About Coppermoon
"Jump into your life with your whole heart, trusting that you will fly.”
-Catharine Larsen
Coppermoon Apothecary was the name of my cousin Katy’s business. Katy lost her battle with cancer last year at the age of 53, sadly Coppermoon Apothecary died with her. Katy was an herbalist who dedicated her life to creating beautiful healing soaps, salves and tinctures made of items grown in her own garden. She had a love of good food, good friends, a good laugh and bringing others together around it all.
​
The inspiration for the name, Coppermoon came from my cousin Katy. May some of her healing live on through this new iteration of what she began.
The Who. The What. The Why.
While I could compose a list of all my degrees, certifications, accomplishments and accolades, it wouldn’t tell you anything about who I am and why I do what I do. I’m Alison, here’s my story….
From a young age I have been interested in movement, strength, music, food and living life with fullness and purpose. I have always felt I was called to do something more, to serve a greater purpose and to speak from a bigger voice.
This work is personal. Inspired by my mother, who for most of my life has battled anxiety and depression resulting in many other health issues. Modern medicine didn’t seem to help her, and before I knew what I was doing, I was looking for another way. I went on to pursue degrees in Physical Education and Sports Medicine and found myself working in a therapeutic role within a clinic and it was there I fell in love with the therapeutic element of healing through movement. Jazzercise hit the scene and my mother became an active participant, it helped her tremendously.
Life led me to yoga and I can honestly say it was love at first breath. When I say this work is personal, this part is about me. From the age of six I had suffered migraine headaches, so severely I would be down for days in stillness and darkness. The very first time I set foot on a yoga mat I was at the beginning of a migraine and by the conclusion of the practice, my headache was gone. The instructor explained to me how the breath and movement combined aided in the proper dilation of the blood vessels to help relieve my headache. I had found magic and began to learn all I could about the practice of yoga. Due to the richness of the teachings and the depth of the practice, I will forever be a student.
When my oldest son was born I learned a great deal more about breathing, or in his case the inability to breathe; he has asthma. What was also discovered was how many foods he was allergic to, some of which made his asthma worse. Enter the study of nutrition. How do I feed a growing boy and make sure he is well nourished when he is allergic to so much? I learned through my studies how food is medicine and while certain foods would definitely make him sick, others would heal him. When my second son was born I learned a whole new set of functional nutrition skills as he had colic. Both boys were raised with food which not supported their physical growth but also allowed them to excel academically and in their chosen interests of music and sports respectively.
The healing power of sound came into my world in an unexpected way, an exceptionally large gong was played at the end of a very physical yoga practice in a style I was new to. I felt emotion bubble up within me and before I knew I was full-on sobbing, as were many others in the class. For months I returned to this class on Sunday afternoons, every time the gone sounded, my emotions spilled. I wanted to understand this phenomenon so I too could help others heal using such beautiful instruments.
Coppermoon has been born out of my passion to heal, the love of the crafts I have so diligently dedicated my life to through education and practice. Coopermoon is where all things align, where we reconnect to the pieces of ourselves we may have lost. This is where we move our bodies, nourish our souls and connect the heart and the head. Most importantly, we connect to one another.
I’m so happy you are here, I cant wait to hear your story.
X0 -Alison
But, for those interested in my credentials, here they are!
​
- B.S. in Physical Education
- M.S. in Sports medicine and Exercise Physiology
- E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, 500+ hours of training)
- American College of Sports Medicine, CPT
- Yoga Therapy Certified
- Yin Yoga Certified
- Yoga Sculpt Certified
- Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach, Institute of Integrative Nutrition
- Certified Sound Bath Practitioner