Millie Tresierra is a long time birth and postpartum doula, biodynamic craniosacral therapist in training and generally has a full toolkit when it comes to healing and uterus health. Her heart takes up a large space in her body and her actions are driven by a passion for social justice. We are welcoming Millie onto the TLC team officially this autumn, and we wanted to give you a chance to meet her first.
What were one or two key moments that led you on the path of a healer?
I don’t see myself as a healer, but rather a witness. I think that as a society we have become isolated and there is a tendency towards individualism and competition. This leaves us feeling lonely and often, unseen. Working in Drama Therapy with underprivileged populations as a young adult in Costa Rica and Jamaica, and here in Montreal in later years provided me with a special lens into the human psyche. Once I witnessed the transformation power of being seen and held in a space that is completely open, I knew that my path was set. Everything else that has fallen into place in my life as a doula, mental health advocate, homeopath and now craniosacral practitioner, is simply a tool in greater service to the big picture.
Talk about the practices and modalities you use. (see above)
Why are you taking a turn in your practice now towards biodynamic craniosacral therapy?
In my four-year homeopathy training, I learned about the subtle energies that shape us as humans, among many other incredible teachings. The case-taking process we learned and practiced has been perhaps the most valuable and insight-filled tool. Through this process, listening takes a new meaning, and it is there that the healing/remedy is found. It brought me great personal healing.
However, as I grow more into myself, in my practice as a doula and a homeopath, I find myself drawn to silence. I turned to craniosacral therapy in order to listen with my hands, with my whole being. The physical nature of BCST is incredibly complementary to the case-taking/dialogue, not only in my work as a doula, but in my own life.
How would you explain your philosophy of healing?
Listen with your whole self (WHOLE-istic). Witness without judgement or bias. Be present.
Hold the space and allow for the unfolding of the individual, holding them with an open, beating heart.
What attracted to Tiger Lotus Coop?
The cooperative aspect. We live in times when the old paradigms are slowly dissolving. We see this reflected in every aspect of our society and culture. We see it in familial structures, the work place, our health care system, government. The old ways are no longer serving us, and the new ways that are emerging in which there is collaboration in place of ownership, community in place of individuality, and open dialogue with a common goal towards BETTER (more equitable, fair, inclusive) is what I see as a key mandate and foundation for Tiger Lotus. Building together, creating together, working together is what drew me to the coop.
What would you like to see change in Quebec's healthcare service?
To be honest we are lucky in many ways to have the health care system we have. We can often see a doctor when we need one and usually things work out. I think that the shift has to come from deep within our own belief systems. Once we believe that we are the #1 best healers of our own bodies, that nobody can take ownership of our bodies without our consent (and this means even taking blood pressure/vitals) and that medical professionals are human too and there should be a dialogue about our care that includes US, then we can begin to heal a system that is often reflective of very antiquated and patriarchal models that leave little space for compassion, listening, understanding and collaboration.
What lights your fire?
The desire for every human’s rights to be upheld and respected. In the most basic plane, the physical, to be seen, heard and honoured when in a vulnerable position (hospital/ birth). Within these human rights, also the need and the right to be touched and treated with traditional, complementary or alternative modalities, and the right for these traditional modalities to be accessible to all, if they are wanted by the individual.
Our broken system lights my fire. Broken motherhood lights my fire, with statistics soaring in maternal mental health disorders (with anxiety and PTSD on the rise), placing mothers in a vulnerable and nearly impossible position where high performance is expected, and support is often non-existent. Broken birth lights my fire, with parents going into parenthood often times feeling confused, shocked and traumatized. The desire to see these things shift and change lights my fire.
The drive to see spaces created where we meet as people, as humans, with skills to share freely. Spaces where we are free to be curious, where we make food together, where we sit together and allow the time to pass. Where there is mentorship, where we can grow into the footsteps of elders.
Spaces that respect Nature, honour and cherish it.
What nourishes you? Nature and stillness. Sleep and good food. Laughter with friends. Loving and being loved.