My birth name is Claudia Nadxieli Rodriguez Valerio. "Claudia" in Latin means "lame" (THANKS MOM AND DAD!), but my mom redeemed herself by giving me the middle name "Nayelhi" (anglican form) (Nadxieli indigenous), which translates to "I love you" in the indigenous Mexican language of Zapotec. I was indeed poured an abundance of love and nurture in my childhood being taught to love myself, my nuclear family, and my community. Nowadays, I like to go by "itu" which means "sister" in my native Taino tongue. I love the concept of referring to one another as siblings!

As a wee lass my mother introduced me to concepts that are now central to Integrated Medixine such as interconnection and servitude. She encourages me to leave this world behind a better place, and that's what I set to do as my oath to her, my ancestors, the medicine lineages that have welcomed me into their sacred house, creator, and kin. My mother also had a place in influencing my passion for science. She has a medical background and kept medical and self-development books around the house, which I would help myself to from an early age. Growing up I had other medicine women in my family from general physician to pharmacists role modelling the embodiment of holistic health. I lived at the intersection between remedios caseros (traditional medicine) and pharmacology.

From an early age I developed an interest in spirituality. I was exposed to the world of healing arts by my family receiving ancient ancestral treatments dating back thousands of years. I am primary of Caribbean Yorùbá, Taino Amerindian, and Spanish descent, and it was mainly these cultures that framed my spiritual pedagogy. 

I became a good Catholic little girl completing my communion and confirmation, and never missing Sunday mass even if it meant me attending church on my own. Over time I found myself needing a little more octane, so I converted to non-denomination Christianity. During my teens and early adulthood I became a youth group leader holding space for at-risk teens for 5 years. 

I continued volunteer work into my twenties showing up for community in the veteran's care space and palliative space. I spent most of my 20's as a federal government employee then left to complete a behavioral science degree. I then did some post grad work in speech language pathology and redirected my focus to early intervention specialist work supporting blind, visually impaired, and multiply impaired children and babies. I worked in a transdisciplinary team with SLP's, OT's, PT's, ophthalmologists, neurologists and other medical professionals to help children and family outcomes.

I spent 10 years in the non-profit sector doing front and back of house work from development, to early intervention, youth mentorship, family support learning priceless training in human growth & development such as Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), In-home Sensory Impaired Training and Education (INSITE), Vision Impaired Inservice in America (VIISA), Child Safety, Psychological First Aid for Children, and more.

During the course of the last 9 years I have been developing my skills as a healing arts practitioner, learning from amazing teachers and elders I list in the Mihi (acknowledgments) below. I became an Usui Reiki practitioner in 2014 studying under the guidance of Rev. Lorraine Meyer, HDD, CHt. In 2015 I commenced my curanderismo (indigenous medicine) training from elders like the Q'ero and medicine woman MalieokalianI Urrutia; I'm now an Earthkeeper Mesa Carrier. After moving from the U.S. to Australia I began further indigenous training in Māori medicine with my tohunga (teacher) Jackie Harvey. My process for adoption into these linaeges requires invitation, compatibility, and intuitive guidance. Working with peoples' medicine ways is not a fickle process for me, it's a matter I practice with great reverence and discernment. 

Then there's the matter of my own lineages. Unfortunately, due to colonization a lot of oral traditions were lost, but fortunately not erased! In the Caribbean we have over time learned to preserve our indigenous traditions by syncretizing. I come from a long line of energy workers recording back to my great-great grandmother. Now I carry the family mantle and through the support of elders in my lineages continue to grow in my understanding of our cultures.

In the aforementioned time frame, I also received a certificate in chair yoga instruction, meditation teaching & holistic human development. and holistic counseling. Additionally, I leveraged my volunteer work in palliative care and pursued coursework in end-of-life care acquiring a certificate in Death Doula. 

Through my life course I developed an interest for Central/South/East Asian cultures, from anime, to 1970's martial arts films, Bollywood movies, to spiritual systems. I've learned and continue to grow in the understanding of hindu practices, which have enhanced my quality of life. In 2009 I became a Kriya Yoga initiate. I adopted practices like Tai Chi and Qi Qong into my lifestyle and am all the more healthier and happier for it! Taoism has been central to my development. Texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Tao Te Ching have been instrumental in shaping the ways I view existence.

Eventually, I learned of the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a patient. I've had different treatments that have enhanced my quality of life. In 2022 I had the privilege to learn from and work for my shifu Ms. Wendy Cheng a virtuoso at her craft as a physiotherapist and TCM practitioner. She has helped me help many people with her unique TCM Western Remedial Massage modality. Her particular medicine is focused on efficient and accelerated healing. With proper treatment and patient cooperation I've seen injuries improve before projected recovery time!

The most powerful initiation of them all has been motherhood! Dar a luz (giving light, or giving birth) has been the most outer body and mind experience. My son has been the greatest teacher of them all.

It's been in these spaces where I've learned to build my capacity and that of my community!

I hope you've enjoyed reading a small part of my story! I enjoy engaging curious minds, so if you have any comment, questions, or concerns please reach out and connect with me!