Arianna Metrick

Arianna Metrick

Birthed in Grace

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a place in Brooklyn, NY, which at the time was still very isolated from much of the hustle and bustle. I had few neighbors, and essentially an entire park as my backyard right along the flowing East River.
 
The river and this park were my solace, my sanctuary, a little dome of wonder. I was always so amazed with all the beautiful flowers that seemed to be able to grow and bloom through the cracks in the hard pavement, or climb the metal fences…they seemed so perfect as and where they were.
 
There was an old wooden stage built in the park, and my brother and I would spend hours upon hours dancing, and singing, and creating performances for the invisible and visible alike. Walking barefoot by the little beach there on the river and tossing stones in whilst gazing at the big city landscape…the juxtaposition never fazed me. It just was. 

I was utterly enchanted.

There is such wholeness in nature.

My journey with the plants became more pronounced when I met a man, a New England Herbalist who became my first guide and teacher. Coming from the chaotic, graffiti ridden streets … to stepping wide eyed into the little apothecary outside of the home he built in the quiet stillness of the Connecticut woods.
Sweet scents of freshly macerated leaves, flowers and barks basking in the glorious sunlight streaming through the glass window panes. The oils, or alcohols the plants rested in were transformed into the most exqusitel shades of translucent amber and teal jade. Like the exalted gems they are, sitting high on their throne shelves waiting patiently to provide of their essence and medicine. They are so generous. 
Moving to the desert in New Mexico for college as a continuation of my dance studies and practice after a brief visit to the land was natural.
 
The first night I was visiting, walking back to the dorm I was staying in as the sun was setting … I paused to sit and watch. Never had I seen a more magnificent sight. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks in silent awe as the sky was set ablaze. The colors were electric and moved my blood,  the majestic mountains behind me glowing. 
My journey with the plants became more pronounced when I met a man, a New England Herbalist who became my first guide and teacher. Coming from the chaotic, graffiti ridden streets … to stepping wide eyed into the little apothecary outside of the home he built in the quiet stillness of the Connecticut woods.
Moving to the desert in New Mexico for college as a continuation of my dance studies and practice after a brief visit to the land was natural.
 
The first night I was visiting, walking back to the dorm I was staying in as the sun was setting … I paused to sit and watch. Never had I seen a more magnificent sight. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks in silent awe as the sky was set ablaze. The colors were electric and moved my blood,  the majestic mountains behind me glowing. 
Sweet scents of freshly macerated leaves, flowers and barks basking in the glorious sunlight streaming through the glass window panes. The oils, or alcohols the plants rested in were transformed into the most exqusitel shades of translucent amber and teal jade. Like the exalted gems they are, sitting high on their throne shelves waiting patiently to provide of their essence and medicine. They are so generous. 

There is such wholeness in nature.

Time went on, and harder times presented. I moved back to NY and had a long time span of over 10 years with consistent immediate family deaths, marriage, children, divorce, and health issues.
As my children grew and got older, I naturally began to venture out more, and  worked as a GYROTONIC and GYROKINESIS teacher. GYROTONIC is a movement art form which is inspired by dance, yoga, swimming, and tai chi, done on machines which have weights and pulleys — creating strength and length simultaneously whilst performing spiraling, circular, and 3 dimensional  movements.
The system is based around the spine, generating spinal and nervous system health in order to bring the entire organism closer towards homeostasis. GYROKINESIS is in essence the same as GYROTONIC, except it is done without machines.

It was an organic progression for me as a dancer, to work within the movement realm and with bodies.

…  a spontaneous and mysterious process, quite effortless and perfect. 

The sensitivity I found to be needed with bodywork is a similar kind of sensitivity and presence needed with plant work. Both require a deeper listening and awareness of movement and flow. I have over 20 years of experience in this field helping people of all walks of life move towards deeper embodiment, connection to their seed center, healing or stabilizing after injury, more peaceful days and nights. 

Once a week I worked for a flower farm at a Farmers Market. Feeling very elated to be able to be in the open space amongst all the blooms, my love affair with the flowers really beginning to unfold at this time. Their sheer beauty was captivating, mysterious and alluring. Being under that tent was like existing in a magical faerie realm. All who passed through to admire or purchase were enchanted, with light hearts and gentle smiles, their words always gushing and grateful.

The deeper in love I fell with them, the more I desired to find ways to sustain and capture their beauty and essence. Beginning to photograph them at the farmers market, was the birth place of some of the work I do now creating flower portraiture. It is a very special moment when creating a flower portrait … 

The sensitivity I found to be needed with bodywork is a similar kind of sensitivity and presence needed with plant work. Both require a deeper listening and awareness of movement and flow. I have over 20 years of experience in this field helping people of all walks of life move towards deeper embodiment, connection to their seed center, healing or stabilizing after injury, more peaceful days and nights. 

Once a week I worked for a flower farm at a Farmers Market. Feeling very elated to be able to be in the open space amongst all the blooms, my love affair with the flowers really beginning to unfold at this time. Their sheer beauty was captivating, mysterious and alluring. Being under that tent was like existing in a magical faerie realm. All who passed through to admire or purchase were enchanted, with light hearts and gentle smiles, their words always gushing and grateful.

The deeper in love I fell with them, the more I desired to find ways to sustain and capture their beauty and essence. Beginning to photograph them at the farmers market, was the birth place of some of the work I do now creating flower portraiture. It is a very special moment when creating a flower portrait … 

…  a spontaneous and mysterious process, quite effortless and perfect. 

I have been interested in many different healing modalities when it comes to plants, bodies, and energy work. TCM, Massage Therapy, Cranio Sacral, Chiropractic, Western Herbalism, Flower Essences, Yoga, Tai Chi, and Dance have all been a part of my journey at one point or another in life as a personal practice. They have all left imprints and impressions.

Gemmotherapy was introduced to me by a friend who is a practitioner, and I began to work with her on some residual issues I was having from when I had covid. I experienced resolution over just a few months. Their subtle yet powerful effects on bodies and psyches really speak to my love of contrast. That contrast which has the potential to generate deep shifts and transformation.

I have completed the program for Gemmotherapy studies with Lauren Hubele (the leading Gemmotherapy expert in the US), and am furthering my education through her more advanced ongoing classes, as well as engaging and learning with and from other practitioners in the field. Cultivating intimate relationships with the Gemmo extracts has been my focus through study, journey with drumming, and working with clients. I desire to be a vehicle to offer others their transformative magic, and medicine.

I will forever be a student. 

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