Erik Jude, Master of Arts Integral Counseling Psychology, California State Certified Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Practitioner
All photography by Erik Jude
Arriving to an authentic scope of work that cultivates soulful connection.
After a decade in advertising, marketing, sales and promotions in print and online publishing, I found myself at a crossroad, facing the emergence of a spiritual crisis. I questioned everything and everything felt wrong. I had enough of the stressed-out, high-anxiety, fast-paced lifestyle where meaning and purpose felt distant and unattainable. A dark night of the soul set in and it pulled the rug out from under me. I had no choice but to surrender. Never in a million years did I think my visions of becoming a magazine publisher, designer or photographer would be replaced by the healing arts. I had yet to have the embodied experience of letting go, leaning in or being with challenges, obstacles and pain and difficult emotions in a way that was healing.
All the work that I’m called to do, is about creating, holding and making space while getting curious about the obstacles in the way.
That was until I began to personally experience practices like therapeutic massage & bodywork, mindfulness, reiki, chiropractic, meditation, yoga, nutrition, acupuncture and psychotherapy. My quality of life, my quality of aliveness, in myself and in relationships shifted. These practices helped to shine light on my authentic self, my truest nature that had been buried under inter-generational trauma, loneliness and feelings of separation, anxiety and depression, the best efforts of older parents raising a Gen-X kid, the isolation of feeling "othered" in my queerness and all the other layers that get added in the human experience. It was this personal exploration and adventure that has deeply inspired me to support others in their continuous, lifelong process of awakening. As the saying goes, it's the journey not the destination. I know this much for sure: healing is a process and not an event. Now, 15-years later in this life of service, in this new decade (2020) I’m deeply connected to my offerings of Therapeutic Bodywork, Essential Coaching and Integral Spaces that provide me with the privilege to support clients in their own personal work of healing and personal development. In giving, I receive.
More details on my story and trainings here.
FROM THE ORIGINAL “Mission and Purpose” Section that was on the home page:
I want to inspire you to take better care of yourself, the people around you and
the spaces where you reside, in deep and meaningful ways through awareness and practice.
The world needs you and the unique gifts that you have to offer. My goal is to support you in your process of self-realization as part of your growth and development. In our culture of disruption, confusion and separation, it’s more important than ever to turn toward those aspects of our lives that cause us to contract and separate. We’re wired for connection (to ourselves and others!) but often we discover that there are obstacles in the way to deepening our embodied sense of love and belonging. My calling is to collaborate with you in the cultivation of courage and curiosity as you move closer to these obstacles. Together we’ll explore what holds you back, what’s working and what gets in the way. I hold space for you to decide what the hell you’re gonna do about it in the face of uncertainty.
I want you to live the highest expression of yourself, your fullest potential.
Space Consultation
& Styling
Personal or Commercial/Business space consultation. I offer support to get to the heart of what makes your residence feel more like a sanctuary instead of just four walls or your place of business feel warm and welcoming for your guests. It’s like therapy for the most important spaces in your life. How you create and inhabit a space is deeply impactful on your life. Sometimes we don’t even know we could use a little help.
PersonaL Coaching & Spiritual Counseling
Master of Arts, Integral Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Currently offering 10-week, heart-opening, creative and collaborative sessions to encourage deeper inquiry through mindful curiosity and turning inward. Supporting your personal process of discovering what’s working and uncovering what gets in the way.
therapeutic massage
& Bodywork
Founder and healing arts practitioner, with 15 years experience. I created The Blue Buddha, my San Francisco private practice wellness studio — a healing space for body, mind & spirit — to support the health & wellness of the community by gathering a masterful group of healing arts folks. California Certification #2048. Studio located in the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.