Hi, I’m Shirley!

I’m a wellness visionary, integrative health educator and embodied mindfulness expert. My superpower is my ability to see and experience the interrelatedness of life. It’s my joy, privilege, and passion to share that with you.

“I believe each person has the power to manifest health and happiness and I want to help release that inner power.”

— Shirley Eichenberger-Archer

HEALTH IS A JOURNEY

I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years. My health journey started when my career as an attorney ended. Due to very serious health issues, I undertook a path of discovering for myself what health truly is: a journey. Despite the challenges of advocating for myself by myself, I was able to heal what doctors said couldn’t be healed. My healing journey was informed by the fact that I’m bi-cultural. I’m firmly rooted in the wisdom lineage of my Japanese mother and the scientific data orientation of my American father. Growing up at this unique East/West intersection, I was often given different advice by both parents on how to achieve something I wanted. The challenge was that they were both right. Based on their knowledge and experience they simply understood very different ways to reaching the same destination. This is truth. There is no one way to accomplish a goal. This unique lens is the one through which I experience the world, it’s who I am.

I believe everything is relational.

 
Shirley Archer, The Wellness Sensei
Shirley Archer, The Wellness Sensei
 

NATURE IS OUR TEACHER

I learned from the teachings of my mother that humanity is part of nature. That I was not separate and above all other creatures.She showed me that we humans have been gifted with consciousness that can be used to the advantage of all life; that our role as humans is to live together in harmony with nature, not to attempt to dominate it. When I connect with nature, I connect with my self. Each time I feel my feet on the earth, see the plants and animals, breathe the air, see the brilliant colors, feel the sensations of the environment, taste the flavors, I connect with the aliveness I share with the rest of the planet. I remember that I belong. I know that I am home. I can always look to the wisdom of nature to find the answers to my questions because I am surrounded by brilliants beings solving life’s issues every moment. In my work I pass along my mother’s wisdom to you by revealing how you too can have a powerful, peaceful, active relationship with nature.

I believe we are nature and nature is us.

LOVE IS EVERYTHING

In my life I have faced many challenges—discrimination, cruelty, loss, grief, betrayal, abandonment, violent sexual assault and resultant PTSD, health crises, a serious traffic accident with injury and trauma. 

On my healing journey and in my work I learned that self-love and radical self-acceptance are the door that opens our full potential, which we realize by being mindful in all areas of our lives all the days of our lives. Within each one of us lies our unique potential for optimal health and optimal living.

I believe we must hone, with intention and practice, the ability to tune in to our intuitive wisdom and the knowledge that exists in our body. This is the path I share in my work: a self-loving, self-affirming journey. 

The teachings and tools I share have taught me to respect myself and believe in myself always, how to hold my space and connect with earth, how to bend like bamboo when overwhelming forces threaten my survival, how to flow like water when I cannot control the path.

I believe these teachings offer a way to access unlimited personal power.

 
Shirley Archer, The Wellness Sensei

Awards & Achievements

 ACE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

CERTIFIED BY THE MINDFULNESS MEDITATION TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

AUSTRALIAN FITNESS AUTHOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Apex Award of Excellence

APEX AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH & MEDICAL WRITING

2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2003, 1999

IDEA INTERNATIONAL FITNESS INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

“It is truly wonderful to have such esteemed and eloquent leaders represent our fitness community and specifically the American Council on Exercise. Your collective education and experience in our industry has helped to provide positive change to the lives of many.”

— Ken Germano

President, American Council on Exercise Founder, Operation FitKids(TM)

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The Wellness Sensei Dojo

Health. Nature. Love.