To My Daughter

To My Daughter

You may not remember this chapter,

but your body will,

as our ancestors’ bodies remembered.

Water never forgets its form—

and our veins carry their pulse.

To Our Teachers,

May you find strength

shouldering this shared call,

honored by all who know

what it is to stare terror in the face

and reply, Not today.

To the Parents,

We, with no perfect answers,

but hearts that break for our children—

we cry openly,

then rise each dawn,

meet the day with dignity,

and stand tall.

To the Children,

Born into storms and fire,

you come knowing more than we did.

May you keep that spark—

a light that finds courage in kindness,

strength in softness,

and remembers the song we are still learning to sing.

To My Heart,

You feel split in two,

a chasm deep and endless.

Yet love fills that depth,

bit by bit,

as community finds its way to the bottom,

until the emptiness shrinks,

and love overflows—

onto our children,

our teachers,

our families,

our communities.

To the Ancestors,

Who walked so we could stand,

who dreamed so we could strive.

We call on you now—

that your love may flow through us,

carving new rivers

of strength, of healing,

of hope for those who come after.

And then we find—

it beats once more,

in time with our grandmothers’ song.

#Love #Beautiful #Family #Strength #TogetherWeRise #MindfulLiving #Healing #MentalHealthAwareness #CollectiveHealing #WellnessCommunity#AncestralWisdom#GenerationsOfStrength #CommunityLove #SupportLocal #SocialJustice #ForOurFuture #PoetryCommunity #WritingToHeal #MicroPoetry #SpilledInk #WordsWithSoul

Nurtured Roots Wellness Collective

Nurtured Roots Wellness Collective

Welcome to Nurtured Roots Wellness Collective!

In a busy world, it’s easy to lose touch with yourself. That’s why Nurtured Roots is here—to offer support as you reconnect with your mind, body, and spirit. We’re more than a wellness community—we are a collective of practitioners focused on holistic coaching and healing arts practices designed to help you grow in meaningful ways.

Our Approach

At Nurtured Roots, we believe true well-being is about more than just quick fixes. It’s about nurturing every part of who you are. Our name reflects this: “Roots” represent the foundation of your well-being, while “Nurtured” emphasizes the care and empowerment we provide. With a blend of ancient wisdom and modern practices, we focus on guiding you toward lasting growth and resilience.

Online Holistic Coaching

Our coaching sessions are tailored to your unique journey, offering personalized guidance that considers all aspects of your life—mental, emotional, and spiritual. Our online coaching is accessible wherever you are, supporting you through life’s challenges and helping you discover your potential.

Wellness Practices

In addition to coaching, we offer a range of wellness practices that align with your path to self-discovery. From energizing yoga classes to mindfulness workshops, each experience fosters inner strength and balance, both in person and virtually.

Community and Connection

We believe that growth is more powerful when shared. Our community brings together people who are on similar journeys, creating a supportive environment where you can connect, learn, and grow alongside others. Whether through group classes, workshops, or simply engaging with others, you will find a sense of belonging here.

Join Us

Nurtured Roots Wellness Collective is your space to explore, heal, and thrive. Whether you’re seeking online coaching, wellness practices, or a supportive community, we’re here to help you nurture your roots and grow into your fullest self.

Welcome to Nurtured Roots—where your well-being journey begins. 🌱

Follow here to be a part of the story: https://www.instagram.com/nurturedrootswellness

My Yoga Philosophy

Yoga is a profound practice that originates from the Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning "yoke" or "union," and has ancient roots in South Asia. It has transcended cultural boundaries and is now widely embraced in various cultures worldwide. However, it is crucial to recognize and address the issue of cultural appropriation, especially in Western yoga practices.

As a yoga teacher in Texas, I humbly acknowledge the paradox of being a white practitioner in a diverse cultural landscape. My initial exposure to yoga came during my teenage years through meditations led by my Buddhist high school coach in a small Texan town. Since then, I have been fortunate to learn from a lineage of dedicated yoga practitioners and honor their ancestral and historical contributions. Some of my teachers include Shawn Kent, Kielly Wolters, Shanti Kelley, Iva Drtina-Hall, Jenn Wooten, Collette Ouseley-Moynan, and Deb Flashenberg.

For me, yoga is not confined to an hour on the mat; it is a sacred philosophy and a way of life that deserves the utmost respect and understanding. I am committed to being a lifelong learner, continuously deepening my practice, and cultivating cultural responsiveness and respect. Embracing a growth mindset, I aim to evolve my comprehension of yoga's history and origins.

My coaching practice is dedicated to nurturing givers and healers, including creatives, parents, and educators. I commit to being inclusive and culturally responsive to individuals who have experienced trauma, people with disabilities (like myself as an adult-diagnosed ADHDer), individuals of color (even as a white practitioner), and members of the LGBTQIA+ community (I identify as a late bloomer bi-gal). My goal is to offer ancient wisdom and healing to my local community, enabling them to radiate their light and inspire positive change.

In summary, my yoga philosophy revolves around genuine respect for yoga's origins, an ongoing commitment to learning and cultural responsiveness, and a sincere desire to bring healing and ancient wisdom to all members of my diverse local community. Together, we can foster an inclusive and transformative space where everyone can find solace and growth through the practice of yoga.

-H. E. Wong

Gremlins

Photo taken in Akureyri, Iceland by Heather Wong in June 2018.

For context: this is a self-reflection that came out of my fieldwork after my first coaching session with Buck Dodson. To my first coach/teacher/cheerleader/queer ally, Buck: thank you for reflecting on my talents, holding space, and guiding me through life-changing somatic practices that changed the trajectory of my career as a healer and coach.

Gremlins

I am a big believer in seeking out support when the answer or the need is not readily available.  Of course, this hasn’t always been the case with me.  It takes courage to ask for help, especially when it comes at the price of being vulnerable and giving up control.

For context, I can be a CONTROL FREAK who likes to micromanage every detail of my life (including those around me if I am not checking myself).  Also, I tend to have some persuasive thoughts that I call thought gremlins. Gremlins, to me, are the internal voices that pop up. Imagine a heart-shaped red light saying, “Stop! Risk ahead! I am just looking out for you, boo.” They tend to function as protectors and have a fear-based message. For example, my thought gremlins can talk me out of sharing my struggle and being open.

Enter my first thought gremlin. This one is small, young, and quite paranoid: “You sure you want to reach out to them? It seems like a bad idea…” or sometimes my objective, conservative, and detached lawyer-like thought gremlin pops up and questions my worth: “You are spending a lot of money on self-care this month.” For context, these specific thought gremlins are saturated in whiteness and have masculine energies, but I also have feminine ones of all races and ages that pop up. I also have gremlin-killers, usually Black and beautiful with a feminine demeanor and powerful energy.  

But most of the time, my loudest thought gremlin is hardcore judgmental like that bitch, Karen. This one likes to scare the shit out of me using threats and manipulative lies - as most bullies do - and like most bullies, this gremlin has the most obnoxious voice of them all: “No one likes you, you know? They just tolerate your presence. Why would they want to be friends with you? They don’t care about you or your stupid ideas.”  (How juvenile is Karen’s voice and argument, by the way.)

Enter the new and improved Heather 2.0.  She doesn’t ask for permission to share her mind or needs, and she is ready to kick some ass! I wish…

Remember, my gremlin-killer is Black and beautiful with a femme demeanor and powerful energy - think Nicki Minaj. This voice comes in like a hurricane and is a badass bitch with no time for haters.  The only thing is she has a LOUD voice, is independent to a fault, and is somewhat elusive and mysterious. Super hot, right? (I’ll write another blog post on her later.)   It’s that gremlin-killer persona that I want to embody and tune in to but lack the trust needed to accept it openly and trust its voice. (Notice my lawyer-like detached gremlin jumped in there. It is good at detaching and objectifying my ideas).