About
Meet Ida
“Ida possesses a special ability to facilitate healing in a deeply meaningful, unconventional way. By creating a loving and safe container, I was able to explore a realm of joyful expression I didn't realize was there. My gratitude towards her is boundless, as she played a pivotal role in guiding me to connect with the spirit and the wisdom of embodiment. My experience keeps revealing new layers of understanding and I am genuinely thankful for the remarkable gifts she shares.”
- Melissa H.
Reconnect with Your Body and Spirit
Your body remembers how to heal. Your spirit remembers how to belong. Through somatic movement, self-care practices, ritual, and Nordic folk traditions, I help modern humans release what has been held too long and rediscover the wild wisdom within.
Embodied Healing
For over twenty years as a Licensed Massage Therapist, I’ve witnessed the intelligence of the human body. Our bodies need to move, play, and heal. Through yoga and Middle Eastern dance, I’ve seen how ecstatic-somatic movement releases stored emotions and past trauma, strengthening the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
Talk therapy alone often revisits the same roots of pain. Movement gives the body a voice, allowing it to express and release what words cannot. I create a safe space for exploration, play, and freedom—so you can remember how to be fully alive again.
A Lifelong Path to Wisdom
I am a seeker of authentic, rooted spirituality. My journey has taken me through traditions worldwide, but studying my Northern European lineage awakened something deeper. Learning from Nordic Folk Magic and Shamanic practitioners that reside in the Scandinavian countries has been foundational in shaping my path.
As a Norse Pagan and Animist, I embody the role of Klok Gumma (Wise Woman) or Trollkvinna (Magic Woman) in Swedish tradition—a Cunning Woman, or Witch, in English. My work invites all to access ancestral wisdom, even if cultural traditions were never passed down directly.
Honoring Nature and Ancestry
Reconnecting with Nature and your natural self is central to this work. When we restore that relationship, we begin to feel truly at home in the world. If you have Northern European ancestry, I encourage you to explore the folk medicine and traditions of your ancestors—they remain alive and powerful.
I also honor diverse spiritual paths and acknowledge the harm caused through European colonialism. My work is inclusive, welcoming clients of all backgrounds while challenging systems of oppression. My intention is to help open the pathways for you to connect to your own unique lineage.
Guiding Modern Humans
As an American-born Nordic Folk Healer and Somatic Guide, I support people in reconnecting with their natural selves through ritual, guided journeys, and embodied practices. Rooted in decades of study, devotion, and countless hours of space holding, my work is guided by deep listening, intuition, and relational care.
If you are ready to welcome mystery, play, and wildness back into your life… you may have found your witch.
Over the river and through the woods… into the cave we go!
About Caveside Wellness Gladstone, OR
A Sanctuary for Self-Care & Community
I created Caveside Wellness, a cozy, woman-owned studio in Gladstone, Oregon, just minutes from Portland, to provide a welcoming space for self-care, somatic movement, and holistic wellness. My hope is to offer a warm, supportive environment where people in the local community can slow down, take a breath, and reconnect with their body, mind, and spirit.
I believe wellness should feel approachable, personal, and supportive. That’s why Caveside Wellness is a small, intimate space where everyone can feel comfortable, cared for, and guided on their wellness journey.
Classes & Services Offered
At Caveside Wellness, I offer small group classes and private sessions designed to help you relax, restore, and connect with your body and emotions. Offerings include:
Somatic movement & embodiment classes
Self-massage for pain management and injury prevention
Guided breathwork sessions
Yoga and stretching classes
Meditation and guided journeys
Private healing sessions by appointment
Classes are intentionally kept small—no more than 8 participants—so everyone receives personal attention and a supportive, restorative experience.
My Space
Caveside Wellness is located in the daylight basement of my home, with a private entrance for a calm, peaceful environment. Inside, you’ll find:
A welcoming lobby with storage hooks and a half bath
“The Cave,” a cozy 150 sq ft practice room for up to 8 students
Yoga mats and props for every class
The space is designed to feel warm, grounding, and retreat-like, providing a quiet haven away from the busy outside world.
Why People Choose Caveside Wellness
Many people come here looking for a more personal, intimate wellness experience than a large studio can provide. Here, you’ll find:
A small, supportive environment
Personalized guidance in every class
A thoughtfully designed space for comfort and relaxation
A holistic approach that supports physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
A welcoming community where meaningful connections can grow
My Mission
My mission is to create a nurturing space where you can explore self-care, reconnect with yourself, and feel supported along your journey. Every detail—from small class sizes to the cozy, grounding environment—was designed to support your embodied wellness. I’m so glad you’re here!
What Others Are Saying about Me & My Space
“I’ve been working with Ida for several years now. I’ve struggled on and off with anxiety and one of the most powerful shifts I’ve felt is doing movement work with her. She has helped me get out of my head and ground into my body. Every session I’ve had with her has been different. I really value how she holds such a safe space for me to have whatever response my body is going to have that day. She is a profound healer. I’ve not quite met someone so empathic and intuitive. Most of the time, I don’t even have to tell her where I’m feeling discomfort. She can feel/sense it. She knows right where to go or knows how to help me move. I also like that she empowers me. I feel like she’s working with me not just on me if that makes sense. She truly has a gift. She has spent years studying and you can tell. I also have to say that she has curated a beautiful healing space. I feel like I’m in a completely different world. I am able to detach from all the external noises and just be at peace in her space. I always look forward to my sessions with her and I always feel so much better after seeing her. I cannot recommend her enough!”
-Ruby E.
Beyond Gladstone, Oregon
Find me throughout Clackamas & Multnomah County
In addition to teaching at Caveside Wellness in Gladstone, Oregon, I’m the proud co-owner of the Way Home Studio in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood, where many of my somatic movement and embodiment workshops take place.
You can also find me teaching weekly wellness classes and guided sessions in Milwaukie at Prema Yoga, as well as at The Alignment Collective on the South Waterfront in downtown Portland. I’m grateful to be part of such supportive, community-focused wellness spaces across the Portland area.
To find where I’m teaching, gathering, and working one-on-one, visit the Classes & Events page and explore the part of town that calls to you. You can also join Letters from the Cave to stay connected to upcoming offerings and special events.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: This is me sitting at the base of a prehistoric grave mound in Sweden—my ancestral lands. Here in Oregon, I acknowledge the original stewards of the land I now call home: the Clackamas, Kalapuya, and Molalla peoples. I honor those who have cared for this land since time immemorial, and I offer my deep gratitude for the dedication to preserving Indigenous traditions, culture, and ways of living in relationship with the Earth. May we continue to learn from this wisdom and work together to ensure that future generations never forget the importance of reverence, reciprocity, and right relationship with the land and with one another.