How To Heal Series: Energy and Shamanism with Dave Eyerman

This week I connected with Dave Eyerman from Clear and Now Healing to dive into the world of energy and shamanism. I specifically wanted to reach out to Dave because I think there’s a gap in the health and wellness world when it comes to understanding energy work, a method that has contributed to healing for centuries, and I want to bring some awareness to those methods through this interview. 

Carolyn: Hi Dave, thanks for connecting with me today! I always like to start with basic introductions, so, tell me a little about yourself. How did you get involved in Holistic coaching? 

Dave: Pleasure to connect! I’ve been a coach, healer, and teacher my whole life. When I was a kid, I ran for student council in elementary school on a platform that focused on just wanting to make things better. Then, when I was older, I was a high school teacher and loved it. I was good at teaching, but I really liked working with kids 1:1. That clicked with me much more and my wife suggested I go to acupuncture school. I was going through treatment at the time and it was really helpful for me but I didn't know if I wanted to go for it. The short version of the story is that I said no at first but that when I said yes I loved it! 

Carolyn: That's so awesome! I love how life will direct you exactly where you need to be, even if you don't realize it. How did energy work come into play? 

Dave: Well, I added my own stuff over the years like energy work and shamanism but they all kinda layer together. I use them all as tools to an end. Yes, I’m an acupuncturist and a shamanic practitioner but really, I'm a life coach. I help people grow and get clear on who they are so they can live a rich, happy, life. When people come to me and ask if acupuncture is the only way, I say no. There are so many options and it’s really how you use those tools that matters. 

Carolyn: That's the whole point of writing these posts, to let people know that there are SO MANY options to find better health, healing, and happiness. I know you offer both coaching and classes, can you tell me a little bit about your programs? 

Dave: Sure! I teach a few different types. I teach reiki and the other classes are things I've developed myself. For example, I just taught a boundaries class for empaths. I developed these classes as a way to heal myself, but I learned how much they resonate with others. When it comes to empaths, most of us over help. We say yes when we should say no. We help at the expense of ourselves, and while empathy is good and helping is good, we want to do it in a boundary appropriate way. There are issues that are underlying and come from being an empath without boundaries. 

Carolyn: That's what the journey is all about, right? Learning how to navigate the route and then helping others along the same path! 

Dave: Exactly. And this class gives you actionable tools to take with you. We look at why we over care and some techniques to come to a better understand of a way to be healthy with it. I want people to know how to use these concepts so it's all about learning and reflecting. The second half of the class is about just being sensitive to other people's energy. You can take on the energy of the people around you and we go over the how's and why’s that that happens and better boundaries around that. So that’s one class that I teach…. 

Carolyn: Sounds fascinating! What do you want people to take away from working with you?

Dave: The basic aim of my life coaching is to help people live a fuller, richer life. Most commonly people will reach out to me because of stress and anxiety but usually, that points me to something different. How you respond to external pressure shows me more about what’s going on with you. I work with clients to help them move through this. I help them consider how they can become more free from themselves. I call myself a Personal Freedom Advocate. Who we are at our core is whole and complete but all the shit that happens in life layers on top and blocks us from accessing that beautiful truth. I work with clients to help them move those things away so they can reconnect with their truest self. 

Carolyn: Ummm, that sounds incredible! How do you do that? By teaching alternative coaching methods? 

Dave: Actually, I usually don’t teach coping mechanisms. Instead, I like to help clients follow their train of thought to discover the root of where the stress is coming from. If you don’t argue with your anxiety, you can work with it and use it to understand what's really going on under the surface. It’s not about trying to meet your anxiety where it’s at, it’s about clearing out those under-the-surface thoughts and beliefs. What happens is, over time, some of those issues will just go away as you work with the underlying negative thoughts. It happens with practice. 

Carolyn: Speaking my language, my friend! Ok, so let's talk about energy! For the people who have no clue what shamanism is, can you break down how it works?

Dave: Oh yes, shamanism is mankind's oldest spirituality and medicine. It’s built on a couple fundamental principles, taking in all aspects of who you are:

1. Everything is connected. Everything is a relationship. There are many native tribes that don’t have a word for object, so everything is a being, So you’re always in relationship. It brings into focus how you relate in a balanced and honorable way to all beings, and everything then becomes an ally. 

2. Everything is a being. 

3. All beings have a spirit. 

4. All beings are a manifestation of Spirit. Truly, you are Spirit manifesting as a being, just as everything else is. 

A shaman is one who has been trained to connect with the spirits of these beings. I am not a shaman, and I don't think I will never call myself a shaman. That is a community-appointed title, not a self-appointed one. I do shamanic work and use shamanic techniques as part of my healing practice, but I don't call myself a shaman. 

Carolyn: The idea that everything is connected was a really difficult concept for me to grasp for a long time, but now, it all makes so much sense. And what about energy work?

Dave: We know energy. We know what it's like to have a lot of energy. We know what its like to feel low on energy. When we have a lot of energy, we are clear headed, bright eyed, more positive. Low energy is lethargic, etc. If you told someone you’re having a low energy day, they’d get it. So I describe it on that level. In order to get more energy, we need to eat well, sleep well, eat good foods, we know that. All those are active processes, things we have to do in order to get more energy. Receiving Reiki or other energy work is like filling up your gas tank without having to do anything active. And then your body’s natural wisdom knows how to heal itself. If you break your arm, the cast doesn’t heal you, its just protecting it so your body can do its work. 

Carolyn: So, it’s about relaxing the body so it can heal itself. Right?

Dave: You've got it!

Carolyn: I believe that to my core. So tell me, who would benefit from this type of work?

Dave: People who know there's something more to life than what they’re experiencing. Have you ever had the feeling that something is missing? You may not know what that thing is, but something just isn't satisfying or there's some deeper discontent, and I like to help guide people to discovering what that is and incorporating that into their life.  

Carolyn: That's me, for sure, and so many other people I know. What a gift to give such clarity to people! Tell me, what does a class with you look like? What should people expect? 

Dave: To start, usually we do some introductory material to get acquainted. Classes are always a combo of lecture, discussion, and practice because I want everyone to have tools to walk away with. A good teacher is valued based on what students can do on their own after the class is over. I give students the freedom to ask questions and open a discussion in a formally informal setting. It's a casual atmosphere. I wear jeans, I curse, and I try to be as grounded as I can in my presentation. I want to give a hands on approach with tools in a relaxed setting. 

Carolyn: I bet that takes away a lot of nervous tension! What benefits have your clients seen from working on this with you? 

Dave: People have told me it’s been life changing, but you get out of it what you put in. If people are looking to me to fix their problems, they’re staying in disempowerment. When you're working with me, you're making an investment in yourself, a commitment to yourself. When people are invested in the work, they can get to another level of understanding themselves. If people want to change their lives, absolutely this is the place. If you want to become fully alive, more fully who they are, this is the place to do it. 

Carolyn: That's a powerful statement and so true. You get out what you put in! Ugh, I'm so inspired by this interview and I'm sure a lot of other people will be too! Where can people find you? 

Dave: On the web! Find me on my website and my Facebook!

Carolyn: Awesome!! Thank you SO MUCH for meeting with me and sharing some of your knowledge, this was absolutely fascinating!

Dave: It's my pleasure! Thanks for having me!

Interviews by Carolyn from Without The Weight, Inc. are meant to share all the different options available to heal your mind, body, and spirit from a holistic lens. Any advice or recommendations are meant to work as complementary therapies alongside any treatment provided by your medical practitioner and are not suggested as a replacement for medical care.