
Rekindle Joy and Aliveness: Creative Arts Therapy for Chronic Conditions
Do You deal with Chronic Conditions Like Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Autoimmune Disorders, IBS, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Endometriosis/Adenomyosis, Depression, Severe PMS and more?
Living with a chronic condition can be profoundly challenging, altering your sense of self and everyday life.
It’s easy to feel frustrated and betrayed by your body, unheard, lonely, and misunderstood, especially when those around you may not fully grasp how difficult it is. They might think, or have even told you, that these conditions are “just in your head.”
You’ve likely tried countless ways to feel better and reclaim your life. Some methods may have worked, while others haven’t. This process can be tiring and disheartening.
What you truly seek is some relief from symptoms and pain, the chance to regain a sense of purpose, trust, aliveness, joy, and hope. You long to make sense of your life, be part of it, and reconnect with yourself and the world around you. You yearn for new visions, perspectives, possibilities, and the wisdom to face physical and emotional challenges with ease.
Reconnecting to Life is an invitation and a wake-up call for transformation, growth, and a deeper understanding of healing through chronic conditions.
It is a holistic, compassionate, creative, and therapeutic process that helps you rediscover the awe and divinity of Life.
Are you ready to reconnect to the wisdom of your body, heart and soul?
THIS IS FOR YOU IF...
THIS IS FOR YOU IF...
You’re challenged by a chronic condition or symptom (the list is long, but if you have it often and it affects your life, then this is for you).
You are courageous and although a bit shaky and uncertain, you are ready to explore your wisdom, strengths and possibilities for growth, healing and transformation.
Sometimes, you long for the magical pill and treatment that will make it go away asap, but deep down, you know these conditions require time, holistic processes and for you to take an active role in your healing.
You are open to exploring holistic and groundbreaking processes that blend creative arts therapy with Indigenous wisdom, somatic practices, and findings from the latest research on neurobiology—specifically regarding individual, collective, and ancestral trauma.
You know these conditions are real; they are not in your head! At the same time, you know there are patterns, limiting beliefs and wounds that need your awareness and compassionate attention.
I am an enthusiastic student of Life and the soul’s journey. Originally from Mexico, I have called New Zealand home for the last 15 years.
I've been on my own journey with fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. After facing limited treatment options and feeling intense frustration at being unable to work and function properly, I made a heartfelt intention: To trust my body, listen to Life and explore the depth, layers and real meaning of healing.
This made me reconnect with my body, nature, ancestral wisdom, intuition, compassion, and creativity. What started as a wish to feel better, heal, and return to my ‘normal life’ turned into a profoundly transformative path, where confusion, sadness, anger, chronic pain, and exhaustion shifted into clarity, peace, presence, and gratitude for Life. I understood that healing goes far beyond the ‘removal’ or improvement of symptoms.
I am a registered Creative Arts Therapist (ANZACATA) and an Inner-Work facilitator with 15 years of experience as a Facilitator, Educator and Nutritionist. Through my work, I support people in their journeys of reconnection, self-love, transformation and healing.
In my path, I’ve been fortunate to learn from and be inspired by many wise teachers and spiritual traditions. You can read more about my training and studies here.
Hi, I’m Norma Hernandez
Why reconnecting?
This logo transmits the essence of my work.
We are deeply interconnected. The nervous system in our bodies, the roots of the trees, and the fungus mycelium mirror how we relate, communicate and interweave within ourselves and with each other. We are interconnected with other human hearts, plants, Earth, Sky, animals, Life, and Divinity.
We lose connection when our nervous system is caught in a survival state. Parts of ourselves get numb, frozen, or in constant tension and stress.
The body is a physical container of our individual, ancestral, and collective history. When emotions or parts of ourselves are silenced or repressed, they get lodged in our bodies, no matter how long they have been repressed. Our bodies do this for protection. There is an intelligence behind the body’s tensions, pain, and stagnation. When we can tap into and explore these pains and tensions with the help of creative arts, somatics and the imaginal realm, we can release stuck emotions and protective patterns. Relieving emotional distress related to a physical one increases the availability of energy and reduces symptoms, pain and fatigue.
Our bodies have a natural tendency to connection and empathy. When we start a journey of reconnection, we start reconnecting to ourselves, others, nature, Life and Divinity. This opens our hearts, and aliveness, creativity, kindness, curiosity, playfulness, compassion, presence, and peace become available. This is exciting and inspiring because these health challenges become an opportunity and an urgent call for transformation and reconnection. From this place of open-heartedness, connection, and wholeness, we heal ourselves and truly support transforming and healing the world.
When we work together....
When we work together....
You’ll be safely, gently and compassionately guided to tap into your own innate wisdom. Together, we’ll explore new possibilities and perspectives in your life, helping you find your way to healing and wholeness.
You’ll rekindle your curiosity, creativity, inspiration, and playfulness—because yes!, we can embrace these qualities even while facing difficult challenges.
You’ll learn to reconnect with your precious and unique self in a caring and loving way. You’ll rediscover your connection to nature, your breath, the present moment, the imaginal realm and the divine essence of life.
You’ll befriend and learn to understand how your nervous system works with chronic conditions. You will experience practices to help you integrate unprocessed wounds and patterns that once served to protect you.

Kind words
Reconnecting to Life: A Holistic Journey
Reconnecting to Life is a process, a journey, designed to help you reconnect with your body and inner wisdom. It aims to strengthen your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being, providing insights into your chronic condition(s) while restoring a sense of safety, peace, awe, and aliveness.
Research has found a link between chronic conditions and chronic stress and trauma. Some theories suggest that in chronic conditions, the body often becomes trapped in a defence mechanism. This can manifest as a hyperactive nervous system (e.g., pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, nervousness, a desire to escape) or as an underactive nervous system (e.g., brain fog, shutdown, exhaustion, lethargy, feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings). I’ve found that in chronic conditions, both responses can occur simultaneously.
Creative Arts Therapy uses creative and artistic processes to express and explore inner experiences (thoughts, emotions, sensations, feelings). It offers a sensory, somatic and bottom-up approach that supports regulating emotions and calming the nervous system, releasing stress and pain and reintroducing the experience of presence, flow, play, curiosity and creativity, which are essential to restoring aliveness, healing and well-being.
This program consists of three interconnected modules, each serving as a stepping stone to the next. You will progress to the following module after completing the previous one.
MODULES
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Reconnecting 101: Sourcing and resourcing
(10 weekly 60-minute 1:1 sessions)
This first module initiates your unique journey of reconnection. You will embody the healing power of presence, awareness, self-compassion, self-acceptance, curiosity, creativity and connection to nature. You will be introduced to nourishing and restorative sensory experiences that enhance your capacity for flow, joy, self-regulation, and co-regulation, helping you manage painful and stressful sensations, emotions, and thoughts.
Additionally, this module will serve as an introduction to tapping into your own hero’s journey and the imaginal/mystical realm—the source of symbols, images, archetypes, guides, angels, and spirit animals— that will support and guide you through your reconnection journey.
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Reconnecting 102: Deep Listening
(7 weekly 60-minute 1:1 sessions)
In this module, you will explore your symptoms, pain, and bodily sensations with compassion, curiosity, and kindness.
Deep listening involves ‘listening’ and sensing with your whole body.
Through images, metaphors, symbols, and movement, you will give voice to your experiences, gaining deep insights and understanding. This process allows you to release emotional and physical burdens, fostering healing.
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Reconnecting 103: Interconnected Healing
(7 weekly 60-minute 1:1 sessions)
This module invites you to explore and integrate individual, ancestral, and spiritual resources and wisdom. You will learn that, although you may see yourself as an individual, your experiences are shaped and supported by relationships. These relationships include people, animals, nature, ancestors, Life, divinity…etc.
Through creative arts, somatic, and ancestral practices, you will connect to the greater wisdom of your body, soul, and Life.
Upon completing this module, you will be prepared to embark on an advanced journey of intergenerational healing.
What’s included

Above all, you should know that I understand your pain and struggles and how challenging it is to live with a chronic condition. At the same time, I also see the possibilities of depth, growth and transformation that await someone as courageous as you.
SPECIAL OFFER
Prices are in New Zealand dollars
Reconnecting 101 (10 weeks)- $520 NZ$468/monthly for 3 months or a lump sum of $ 1, 500 $1,350 Through May 31, 2025 only.
Reconnecting 102 (7 weeks)- $543 NZ$490/monthly for 2 months or a lump sum of $1,050 $945 through May 31, 2025 only.
Reconnecting 103 (7 weeks)- $543 NZ$490/monthly for 2 months or a lump sum of 1,050 $945 through May 31, 2025 only.
Three modules lump sum of $ 3,600 NZ$3,600 through May 31, 2025 only
Online and in-person sessions @ Te Tuhi, Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand.
* If it’s your deep desire to start your journey of reconnection and you are struggling financially, please contact me, and together we can find a way to make it happen.

FAQ
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Creative Arts Therapy uses expressive processes such as art, creative writing, movement, sculpting, sound, nature, symbol work, and imaginative play to promote mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being. It supports the exploration and expression of inner experiences—feelings, emotions, perceptions, and thoughts—that may be difficult to put into words.
By fostering present-moment awareness, Creative Arts Therapy aids in regulating emotions and calming the nervous system, it can also serve as a powerful tool for stress and pain relief, enhancing overall quality of life.
Creative Arts Therapy offers a sensory-based, somatic bottom-up approach that helps reintroduce the experiences of play, curiosity, creativity, and aliveness, which are essential for restorative imagination and healing.
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Not at all! You DON’t need to have artistic abilities. The focus of this process is on expression, exploration, and self-discovery rather than on creating “art” in a traditional sense. Everyone has a unique way of expressing themselves, and the creative activities are meant to help you tap into your feelings, thoughts, experiences and the imaginal realm.
It is a safe space where you can explore without judgment, allowing you to engage in whatever creative way feels right for you.
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Research has found a link between chronic conditions and chronic stress and trauma. Some theories suggest, that in chronic conditions, the body often becomes trapped in a defence mechanism. This can manifest as a hyperactivated nervous system (e.g., pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, nervousness, a desire to escape) or as an underactive nervous system (e.g., brain fog, shutdown, exhaustion, lethargy, feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings). I’ve found that in chronic conditions, both responses can occur simultaneously.
Understanding the landscape of our autonomic nervous system, reconnecting with our bodies, and practising the resources shared in this process can be valuable components of a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions and improving overall well-being.
Some benefits include emotional release, physical relaxation, stress reduction, increased present-moment awareness, feelings of safety, playfulness, self-compassion, and self-care. This approach can also help you rediscover your sense of self beyond your chronic condition and reconnect with the joy and vitality of life.
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This program consists of three interconnected modules, each serving as a stepping stone to the next. You will progress to the next module after completing the current one. You have the flexibility to choose how far along the journey you want to go-whether you take just one module, two or all three. The only requirement is that you must complete each module in order before moving on to the next.
If we’ve never worked together before, you start at module one.
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It takes approximately six months to complete all three modules. I recommend taking a two-week break between finishing Module 1 and Module 2.
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It's easy! Once you make your payment, you’ll be prompted to schedule your weekly sessions for the module.
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Yes, weekly sessions help maintain consistency and keep you engaged in your journey. They make the process more effective and supportive. If weekly sessions are not possible, fortnightly sessions could be considered.
If, for any reason, you cannot attend your session, you can reschedule with a 24-hour notice.
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Refund Policy
If you decide to withdraw for any reason, you may cancel your participation within 7 days of your payment to receive a full refund (minus the first session if it has already occurred), or a credit for future use. Refund requests must be made in writing. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method and may take up to three weeks to process. No refunds will be granted after this period.Even if you choose not to participate or don't use all your sessions, the remaining balance of the package is still due in full and must be paid according to the original timeline, unless otherwise agreed upon.
Follow this link to read all the Terms and conditions
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