Danza Xochitl Patli

10/11/2021

Elizabeth Reese, Stanford Law School’s first Native American professor, discusses the intentional marginalization of tribal legal structures.

12/18/2017

I continue working alongside other members of the International Collaboration of Indigenous Healers, Sanadores, Curanderos y Shamans. Viri and Juan Carlos continue to develop OME Retreat Center in the beautiful hills of Huitziliac, Morelos, Mexico. We continue to carry the flag that was given us by two incredible men, the late Alejandro Chao Barona and Dr. Arturo Lizardi Ornelas, whose work continues to flourish at Cedehc in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The objective is to connect with other individuals that are committed to social justice, global health, and planet sustainability. You can google OME and Cedehc or find them on facebook to learn more about the unique learning experiences they offer.
Recently I have been more involved with legislation, regarding healthcare, the national opioid crisis and affordable housing. I Signed up as President of the Colorado Association of Natural Medicine working with my friend and colleague, Dr. Lisa Martinez Conover. I will initiate two beautiful women who have been Curandera Apprentices for several years, and continue to support the re-emergence of sacred sweat lodge, Temazcal . The kalpulli Grupo Xochitl walks together doing projects when possible. I continue to travel to Mexico with groups interested in traditional and indigenous medicine. My brother, Paul and I are developing a “Special Event-Retreat Center” in Corrales New Mexico. Some of you have been there, let me know if your interested in setting up a retreat or if you need a home for a family vacation. I have included photos of OME in Mexico and Corrales in New Mexico. Paul also has a great condo available for those trips down to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

12/18/2017

Sharing Community Clinic Experiences
An elderly woman in her late seventies came into the clinic with her daughter, who would come for a traditional modality to address anxiety. Her elderly mother was from Mexico and had seen a lot of practitioners that utilize traditional folk medicine.
She wanted to check me out… see what I was made of. She did not have anything specific going on, but the usual things that might be a bother as part of the aging process. I provided Indigenous Reiki, with a bit more healing sound vibration, and included addressing the 13 puertas/doors or joints to support her immune system. Afterward I offered her a cup of tea, I could see that she was pleased with the experience. She started to talk and share a story, I felt a tickle of chills and held back my tears of emotions because in that moment she reminded me of my Nana, Great, Grandmother Sofia Chavez.
She shared that as a young woman she had lived in the countryside in Mexico and that her husband worked within walking distance across a river. She did not like to get up early to make his lunch, so she would walk and cross the river daily, taking him his lunch in the afternoon. One day, she was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, she journeyed off to deliver his lunch. After she delivered his lunch it started to rain, at first slow and soft and then it started to downpour. By this time, she was in the field close to the river and she started to have cramping and pain and knew the baby was on its way. She looked around trying to find a place, so she could get out of the rain. There was a hillside with a small alcove, she went in and stooped in the small recessed section of the hill. The smell of earth surrounding her and the gentle sprinkles of mud dropping on her head and shoulders. She knew the baby was coming and she needed to prepare. She got a sharp-edged rock and braced herself. In that alcove out in nature, she gave birth to her child and cut the umbilical cord with that sharp-edged rock. Just imagine what this must have been like…
By this time the rain had subsided, and she needed to get herself and her newborn home. She took off her apron and wrapped him in it. She went across the river, but now it was running hard and heavy. She lifted her baby above her head and pushed her way across the river. When she arrived home, she made a bath to clean the baby. She had a jar of rubbing alcohol with romero. Romero is Rosemary herbal plant known for its ability to remove cold and wind among other things, the plants grow quite large in Mexico. Growing up she had been educated in herbals and knew how much of the rubbing alcohol could be used on the baby. After making him warm and comfortable, it was time to take care of herself. She crossed a river of cold, muddy water at a time when her body would be very vulnerable. She sponged herself clean and then used the romero rubbing alcohol on herself and wrapped her limbs, joints, neck what she described reminded me of a “mummy bandaging”. She covered her head with a warm scarf, made a fire in the stove and put herself to bed. The work I had done for her joints/puertas was a reminder of her experience.
My Great Grandparents, Tata and Nana Chavez shared amazing stories. I could have sat and enjoyed this Elder’s company all day. In my work, I get the opportunity to hear such stories from grandparents, parents, veterans, those that are addicted to drugs, stories of people overcoming, sharing compassion and more, demonstrating the strength of the Human Spirit, this is true Spirituality.

08/30/2016

12/07/2015

I am happy and excited to announce the release of my new eBook. The reader is encouraged to connect with ancestral wisdom, the world of nature and divinity. Recognizing humanity is moving into a new dimension of understanding Curanderismo Folk Medicine, consciousness, time and possibilities. The intention is to support Community Health Education, Community Clinics and International Collaborations working toward Global Health. Thank you for your support - remember positive book reviews keep the energy moving!

The Dance of the Flower Medicine eBook is now available on Amazon and Smash Word. Author- Sofia Chavez Hilton, Forward by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D. Cover by Ivan Tapia.

http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Flower-Medicine-Chavez-Hilton-ebook/dp/B018829J44/ref=sr_1_1?

07/19/2015

Enjoy the new ebooklet by Sofia Chavez-Hilton ! Look for the curanderismo app in the Apple App store!!

Estara Health and Wellness and Metzli Integrative Therapies, Professionals and Educators™ are working in collaboration with Traditional Healers toward creating public awareness in holistic integrative therapies using an ancestral perspective toward the re-emergence of Ancestral Teachings t...

06/26/2015

Mayan and Aztec Nawales and the Web of Life
Elder, Miguel Angel Chiquin Yat of Guatemala and Juan Carlos Solano Alcocer “Xiuhacatl” of Mexico
In 2007 our Colorado group began working with Curanderos and in 2009 traveled to Guatemala. These were spiritual journeys to experience and learn about the culture, spiritual practices, healing modalities and ritual medicine. In 2013 a Temezcal was built in Colorado and members of the Colorado Kalpulli continued study of the cosmic forces with Juan Carlos and in April of 2015, members of the Kalpulli, had the opportunity for intensive study with Teacher Miguel Angel.
These Maestros-Teachers have supported the Estara and Metzli Holistic Integrative Practitioner’s Destiny Walk as well as their purposeful career of healing communities utilizing Archetypal Psychology through Platica.
The focus was on the Nawales or Mayan and Aztec Cosmic Forces, it is said that the cosmic forces are the blueprint of how everything works. In Indigenous Healing Models archetypes are patterns of creation that allow us to work with the different dimensions of time and space. They are the energy patterns behind the manifested world and includes light, sound and vibration. There are twenty Nawales and 13 energies that are connected to portals upon portals of possibilities.
Carl Jung described archetypes as models of people, behaviors, or personalities and are the images, patterns, and symbols that rise out of the collective unconscious and appear in dreams, mythology, and fairy tales.
Personal and Group Ceremonies are scheduled regularly to help support the balancing and equilibrium of the Cosmic Forces. These are daily disciplines that remind us that we need to be more connected to Mother Earth than the shelves of food at a grocery store…. Food comes from our Mother Earth…. Not the grocery store. Let us support community gardens, personal gardens, planting trees and flowers. Let us spend a little more time outside at night, looking up at the stars and remind ourselves we are part of the light, sound and vibration- Our planet is alive and she needs our care.

06/14/2015

Together We Can Make A Difference!

06/14/2015

SPOT LIGHT! Estara Health and Wellness and Metzli Integrative Therapies is fortunate to have wonderful volunteers and internship students that have walked with us supporting community since 2008. Over the years we have been involved in health fairs, health classes, community gardens and more. Our treatments have been offered at Estara/Metzli clinics, Denver Health Clinic and in community settings. We combine Indigenous practices which include Curanderismo with Holistic Integrative Therapies and Ancestral Models of Auricular Medicine to create a unique 30 minute healing experience. We have had great success with a variety of physical conditions, Stroke patients, hearing loss, addictions, pain management, treating depression, Bi-polar conditions, anxiety, allergies and more.
A special Thanks to:
Lisa Martinez Conover, Registered Psychotherapist and Holistic Health Practitioner. Trained in Curanderismo Healing Modalities. Co-Founder of Metzli Integrative Therapies, Professionals and Educators. She has recently started supporting a new circle as Temezcalera, offering Sacred Sweat Lodge.
Samuel Nez, LMT- Licensed Massage Therapist and Holistic Health Practitioner. Trained in Curanderismo Healing Modalities. He continues to hold Sacred Chanupa Ceremonies and is supporting as Fire Keeper in Sacred Sweat Lodge. Board Member of Metzli Integrative Therapies, Professionals and Educators.
Nedra Freeman, Holistic Health Practitioner. Trained in Indigenous Healing Modalities. Nedra has recently developed an Indigenous Health program in her church. She is creating awareness of African American Indigenous Healing treatments to support Black Communities and working in collaboration with Estara and Metzli’s global health intentions.
Clara Enriquez, de Contreras, BSW, Case Manager and Outreach for Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, has collaborated with Estara for many years which includes, community Gardens, health fairs, outreach and so much more. She is a Holistic Health Practitioner, trained in Indigenous Healing Modalities, which includes Practices of Curanderismo into her work at Estara/Metzli Clinic.
Yolanda Valenzuela, Holistic Health Practitioner with an in-depth knowledge of ancestral teachings. Trained in Curanderismo Healing Modalities. She specializes in Limpias with flowers and roses often used in conjunction with Sacred Baths and Sweepings- Barridas that balance, harmonize and provide deep healing. Yolanda offers therapy in the form of “Platicas” which are heart to heart conversations which focus and guide individuals along their journey of self-discovery and shadow work.
Soleil Jacuqez, BS in Integrative Therapies and Holistic Health Practitioner is new to our group. She does an amazing job as Community Nutrition Specialist and Educator. Trained in Indigenous Healing Modalities

Special Mention to: Jennifer Carr- BS in Integrative Therapies, Cathy Phelps- Executive Director for Denver Center for Crime Victims is our Zumba Instructor and she rocks the room with chair Zumba, Loren Litchi- Artist offering education on Emotions and Art. Maria Guerrero- Community Resident and Interpreter. A Very Special Mention to all previous students, internship students and volunteers, where ever you are – Blessings! Yea.. Nancy : )

Sofia Chavez-Hilton, Owner of Estara Health and Wellness, Co-Founder of Metzli Integrative Therapies, Professionals and Educators. Trained in Curanderismo Healing Modalities, BS in Integrative Therapies, AOS in Occupational Therapy, Advanced Auricular Medicine, Licensed Massage Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist in Colorado and Clinically Certified Aroma-therapist. For a more in-depth Bio and information, please visit: estaraprograms.com

06/10/2015

Dance of the Flower Medicine 2009-20016

Dance of Flower Medicine, January 13-23 2016. For our Seventh “Dance of the Flower Medicine”, we will honor our International Community of Traditional Healers. Groupo Xochitl will support the re-emergence of ancestral teachings and global health by participating in a trip designed for practitioners of African/Indigenous spiritual practices and individuals interested in herbal and ritual medicine. Colorado Kalpulli members will travel to Salvador and Cachoeira, in the northeast state of Bahia, Brazil! We will experience Afro-Brazilian religion, culture and history. This trip features cultural exchanges with healers, musicians, artists, educators and community activists. Rachel E. Harding, PhD Guide and Leader, is a historian, published author, a poet, a Candomblé initiate and a member of the Terreiro do Cobre ritual community in Salvador, Bahia. She is assistant professor of Indigenous Spiritual Traditions in the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Colorado Denver. We are grateful and look forward to a profound experience!

06/09/2015

It is time for my quarterly update… Some of you check in on Sofia or Estara Health or Metzli Integrative Therapies and also the Dance of The Flower Medicine pages. They are all overlapping right now. Estara Clinic, Community Health Classes, Community Gardens, Metzli Integrative Therapies’ nonprofit endeavors which include information on upcoming events, the release of a Phone App., published releases to support the International Collaboration of Curanderos, Shamans and Traditional Healers. Our international intention to focus on Indigenous spiritual and healing practices will include our annual “Dance of the Flower Medicine” event traveling to Salvador and Cachoeira, in the northeast state of Bahia, Brazil! Of course we also have to share the “Spot Light” on our wonderful apprentices, volunteers and internship students that help make things happen! There is a lot going on so I invite you to keep an eye on our Facebook sites over the next couple of weeks and feel welcome to stop by the Wellness Center to say hi or to learn more about our summer and fall plans.

01/12/2015

Come and Join us for $20 Tuesdays and the Estara and Metzli Clinic. We are looking forward to seeing you and walking with you on your journey to wellness!