My Story: An Invitation to the Mess

Here I am – Karen Joy.

I am a passionate, playful, grumpy, creative, messy, organized, expressive woman, and mother of a grown son. My life is rich with an abundance of dear friends and family, and with experiences – at times heart-opening, terrifying, painful, exuberant, pretty, ugly, seemingly too difficult to bear, and more perfect than appears possible.

My life has also been a long and joyful journey of learning. I’m endlessly drawn to understanding human nature, to finding our deepest places with intense honesty, to knowing how to sit in those places with another with a soft heart, and to expressing and inviting expression of the beautiful rich depths we all carry. This curiosity leads me to play with movement and color, sound and words, as ways to access the fullness of life, move through stuck places, and most honestly express ourselves.

My path has also led me to deepen my study of the ancient wisdoms of Yoga, Qigong, and Buddhism, as well as plants and their medicines, and to continue to grow my knowledge of reality-expanding topics from mathematics and linguistics to genealogy and history. It is a lifelong study; though I joyfully teach, I am also perpetually a student.

Other Ways to Work With Me

This lifelong passion for practical support, clear communication, and deep research also finds expression in other professional avenues. For those with different needs, I also offer:

  • Professional & Financial Support: Through KJ Supports, I provide tax preparation, bookkeeping, and English language support for business professionals.
  • Genealogical Research: At KJ Family Trees, I help individuals and families build their family tree, research their ancestors, and solve family mysteries.
  • Personalized Learning Guidance: At KJ Learners, I provide tailored support and accountability coaching for adults wishing to deepen their knowledge in a variety of fascinating subjects.

My Vision for Embracing Life Studio

At its surface, Embracing Life Studio is an online space where I can invite and guide you – in private sessions, group gatherings, and workshops – through deep listening, expressive arts, creative writing, and somatic practices. Our journey is to go deeper (EXPLORE), find your unique voice to share (EXPRESS), and ultimately live more truly in the essence of who you are (EMBODY).

More deeply, this space is a living expression of me, of my deep desire to witness and to guide. It is a creation, the gem, found in my own mess—the perfect embodiment of it.

The Future of the Studio

I see a glorious tapestry growing from this foundation, begun first with my Private Sessions offered. The Studio will soon host a variety of online gatherings and guided workshops, both as single events and continuing series. The space will also grow to include a rich library of resources—some as gifts, some for purchase—including guided audio and video practices, my own artsy creations, and written reference materials. The Studio Journal will also come alive as a place for me to share with you thoughts, practices, ideas, and inspirations.

My Promise to You

I intend to maintain this space as an expression of my desire to give, reflecting the truth that life is at once both orderly and messy. I intend to remain true and honest in my presence here, to teach not only as the guide, but also as the practitioner.