Consciousness Rising

Francie White, MA, Ph.D.

franciewhite.com

Francie White is a philosopher of consciousness and cosmology, as well as a longstanding theorist in the fields of the psychology of eating, exercise & body image. Now retired from four decades treating all forms of disordered eating, Francie received a PhD in Philosophy, in 2020, specializing in Consciousness Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

She expanded her retreat topics to include contemplations on the underlying nature of reality from quantum physics to neuroscience alongside depth psychology, bringing the profound insights from these topics alive through storytelling, ritual, and many aspects of the creative arts.

She applies her abounding optimistic inquiry toward engaging us to trust the hidden meaning in many of our psychological symptoms, encouraging us to consider that we are so much more than we perceive ourselves to be. By exploring the nature of our being through many fascinating practices Francie invokes a spark of remembering, a resurgence of felt meaning and wonder for those she reaches.

Elissa Shapiro, MSW

bodyvida.com

Elissa Shapiro holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas. She began her career as a psychotherapist, working for many years in inpatient and outpatient settings with children, teens, and young adults, specializing in eating disorders.

Her own path into movement and the healing arts began unexpectedly while attending a retreat with Francie, where she was introduced to the Nia Technique – a joyful, expressive mind-body movement practice. What began as a personal experience that opened a new pathway for her own healing quickly became a profound calling. Elissa fell in love with the way movement invites us to listen to our bodies, access our emotions, awaken our creativity, and experience ourselves in a whole new way.

She became a certified Nia teacher and began exploring a variety of dance and movement practices as pathways for spiritual exploration and healing. She eventually opened a Nia and Expressive Arts studio in Austin, Texas. For more than 25 years, Elissa has woven together her background in psychology and social work with her deep love of movement, dance, creativity, and the healing arts.
Through classes, workshops, and retreats in Austin and around the country, Elissa creates nurturing spaces for women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and discover new possibilities through movement and creative expression. She believes our bodies hold tremendous wisdom, and that when we create space to listen, move, play, and connect, we can access parts of ourselves that words alone cannot always reach.

At the heart of Elissa’s work is a deep belief in the transformative power of connection – to ourselves, to our bodies, to one another, and to the joy and aliveness that lives within us. She is passionate about creating experiences where women feel safe to explore, free to express, and supported in coming home to themselves.