics went beyond what had ever been examined or talked about before. The one thread that really peeked my interest was natural healing arts. Magically, a very cool health food store opened in town. First of it's kind in the entire county-- It was chock full of all the   kinds of stuff I was so curious about and thirsty for. The owners welcomed you to browse, sample and hang around. They even had a tiny reading section with books and magazines.................
I think I actually lived there for a short time.

It was the beginning of my love affair with this 'new' field. (My love affair with books began many years earlier. I won an award from the local library summer reading program. Apparently I read more books than anyone my age that summer.) So, I started reading & buying these unique and off beat books for my own 'library.'

Around the same time I began to hear stories of car crash victims who were told they'd never walk again and heard tales of people stricken with severe back problems who were told that a very risky surgery may be the only way to help. (The risk was of course permanent paralysis.)  Whispers from  the 'underground'  community  were praising a man in town who seemed to be performing miracles. This just didn't make sense to me. They'd say "Go see Dr. so-n-so, he'll help!"  People did.   Now I had a new mission, to find out what this guy was doing and more importantly why weren't 'modern' medical professionals  doing what  he was doing? Seemingly getting to the root of the problem and  alleviating  back pain. "Fixing" these people to  walk again without surgery or drugs. This intrigued me. Was it true? It seemed so far fetched because at this period in time we were taught & or believed medical doctors were "God". SO, what was going on here? He was, by the way, a Chiropractor which at the time was deemed worthless, highly controversial and utter quackery by the allopathic MD's.

Simultaneously, I'd had also watched (helplessly) as my grandfather grew gravely ill from cancer. The family turned to the only organization available at the time. We trusted them. We took their advice & information regarding proper treatment and care. We gave them lot's of money in the name of donations. Desperate, confused and afraid-- we learned, albeit to late, that they weren't as informed as they professed or worse, weren't interested in finding cures. The particulars don't matter anymore.

 I was introduced to yoga around this time, the early 1970's. I loved how it made me feel both physically and mentally. It made me happy, confident and fit. It removed aches and pains from the other athletic involvements in my life.  I was committed and became a serious yoga student. I wanted it in my life forever. A few years later I felt called to learn & experience more. 

In 1979, I spent the entire summer at an ashram in my home state studying the branches of yoga, yoga sutras, anatomy & physiology- An in depth  teacher training progra. This led to my yoga teaching certificate. I was the youngest attendee. Upon 'graduation' I was eager & anxious to share the information with EVERYBODY and started teaching Yoga immediately in various nearby towns.

By the early 1980's I had launched "The Body/Mind Connection" which featured yoga classes, meditation, massage, energywork & relaxation techniques. I had a hard time finding a space in which to offer these techniques to the public. Quite alot of skepticism was out there. Mostly fear. But, I had great visions of where this information could be offered, "sure things"- places where it would fit so perfectly or so i thought! I started with the 3 local hospitals in the area. They threw me out. I offered it to the health clubs-They laughed me right out the front door. FYI-Aerobics was HOT at this time and the whole outfit thing was happening in all the workout centers . (You remember headbands & leg warmers don't you?) Yoga didn't register on the 'Cool' charts-LOL

I continued my search and tried to rent space from which to teach. I went to churches. That went over liike a lead balloon --I was asked to leave and not come back. They thought yoga was a religion.  I had no idea that I was seeing so far into the future.

The culmination of these things, combined with what in my heart felt so 'right', so natural, so utterly simple continued to guide and direct me. Spending my entire life immersed in studies from  natural healing properties of food (made by Mother Nature-not man-made in laboratories), various energy techniques, numerous yoga practices becoming an Ordained Minister, and finally a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine. This gruelling formal educational process included the opportunity to attend Yale University with my  Doctoral degree from The University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine-in Connecticut. Part of my thesis included  designing the intervention for a Yale/Griffin Hospital clinical trial titled  "A yoga and breathwork intervention for adults with mild to moderate asthma."

After graduation I had little time to rest. I was receiving very strong messages in every meditation session to 'relocate to Florida.' As I learned along time ago, GO with GOD and listen/trust inner guidance. So i did just that. I sold everything I owned and moved.

The name "Soulstice" -yes, this exact spelling, is the natural progression from my  Body/Mind Connection days. Since I had used that name  for much of my journey it seemed only fitting to embellish it Body Mind & Soul. Hence the domain name. I've spent 7 wonderful years serving the Sanibel-Captiva community and now in my 8th year am further blessed by the ability to hold a space from which to further community growth in body-mind-soul practices. In October 2009 SANIBEL YOGA will open its doors. This new 'home' can be easily found  at 2496 Palm Ridge Rd, Sanibel. Please stop by, say hello, take some fabulous classes, Breathe, Chill-out & Rejuvenate. The welcome mat is always open.

Thank you for visiting my website and I look forward to customizing a Natural, Holistic, Stress-reducing program for you.

Feel free to view the 2 newest sites sanibel yoga & sanibel yoga classes  and be sure to check back often as new pages will be added... chock full of great info!--Namaste


Remember to BREATHE.......

Radiant Health and a Life full of Vitality
are only moments away!


Thanks for reading,

Many Blessings
Susan Pataky