Dearest Ferns of the Forest

There are moments in life when you pause, take a breath, and realize something meaningful has been quietly weaving itself together behind the scenes.

Before I introduce someone very special to you, I want to share something personal—because at y Respira, healing has always begun with honesty, safety, and trust.

Yesterday, I ran 2.25 miles.
I also crossed my 90-day mark of running, something I once wasn’t sure my body—or my breath—would ever allow. I am deeply proud of this. Not because of the distance, but because it represents choosing myself, again and again, even when fear is loud.

Amelia was originally referred to me for bodywork and coaching, and I am profoundly grateful for that connection. As many of you know, the way I support others on their healing journey is the same way I live my own: by first establishing safety, then allowing trust to grow over time. Trust cannot be rushed—it is earned through consistency, presence, and care.

We have been working together since August, and during that time, life unfolded in ways that were heavy. As the realities around ICE and humanity’s shadows played out, I found myself not feeling safe in my nervous system. The mental tigers of ignorance—of forgetting what humanity truly is—felt real and frightening.

I kept asking myself:
How do I run from a tiger if every time fear arises, asthma threatens my breath?

Even writing this now, I feel my heart flutter.
And still… as life continues to happen, so must I.

I love myself enough to keep doing the things that make me uncomfortable—always holding my inner child’s hand while I do.

As life evolved, so did our relationship. Amelia coaching me, me coaching Amelia. Somewhere in that exchange, we felt a universal pull to work more closely together.

I have long searched for someone who brings something to the table that I don’t. And then one day, in class, there it was.

Lisa and Amelia were sitting side by side. I overheard Lisa whisper to Amelia—who was a complete stranger to her at the time—
“This is what holistic healing feels like.”

Lisa is the Yin to my Yang.
And it turns out… Amelia has become the Yang to my Yin.

After class, watching them talk felt like witnessing balance come alive. I introduced them as my Yin and Yang, and honestly—life felt pretty cool in that moment.

As it turns out, Amelia brings an incredible depth of experience in managing boutique studios. And well… that is exactly what I need.

She once said to me, “Claudia, it’s all about supply and demand.”
And my guiding principle has always been this:
I run the business—it does not run me.
When it starts to, I must shift gears. Because my health, my breath, and my Orenda—my spirit—come first.

A good night’s rest.
The ability to maintain my breathing.
These are non-negotiables.

So I asked Amelia if she would be willing to work with me beyond coaching.

We have been working quietly behind the scenes for some time now, and I can honestly say—it is shifting my breathing, my nervous system, and my capacity in ways I didn’t know were possible.

Here are just a few of her credentials:

• NASM Certified Personal Trainer

• NASM Certified Nutrition Coach

• NASM/ACE Behavioral Change Specialist

• Classical Pilates Instructor

• NASM/AFAA/ISSA Certified Cycling Instructor

More importantly, the fact that Chris, Victoria, Lisa, and everyone who has met her are loving her energy brings me so much Ease. And Ease was my word last year—the work I committed to fully.

Along the way, I experienced more “ghosting.” I’ve learned to see this as people gently filtering themselves out of my life with the help of the Universe—simplifying my world so I could arrive here.

So… thank you, ghosters.
And thank you, Universe.

With much adieu, it is my absolute joy to introduce
our new Studio Liaison, Amelia Sheffler.

I cannot wait for you to meet her and feel her presence in the space.
You can read her full bio here:

With love, breath, and deep gratitude,