A Holistic Expert Allows Her Clients To Do Their Own Healing

In 1993, when Bonnie Berke began thinking about making a transition from a lucrative position as a legal headhunter to the practice and study of holistic medicine, she knew it wasn't going to be easy but it was something she had to do. "I felt very unsatisfied at my job. The money was great but I was simply burnt out," Berke revealed, having worked in the law field for over a decade. In order to cope with all the stress she was going through, she sought out the help of a Shiatsu Massage Therapist. "I saw how effective this modality was and my interest was peaked," she said.

The move to holistic medicine wasn't so far fetched for Berke. "As a teenager, I experienced my own health challenges,' she said. "I was always fascinated with the body." To ease herself into a new career, she began by studying bodywork such as Shiatsu and Reiki. "In the early 90s, energy work such as Reiki was not mainstream as it is now," she said. As Berke continued to study alternative medicine, her life began to evolve.

She opened her practice, Body Wisdom Montclair (http://www.bodywisdommontclair.com) in 1995. She spent 10 years on Church Street and has been located in Upper Montclair for the past five years. She has been thrilled with the way the Montclair community has embraced her practice. "Montclair is a very progressive community and people are receptive to the work I do," she said.

And what exactly does she do? "As a Holistic and Wellness Counselor, my sessions are unique to each client. I focus on their primary health issue and go from there," she explained. Each session may include anything from health counseling to bodywork to stress management and nutritional product assessment. "As a certified lifestyle educator and holistic health counselor, I focus on the overall health of my clients and patients — physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual," explained Berke.

What sets Berke apart from other Life Coaches or Nutritional Counselors is that she is able to incorporate bodywork and massage into her sessions. She said: "I offer my bodywork skills as a comforting bond that establishes trust and relaxation for the patient. I work with each patient on my table as I gently encourage breathing and body-centered techniques to help them access their deeper inner body wisdom." 

Berke describes her practice by explaining that she serves as a conduit to her clients. "I don't like to call myself a healer. I assist my clients to do their own healing. I am constantly surprised that people don't realize that their bodies have the wisdom to heal themselves," she said. However, Berke's clients, whose ages range from 12-72, tend to be proactive and are ready to make the changes they are seeking in their lives. "My clients are usually in crisis or in some sort of transition," she said. "When they come to see me, they are usually in pain. They are uncomfortable in their mind or in their body."

In addition to Shiatsu Massage and Reiki, Berke also offers other services such as Body Image Counseling. "I treat many women who have issues with food or their self esteem," Berke said. Another unique modality that Berke offers is called Therapeutic First Line Therapy. "This is a 12-week program in which you fully take charge of your health. We look at the different choices you can make to improve your health," she said. "I help the client devise a sensible eating plan, exercise suggestions, stress management, and appropriate nutritional supplements." Berke also uses a Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis (BIA) machine that analyzes body composition such as body fat and lean body mass. "The BIA machine is a personalized approach to working with a client that allows me to treat the underlying causal level of disease, not just the symptoms."

Berke, who is not ashamed to reveal her age — 60 — practices what she preaches. "I take good care of myself. Aging doesn't have to include illness. I get bodywork, I meditate, I do yoga, and I eat healthy, organic foods," she said. Berke encourages her clients to listen to what their body is saying. "The body will whisper but if you don't listen, it will shout," she said. "I stay away from many foods simply because I know I won't feel well if I eat them. I truly listen to my body."

To learn more about Berke and her services and rates, please refer to her Web site http://www.bodywisdommontclair.com.

Do you have ideas for upcoming columns, know an athletic enthusiast, want to ask a question, or can put me in touch with people who are inspiring or creating a healthier Montclair? Email writer Judie Hurtado. Hurtado is an enthusiastic fitness and wellness expert with years of experience. She blogs about her health and fitness adventures at www.judiesjuice.wordpress.com. She has gotten published in magazines such as Time Out New York and Park Place.