Meet Grace Peterson | Somatic Practitioner & Freediving Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Grace Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Grace, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business wasn’t necesarilly an intentional thought process. My business happened organically from outgrowing my private practice of massage therapy. I got to a point in my career where I couldn’t handle the client demand as a solo therapist so it was at that stage of my growth that encouraged me to expand my practice. Once I made the decision to move forward with Saltwater Integrative Bodywork, that is when the conscious thought process began. I approached its creation with the understanding that this is an entity that I was bringing life to and it would be my job to keep it alive. There is a sense of freedom that comes with owning a business, but there are also a lot of sacrifices. I didn’t anticipate wearing quite so many hats and having so little time off, but I choose to keep going because it is absolutely worth it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
While we specialize in somatic therapies such as massage therapy, what we do is far more special and it’s hidden in our name. Beyond representing the love of the ocean by our entire team, Saltwater Integrative Bodywork is grounded in alchemy, the process of transformation. In alchemy, salt refers to physical matter, or the body, and water is a symbol of our unconscious and our emotions. We cultivate a space that fosters integration of both the physical and emotional as part of the whole embodied experience, hence the name, Saltwater. I like that other ocean minded clients are initially attracted by our name and eventually discover the deeper meaning behind it and what we do.

Right now, I am most excited about bringing our unique approach to freediving and freediving to our business. As part of my graduate work, I researched surf therapy and, though it was wonderful, it wasn’t until I took a freediving course that I realized how my work in surf therapy was even more applicable to freediving. I knew during the first course that I ever took that I needed to teach this and integrate my integrative philosophy, so I went on to become an instructor. Initially I was unsure of what this approach to freediving would look like, but we began to offer freediving as a modality with our integrative approach in 2021. Turns out there is a niche within the freediving community that was needed to be filled and I am here to offer it. I hold a space that supports an attentive listening for my student or client’s inner awareness. The big takeaway is that you do not need to dive deep to reach depth.

Since evolving into where we are today, I have learned that I am never going to feel ready to take the next step, but if I find courage to do follow through, that is where I find success. As lessons in personal growth, business growth and even in freediving teach us, encountering discomfort with curiosity rather than shying away in fear will ultimately reward us. In the willingness to embrace the unknown, there is a chance for growth whether in the form of success or failure, but even in so-called failure there is so much to learn, and there will always be more to learn.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s easy to get stuck in the Leucadia bubble because there are so many gems here, but we have a whole underwater world just to the south of us in La Jolla that is worth visiting. The kelp forests off of our coast are unique to California and offer the opportunity to see wildlife you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Even the ocean-weary can easily access the breathtaking experience of swimming with leopard sharks at La Jolla Shores. They can be found in very shallow water and it requires no gear other than a mask or goggles (and a buddy) to enjoy.

Some of my favorite places in North County are Revolution Roasters in Oceanside, The Goods in Carlsbad, and Jojo’s Creamery in Encinitas. If you do find yourself in La Jolla, nothing beats Sugar and Scribe, especially after a morning exploring our underwater park. You’ll have the best breakfast of your life and be ready to lay on the beach all afternoon.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today without many people with whom I’ve crossed paths, but most of all, our clients and students. Every single person who shows up for our services obviously allows us to be in business, but to also learn and to become better at what we do. We are where we are and as good as we are at what we do because of them. Hands down.

Website: www.saltwaterbodywork.com

Instagram: @saltwater.bodywork

Image Credits
Chelsea Meyer Oriana Poindexter Hannah Reynolds