JOURNEY
THE
My name’s Juno, and I’m an IMTA-certified mindfulness teacher, emotional well-being coach, as well as a commercial photographer residing and working on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Meditation is something I learned as a child from my Taekwondo master. Western mindfulness was taught to me while I was studying psychology at UBC, and it really changed my life. Becoming a chef was possible through mindfulness, and yet, when I found success and hustle culture, I lost the practice. After consecutive burnouts and my health being at an all-time low, I discovered a deeper, embodied mindfulness with the help of a couple of teachers that are dear to me: Hiro Demichelis and Rev angel Kyodo williams Roshi.
Being a generalist and an ultra-learner allows me to harmonize my incredibly diverse life experiences into how I approach all things. My greatest purpose is to continually explore and create the conditions for all beings to be their whole selves. In this moment, that is to help others connect to their felt sense, so they can make the most out of therapy, creativity, movement, love, joy, and life.
The Felt Sense is my life’s work, tapping into my diverse and rich life experiences which include working as a social entrepreneur, fashion buyer, digital marketer, studying science, psychology, economics and sociology, and practicing various lineages of Buddhism, spending the bulk of my time practicing with the BC Insight Meditation Society, Radical Dharma, and InsightLA.
By exploring the intersectionality, themes and through lines of all of these different disciplines, academia and interests, I find what makes up the core of our humanness, our potential, our well-being and our wholeness. This informs my approach to creating space in a way that actually creates meaningful shifts in how we continue to unfold in life.
THOUGHTS
ON MY TIME
AS A CHEF
A question that often arises is whether I miss being a chef — I miss the people, the connection and the energy around sharing food, but I can’t say I miss the lifestyle and lack of routine that my particular approach entailed. With the healing, shifting and perspective I’ve gained, I believe I could do it in a more sustainable way — but the pure love I have for life drives me to explore how to share my explorations on embodiment with others who want to feel into their own wholeness.
I thank everyone who supported me as a chef along the way. I appreciate you with my entire being.
These days, it might sound like I
didn’t enjoy being a chef - it really was
one of the most incredible experiences in my life. That said, I was disconnected from myself and perhaps immature in particular ways, and my mental, physical and spiritual health took a toll from the brute force I exerted into that passion and career.
MY TEACHERS
A shoutout to two incredible teachers who shaped my understanding of the felt sense: Hiro Demichelis and rev angel Kyodo williams. Both were fundamental in shifting my practices from surface level to transformative.
Hiro’s incredible way of holding compassion and warmth was what broke through the armour and mask I had spent a lifetime building. One of the wisest people I know, Hiro is one of the few people whose presence alone is so impactful and healing. Taking The Lab of Meditation was so impactful for cultivating a rich landscape of embodied exploration and the lifelong friendship we’ve developed is something I cherish every day.
The countless hours spent with Rev angel Kyodo williams Roshi and the no big deal crew on Zoom, waxing poetic on Zen, spirituality in general, embodiment, mindfulness, liberation, and life continually guide me on how to integrate the constellations of different frameworks, academia, practices and spiritual traditions into all of life, as life is. Practicing with Rev through Radical Dharma Camp, half/day SITS and Embodied Social Justice Certificate Program has been central to the daily practice I hold dear. I don’t know any other teachings that are as fiercely liberatory as hers.
While The Felt Sense is my life’s work, it wouldn’t be possible without the passion, love and continued support and mentorship of these two incredible human beings.