Welcome I’m Puanani, a Pilipina-Sāmoan spiritual director and all-bodies personal trainer. My practice is profoundly shaped by my grandmothers and aunties, education and lived experience. My practice centers the well-being and healing of marginalized communities.
Why do people seek Spiritual Direction with me? I am a trained practitioner in accompaniment, listening contemplatively to the ways Spirit/Divine moves and weaves throughout ones story and everyday. I’ve provided spiritual care for the following reasons but are not limited to them.
Discernment and transitions
Rest & held space to be present
Community & Witness to one’s unfolding
Grief and healing
Co-Creating spiritual practices
Evolving theology & expanding spirituality
Decolonizing spirituality
Parenting
Embodiment
I accompany seekers through one-on-one and group sessions. I integrate embodied practices to support listening, exploration, and making meaning.
Movement as a mode of listening
Following our initial consultation, we may decide to spend our sessions practicing a form of movement within my scope of practice as a mode of listening to the wisdom of our bodies.
Education & More
My work is informed by a Master’s in Teaching, a certification in Spiritual Direction from Still Harbor, and Personal Training Certificate from the National Association of Sports Medicine with focus . Beyond my private practice, I am an instructor and facilitator at Liberated Together Spiritual Direction School and work as a Grant Administrator at Boston University School of Theology, Accompanying Immigrant Families.
Formerly, I was a school teacher and ministry leader in Santa Ana CA. I now live right outside of Atlanta with my husband and 3 children. I am passionate about mothering (my children and children in my community) as a collective care and justice practice. Whether I’m dancing unapologetically in my kitchen, talking stories or facilitating , I’m fueled by connection and community.
“In collectivist cultures, our elders told us long ago that we carry the stories of our communities in our bodies.”
-Cindy S. Lee
