Unlike many traditional healing approaches that seek to micromanage your body and "fix" it from the outside-in, we focus on improving resilience and stability from the inside-out.
The Chrysalis Studio provides classes, workshops, and clinical support to unwind old trauma + tension patterns so you can do more without slowing down (instead of trying to live in a magical stress-free bubble when you've got sh*t to do).
We give you the science + strategies you need to go beyond the status quo, and level up your capacity for greatness.
If you feel purpose-driven to make a huge impact, refuse to accept limitation, and crave authentic connection with your community
in a way that promotes empowerment & celebration...
This is where you
THE CHRYSALIS STORY
Did you know that when a caterpillar is inside its chrysalis, before it turns into a butterfly, it turns liquid? LIQUID! From the outside, transformation often looks like complete and utter destruction. Think about a seed sprouting...it looks like the seed exploded!
While it seems like the caterpillar is destroyed, turning liquid is totally necessary for it to reorganize and transform into a butterfly. A creature that used to only crawl can now fly!
Most of us have had times in our lives when we felt completely liquid. You know the feeling...like you don't even know how to "person". It feels like everything is falling (or has fallen) apart.
Trauma (of all kinds) is kind of an amazing thing in that it liquefies us, and presents an opportunity to reorganize. But not knowing how to move forward through that place can be terrifying. When we don't have the tools and support to move forward through the liquid state, our intelligent bodies will lay down bracing and tension to splint.
(splinting is a totally valid and useful tool to protect something we don't know how to process in the moment)
But in order to fully actualize our deepest potential, in order to evolve into the butterfly, this requires an unwinding of the places where we hold tension + bracing.
Here at Chrysalis, we've refined some of the most innovative and effective techniques to help you navigate the places that bind you, improve resilience + stability from the inside-out, find the shape of your wings, and bloom into a fuller expression of your unique magic so your inner magnificence is reflected in physical reality.
Because we know that the same God or Great Mystery or Universal Intelligence (or whatever you want to call it) that created mountains and oceans and rainforests and sunsets knew that the universe needed one of YOU. Exactly YOU.
We have great things to accomplish in our communities and in our world...and chronic stress is no joke. It can lead to mental fog, emotional over-reactivity, susceptibility to every little bug going around, a loss of inspiration + drive, and generally feeling meh.
Not only does it slow us down in the moment, it can also challenge personal + professional relationships, and a major health crisis becomes unavoidable.
We're not really into that...and we bet you feel the same.
So we're on a mission to do something about it!
The Chrysalis Studio provides classes, workshops, and clinical support to empower you with simple strategies for realistic self-care so you can do more without slowing down (because we know that living in some magical stress-free bubble isn't an option when you've got sh*t to do!)
Ready to reclaim your innate capacity for health, creativity, and unf*ckwithability?
A SENSORY HAVEN
Some people are born highly sensitive. Some people become highly sensitive through trauma. Sensory sensitivity is even a normal part of the fight-or-flight response, so it's pretty common for people with chronic stress. Highly sensitive people experience heightened awareness of their sensory environment, including light, sound, touch, and more.
While we like to think of this as a superpower (sensing subtleties, delving deeply, and often resulting in powerful insight + creativity), we also recognize that sensory sensitivity can mean the outside world can be overstimulating and overwhelming.
At Chrysalis Studio, we've created an urban oasis free from the most common triggers that cause sensory overwhelm. We ask that all visitors refrain from using perfume or other scented personal care products, we're a shoe-free zone, and you'll find no harsh fluorescent lights here! We even have beautiful sprung flooring to reduce compressive stress when participating in movement classes or just walking around.
While some solutions for sensitivity work by numbing, we know that we can't numb selectively, and this approach means missing out on joy as well as pain. So rather than seeking to dull sensitivity, we work together with clients to cultivate resilience and adaptability so you can feel all the things - without getting knocked off kilter!
our philosophy: it's all about
RESONANCE
We're on a mission to facilitate sustainable change, whether you're trying to release stored tension in the body, change a habit, or convince someone else of your point of view.
Right down to the cellular level, we can be in either growth + healing mode or bracing + defense mode...not both simultaneously!
And all change is challenging, even in the right direction.
Our approach works a bit like partner dancing, so rather than try to force change from the outside-in, we work in resonance with the system we're trying to change in a way that facilitates softening and ease. Like pushing a child on a swing, powerful shifts can be accomplished with relatively little force - as long as you're consistent with the existing frequency of the swing!
Want to learn more? Watch this quick message from Dr Satya for a peek into the connections between chronic stress, fascia, and resilience.
about the founder
Innovative Neurology Specialist and Champion of Human Potential
Dr. Satya Sardonicus is a teacher, clinician, coach, and professional speaker, and the founder of The Chrysalis Studio in Portland, Oregon where she specializes in sensory processing, chronic stress, and trauma. Dr. Sardonicus also serves as an adjunct professor and clinical supervisor for Palmer College of Chiropractic and University of Western States, and as a guest lecturer for courses in Pediatrics and Clinical Neurology at University of Western States.
Dr. Sardonicus brings a unique perspective of the healing process; her deeply personal experience with trauma and chronic illness inspired her to innovate treatment strategies and programs that promote sustainable healing and less reliance on outside providers. Her multidisciplinary framework for facilitating therapeutic change has been referred to as a “unified field theory” to provide sustainable, transformative, trauma-informed care across all techniques.
A second-generation chiropractor in a family full of holistic providers, Dr. Sardonicus is actively informed by a passion for neuroscience, biotensegrity + fascia, and a vitalistic philosophy. She is the creator of Fascial Flow Method, a groundbreaking body-based approach to unwind old trauma and tension patterns and become more resilient to physical, mental, and emotional stressors.
Above all, Dr. Sardonicus is an innovative thinker, healer, and champion of human potential.
Resilience Facilitator
Associate Clinician
Dr. Danielle Ayres joined The Chrysalis Studio in 2018 after completing her doctoral degree at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Ayres is completing postdoctoral training in prenatal and pediatric care through the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association and anticipates certification through the Academy of Family Practice Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics in 2019. Dr. Ayres completed undergraduate studies in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience with special focus on Gender + Health at the University of Michigan in 2015.
Dr. Ayres values the integration of neurology, biotensegrity, and vitalism into a clinical practice that also prioritizes critical and integrative thinking. Having discovered Dr. Sardonicus and her practice philosophy during chiropractic school, Dr. Ayres resonated strongly with the power of beginning care by first addressing any chronically elevated fight-or-flight response. She was able to dive deeper into this work by completing a doctoral preceptorship with Dr. Sardonicus, learning about resonance-based care, biotensegrity, and how to facilitate true resilience from the inside-out.
Dr. Ayres brings a unique focus to the Chrysalis Studio in supporting families wanting to optimize fertility and prepare the best possible pregnancy. During her time at Palmer, Dr. Ayres served as President of the Pediatrics Club, spending time educating her peers and organizing events related to the clinical care of pregnant women and children. Dr. Ayres strongly believes in empowering women and has made it a focus to create space within her community that highlights female connection and leadership.
what others are saying
I walked out of the Resilience Reset workshop feeling personally and professionally inspired...AND with my body feeling so much better than when I arrived!
Kelley Burke, LMT
❤
After only 2 hours of training, I felt a new sense of ease and fluidity in every movement. The next morning my chiropractor adjusted me and for the first time, my neck didn't need any adjustments at all. The fascial tension in my system had also improved. I am amazed at just how profound of an impact this training has had on my own tension patterns. The best part about completing this training is having the tools to help yourself and help others.
Valerie Kovach, DC student
❤
Dr. Satya is one of the most motivated and brilliant women in our profession. She successfully blends elements of research on anatomy + neurology, clinical experience, and personal experience in a way that brought power and immediate applicability to the material covered.
Amy Haas, PhD, DC
❤
Dr. Satya Sardonicus has a wonderful ability to turn complex neurologically-based matters into not only easy to understand but also highly applicable tools in practice. A wonderful presenter and educator. Her personal story of overcoming challenges by utilising what she teaches is truly inspiring.
Dr. Billy Chow, Vice Pres. Australian Spinal Research Foundation