
About Me
Hi! I'm Kristina (she/her), the founder and owner of Compassion Evolution, LLC.
My Story
I have treated others better than myself.
Since I was a young child I have always been concerned with the well-being of others; people, animals, plants - all living creatures. It upset me to witness any suffering. I dutifully took punishments for not eating the meat on my plate.
Unfortunately, as a result of being sensitive, experiencing abuse and intimate partner violence, and being exposed to certain cultural messages throughout my childhood, I internalized the (incorrect) beliefs that love hurts and I am not enough.
Being dissatisfied with the existence that resulted, my adulthood has been a journey of healing and adopting a new set of beliefs for myself. It has been an uncharted and imperfect evolution.
I long for a more compassionate world where our planet and all of its inhabitants are safe and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
One thing that has become apparent to me (again and again!) is that compassion starts at home. So, although I have always wanted to save the world from suffering, I know I will not get very far without first practicing compassion for myself.
Of the MANY conventional and unconventional healing modalities and self-compassion practices I have tried, I found a few that have consistently worked for me:
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living a vegan lifestyle
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spending time in Nature
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container gardening
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decluttering and organizing my home
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creating (anything from social service programs to art)
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listening to music
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essential oils
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reflecting on quotes
Wanting to share what I had learned with others, I established a small alternative healing business in 2011 named Shanti Healing, LLC. Ten years later, after continued learning and discovery, I refocused and renamed my business Compassion Evolution, LLC.
My Privilege
I want to take space to acknowledge the ways in which I have experienced privilege:
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I am considered "White"
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I am cisgender
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I am heterosexual
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I am able-bodied
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I am an American citizen
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I am English-speaking
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My socio-economic status is middle-class
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I had access to education and earned a graduate degree
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I have access to food, housing, and healthcare
Ways in which I have experienced discrimination are:
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I am female
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My body is larger than American society accepts
To see how privileged you might be (or not be), take this quiz.
To learn about your implicit biases, take this test.
I believe Black Lives Matter and support racial justice and algorithmic justice.
I am an LGBTQIA+ ally.
I acknowledge the land I live on was stolen from the Paugussett, Pequonnock, and Wappinger peoples. To find out about the lands you are on, click here or message your city and state to @LandAcknowledgement in Facebook.
My Professional Certifications, Trainings, & Experience
I have received certification or training in the following, which have all influenced my own compassion evolution:
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RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) (Lotus Gardens Yoga School)
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Yoga for All Teacher
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Accessible Yoga Training / member of the Accessible Yoga Association
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the Yale Stress Center
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Plant-based nutrition (15 years lived experience)
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Aromatherapy
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Energy healing (Reiki Master, Shamanic healing)
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1st degree black belt in Tang Soo Do
I have been working in the human services field for more than 25 years, including over a decade of nonprofit management experience. I earned a BA in Psychology from Fairfield University and a Masters in Social Work in Policy Practice from University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Since 2009 I have served as the director of a home visiting child-parent psychotherapy program for vulnerable young children and their families.
Some of My Teachers & Mentors
I am grateful to have received support, training, guidance, and mentorship from the following individuals:
Nikki Stollman, Reiki Practitioner (for pets and people)
Geneviève Kenneally, Feminine & Intuitive Healing Arts
Lara Azzarito Ward, LMT, E-RYT 500, BBA, BA, Founder & Director of Lotus Gardens Yoga School
Laurie Trupp, Master Kripalu Yoga Teacher
Anne Novak, Kundalini Yoga Teacher
Amber Karnes, E-RYT 200, Founder of Body Positive Yoga, co-creator of Yoga for All Teacher Training and Accessible Yoga Training School
Elizabeth Hall Coaching, Intuitive Eating & Body Image Coaching
Jivana Heyman, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, Founder of Accessible Yoga Training School
Kelley Nicole Palmer, 200 HR ERYT, Creator, Writer, Advocate
