Ali and Rhett: From our very first classes in a small building in Ankeny, Iowa, Pat Crozier has been a steady, nurturing presence at the heart of Body Wisdom. As one of our original teachers, Pat helped shape the spirit and soul of our school long before we became what we are today. Her gentle wisdom and passion for healing touch have guided countless students through the powerful worlds of lymphatic drainage, prenatal and infant massage, and her deep knowledge of aromatherapy has brought nature’s medicine into our classrooms in the most beautiful way. In this special interview, we sit down with Pat to reflect on those early days, explore the modalities that speak to her heart, and celebrate the quiet brilliance she brings to the Body Wisdom community.
BWS: You were there at the very beginning of Body Wisdom! What do you remember most vividly about those early days in Ankeny?
Pat: A massage certification was never anything I had thought I would pursue, but I was studying for my aromatherapy certification and realized I would need a license to touch people with essential oils. I had left messages with a couple of massage schools in Iowa, and Ali was the first person to respond, and we set up an interview. I had a few hoops to get through, one of which was an ailing mother who was living with us, children who frequently needed transport in small-town IA, and a husband whose schedule changed daily. They were mountains for me and just little ‘puddles’ for Ali, and she won me over rapidly. One of the big pluses for me was that the classes were offered in very manageable blocks. I remember most vividly the love and acceptance I felt from both fellow students and staff.
BWS: Can you tell us about a moment early on when you realized, “This school is something special”
Pat: Everyone was so REAL, no pretense, just love and caring. Rhett was our initial instructor for massage and he taught us to ‘listen’ to our bodies – I had trained as a registered nurse and certified midwife in Zimbabwe and had never been encouraged to listen to my body – it was a ‘ foreign’ concept and one I grasped and have been so grateful for, these last 27 years.
In the early months of my training, my husband received a difficult diagnosis, which was heartbreaking – I felt the need to be ‘strong’ for my family and was careful not to allow myself to cry at home. We always started our days off with a circle at Body Wisdom – I did all my crying very freely and without judgement in those circles, tissues provided! Thank you, Rhett!
BWS: What has surprised you most about how Body Wisdom has grown and evolved since those humble beginnings?
Pat: Actually, nothing has surprised me – Rhett and Ali sought out well-qualified instructors, and at that time, they brought them in primarily from out of state – student NEEDS were obviously at the top of their agenda.
BWS: Aromatherapy is your specialty. What do you love most about it, and how do you see it enhancing massage work?
Pat: I love every aspect of it, found the chemistry a bit challenging, but had a husband who was a magnificent teacher and was able to bring it alive for me. It enhances massage work in so many pathways – relaxation being the obvious one, but is excellent in pain relief, muscle relaxation, meridian work, chakras, self care, depression and anxiety, respiratory care, and in making natural products.
BWS: What’s one piece of wisdom you try to pass on to every student you teach?
Pat: Where aromatherapy is concerned, I encourage them to ‘feel’ the oils in their inner being when they inhale them, and it’s obvious when they have succeeded and rapidly becomes their ‘norm’.
BWS: You’ve witnessed so many student journeys. What qualities do you see in students who really blossom in this field?
Pat: It’s wonderful when I see them creeping out of their shells and participating in class, when I see a gentle, yet firm, sincere spirit, when I see their aha moments because I well remember how those moments impacted me, when I see them including aspects of ALL they’ve learned, incorporating them to make every massage unique to the client they are serving.
BWS: How has teaching at Body Wisdom influenced your own growth as a practitioner and person?
Pat: I’m so grateful for the different modalities we were exposed to which expanded my mind in a big way – lymphatic drainage was one of them, Body Wisdom was way ahead of the curve and our core class persuaded me to ‘grow’ in that modality, and eventually came back to teach it at Body Wisdom – that system is such an essential aspect of our physiology. The modalities that are offered today would have been unimaginable in our day – the students are very blessed.
BWS: What does the Body Wisdom community mean to you on a personal level?
Pat: Body Wisdom was a life changer for me at the age of 50, and I’ve never looked back. I’m so proud of and thankful for the work Rhett and Ali did all those years ago, and continue to do.
BWS: What do you hope students feel after taking one of your classes?
Pat: I hope they feel excited about the modality they’ve just learned, and that they feel heard, encouraged, and loved.
BWS: Looking back, what are you most proud of in your time with the school?
Pat: I’m proud that I had the courage at age 50, in small-town Iowa, to change course in quite a dramatic way, and I’m so thankful to Ali for believing in me and giving me that courage.
BWS: What hopes or dreams do you have for the future of Body Wisdom?
Pat: I was fortunate to teach a class there recently after an absence of quite a few years. I was also very fortunate to have students who were hungry to learn. I found the staff there, most of whom were new to me, to be so helpful and kind. I was also privileged to meet Kirk, who had become the new owner of the school just the week before. If anyone is concerned about the future of ‘our’ school, please rest assured that Ali chose very wisely, Kirk is a wonderful human being, and I believe he will catapult Body Wisdom above any and all expectations.
BWS: If you could speak directly to future students or teachers reading this years from now, what would you want them to know about the roots of Body Wisdom?
Pat: The roots are deep, anchoring, grounding, and genuinely caring for the welfare of each and every student who crosses the threshold – I was one of the most unlikely students, and Body Wisdom changed all of that.
BWS: Any parting thoughts, lessons, or stories you’d love to share that we haven’t touched on?
Pat: I wish every student who goes through those doors every blessing on his/her journey through life.
A note from Ali and Rhett: Pat, thank you for sharing this. It truly warms our hearts. ❤️ I’m personally thrilled to have Kirk taking the reins at Body Wisdom. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better person to carry forward the mission that Ali and I have always believed in so deeply.
With Ali, Kirk, and me working together as a team, Body Wisdom is in excellent hands for the foreseeable future. It feels like the perfect blend of heart, vision, and dedication to our students and community.
Pat, I’m so grateful you got to experience that energy firsthand in your recent class—it means a lot to hear your words. 🙏
We’re sending you every blessing, Pat, and heartfelt thanks for your many years of dedication to both the healing arts and Body Wisdom. 💛 So much love and gratitude flowing your way from all of us—students, grads, and staff alike!
Ali and Rhett
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