About Cindy Parker
Cindy Parker, also known as Ma Parker, offers a variety of learning opportunities for better understanding and incorporating healing plants into one’s lifestyle while honoring mother earth. She has been offering consultations, classes, retreats, and mentoring programs since 1979. Her teaching style encourages critical thinking, hands on experience and connecting with nature and other people.
Involved with holistic health for over four decades, she first became interested in food and the affects of diet on one’s health. Her journey has taken her down many side roads that contribute to improving physical function, emotional balance, and spiritual insights. She is very open and giving of herself, especially to those inspired by this journey of self discovery through nature and a commitment to taking personal responsibility for one’s own well being.
She has been teaching herb classes locally and throughout the country since graduating from the California School of Herbal Studies in 1979. Her dedication to the wise woman tradition incorporates simple back yard weeds in relative abundance, compassionate listening that honors and respects all relations, and simple ritual to strengthen the intentional focus that empowers healing.
Cindy feels most comfortable identifying as a domestic herbalist. Her intention is to keep this healing art in the hands of the people. Such wisdom has always been passed down from generation to generation at home by those who tend to the needs of the family. They have not only assured survival by teaching basic life skills but they are the glue that holds society together.
Cindy’s bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and master’s degree in family studies have further enhanced her work as a domestic herbalist. Her experience as a childbirth educator and midwife’s assistant fuels her passion for families. She earned a certificate in dietary management from Hocking College and has taught Food is Elementary in the public school system. She has supervised several summer food programs for low income children and served on school wellness committees.
Cindy has studied many forms of holistic practices that complement her knowledge and insight into healthy living such as body work, exercise, affirmations, flower essences, and meditation. She has been involved with sustainability and community building programs like Transition Towns and Awakening the Dreamer.
She believes that “to teach is to inspire”. Her goal is to provide information in a way that motivates students to want to learn. She encourages others to embrace life and trust their intuition, in order to develop their own information base. When knowledge passes through the heart, it becomes true wisdom and embodies ethical behavior and respect for all.
For more information on what she offers, check out the various education formats and possible topic options.