Dixie Bennett

Dixie Bennett worked in sales and marketing for over sixteen years with a focus in retail and oil and gas before her longstanding fascination with bodywork took over. “My first career choice was massage therapy. I made a few detours, but they were all good. I’ve been learning the lessons I needed in order to be of service in the healing arts.”

Dixie has come full circle to create a grounded practice with a light touch.

My Healing Journey

For many years, even in my teens, I suffered from chronic neck, back and body pain. In my twenties I had so much pain I was told that I had the body of an eighty-year-old woman. I became dependent on weekly chiropractic treatments just to cope and tried many sessions of acupuncture, massage and physiotherapy, but didn’t see any positive long-term results from the treatments. I continued to pursue alternative healing and tried yoga: my body became tighter. I joined a running clinic where I just couldn’t seem to make any progress. Finally I went to a doctor and was put through a battery of tests that all came out normal. It just didn’t make any sense. I felt like my body wasn’t mine I was riddled with pain and was no closer to knowing the cause or how to treat it.

In 2006 my body began shutting down. I didn’t realize the severity of my situation until it was almost too late. Panic and fear finally drove me to go to the hospital. It felt like a boa constrictor had wrapped itself around me, tightening itself with every exhalation so that it became harder and harder to breathe.

I waited in the emergency room, scared and confused. Finally I was given a diagnosis: my left leg had filled with blood clots that were breaking off and collecting in my lungs. The doctors and nurses told me how lucky I was to still be with them. Had I ignored it for much longer it might have been too late. I dragged myself home where I felt extreme exhaustion, despite being bedridden for ten days and off work for a month. I couldn’t even get up to go to the bathroom, let alone take a shower, because it was so draining.

Getting out of bed was just the first step. I had to relearn how to walk. My first success was to get from the bed to the shower. Once I built up my energy I started driving down to Glenmore Reservoir every morning, even if it was just to sit in my car and enjoy the view. Every day, I showed up. My goal was to get out of the car and walk: a little bit further and a little bit further every day.

One of my coping mechanisms was to celebrate all my little wins. Honouring my healing milestones helped me re-affirm that my life was worth fighting for and that I wasn’t ready to lie down and let it pass by. My whole life has been about perseverance and determination and I told myself that this was just one more challenge. I’m so grateful that I had the strength to keep going.

Discovering the Path

I had discussed my health challenges with a colleague who introduced me to craniosacral therapy. After my first treatment I went home and slept like I had never slept before and woke feeling truly rested for the first time in years. I could feel my body continue to shift more into alignment, like pieces to a puzzle. My muscles loosened for up to ten days after a session. The dark sludge of pain that had been my companion drained away as I was pulled from the drowning waters of pain and suffering.

A few years later I was introduced to Bowen therapy through an open house at Mount Royal University. When I entered the room there were only a few of us in attendance. The instructor gave a short overview and before asking us if we wanted a sample. I had been having a pain on the inside of my leg that wasn’t going away, no matter what I tried so I volunteered. The instructor performed a couple of gentle Bowen moves and the pain left almost instantly. The remarkable thing is that it never returned. I was immediately hooked and researched Bowen therapy. I felt more gratitude when I found a local practitioner and began regular treatments.

With Bowen therapy I noticed I could run further in the exercise class I’d joined. I generally felt more centered and balanced, lighter and more energetic. As pain continued to melt away I realized that the improvements were also emotional. CranioSacral and Bowen therapies were incredibly effective treatments for my long-standing health issues. I fell in love with the idea that less is more.

Healing From the Inside Out

I’ve learned that when we don’t deal with our emotions we just keep on stuffing them down until we are so full it starts to manifest into physical illness or pain. I see many women and men who are suffering in silence. It’s time to break that silence.

I was always seeking for something external to give me that inner peace, that inner self-love that is our birthright. It was time to stop and take a look within. That’s where I found my peace and willingness to forgive myself as well as others. Since then I’ve had a few “ah ha” moments in forgiveness that shifted me spiritually, emotionally and physically. It rocked my foundation. I’ve moved into an awakened state out of the darkness and into the light and am now ready to fully live my life.

My new life revolves around sharing my gifts as a healer. The more I find out about the body, the more I want to learn. Our bodies are amazingly resilient! These therapies can be life changing if you’re open to the work, willingly look at the emotions and ask what they are really telling you, and are ready to try treatments that work with your body, rather than against it.

I’ve made it my purpose to help others shift away from the things that no longer serve them. Results come by diving into the darkness with a flashlight to see what is lurking in there, acknowledging it and setting it free. I love seeing my clients’ progress and helping to provide the emotional space to say good-bye to patterns that no longer serve. Each client is different, each session is different.

My Practice

I am passionate about working with individuals, who are struggling with chronic pain. I help them release their chains of pain, find relief and wake-up to the amazing life that is waiting for them. I believe that by working collectively with other supporting practitioners we can come together for the greater good of humanity. Are you ready to let go of your pain and make a shift in your life?

Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself ~ George Bernard Shaw

Awards

• 2016 Womanition SuPEARLative Award – Health & Wellness
  • for delivering outstanding results

Training and Membership

• Soul Coaching®️️ Certified Practitioner – Denise Linn
• Coach Sacred Money Archetypes®️️ Certified Coach – Kendall Summerhawk
• Angel Card Mastery Level 1 – Kyle Gray
• Sound Therapy Practitioner Level 1 – Sound Wellness
• Ho’oponopono Practitioner – Joe Vitale
• Unwinding Meridians Level 1 – Upledger Institute
• Certified Advanced Bowen Therapist (CBT) – Mount Royal University and Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia
• Mind/Body Bowen
• Bowen Therapy Special Procedures 1 Certification
• Bowen Therapy Special Procedures 2
• CranioSacral Therapy Level 1 & 2 – Upledger Institute
• Somato Emotional Release Therapy Level 1 & 2 – Upledger Institute
• Usui Reiki Mastery & Teaching Certification– Enlightened Hands
• Registered member of the Bowen Therapy Academy of Australia
• Registered member of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC)
• Registered member of the International Association of Healthcare Practitioners (IAHP)
• Certified First Aide – Red Cross