Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I’m an emergency medicine physician and a researcher with a primary interest in cardiac arrest care and survivorship. I’ve been faculty at the University of Pittsburgh for six years, and I previously completed a fellowship in emergency cardiac care at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

Why is it important to have conversations about cardiac health?

General cardiac health will affect us all in terms of our ability to remain active throughout our lives. Cardiovascular disease leads to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Despite living a heart-healthy lifestyle, however, cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. There are many things that medical providers, as well as laypeople, can do to help those who might be in cardiac arrest. 

Someone having a cardiac arrest may look like they fainted or are having a seizure. Recognizing when to call for help and understanding what CPR is, when it might be useful, and what an automatic defibrillator (AED) is can be paramount to saving someone's life. Currently, Hands-Only CPR is recommended for lay rescuers and does not require mouth-to-mouth breaths.

How do you hope your personal story will help others?

I had a cardiac arrest — in my case, caused by a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot — that went to my heart while I was finishing my fellowship at VCU. I was in the right place at the right time to receive the care I needed in a health system that understood the medical and follow-up care one needs after surviving cardiac arrest. Not everyone is so lucky, and unfortunately, geographic disparities in lay rescuer CPR provision are real challenges. My experience as a patient only added to my passion for cardiac arrest care. It highlighted the need to prioritize survivorship and recovery as integral to cardiac arrest outcomes.  

We have learned that cardiac arrest doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens to a person, but there are family and friends, people who respond, or people who witness the event and don’t know what to do. Everyone is part of the story and has their own perspective to share. They can all suffer anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and fear after having witnessed a cardiac event. Those feelings are normal and people may benefit from professional psychological help. More resources are needed to support healthy heart and cardiac arrest awareness as well as recovery along the survivorship journey.

Cait is an embodiment coach, holistic product line creator, trauma-informed yoga teacher, somatic practitioner, plant medicine enthusiast, and mom.

Tell us how your offering supports wellness?

Simply moving your body will benefit your mental health, but this form is sensitive to symptoms, creating a comfortable space for self-observation. Movements are slow, bringing bodily awareness that enables familiarity with the feedback system that tells you you’re safe and in control. Trauma creates a feeling of being out of control, while open-ended, invitational cues help to heal the nervous system. 

For example, the heart-, shoulder-, and hip-opening shapes facilitate emotional release while awareness of the heart rate promotes resilience. It’s yoga without any pressure that allows you to find your own rhythm. 

What’s one of your favorite go-to spots for self-care in the Burgh?  

When life gets extra busy, taking a moment to grab something really grounding and nourishing from somewhere like ShadoBeni or Centered Coffee feels good. I also love to browse local shops like Suma Wares and Pavement to keep in touch with other local businesses and take in the carefully curated spaces.

Building Healthy Habits 6-Part Workshop 
Mon, January 30 & February 6, 13, 20
6-7:30 pm
In The Salon 

Welcome 2023 with us as we embark on a 6-week journey focused on building healthy habits that we can stick to. Led by Salon member, holistic health coach, and yoga instructor Becca Jones, each week will focus on a different wellness topic — nutrition, movement, mental health, sleep, and more — to help you create an integrated plan for building the life you want. Register here! 
 

Meditation & Yoga for Mental Health & Trauma Recovery

(Part of our Women Be Well Series)

Thurs, February 2

6-8 pm 

Sneha Yoga & Wellness 

The importance of mental health to our well-being is finally being given its due as anxiety, depression, and stress have skyrocketed in the collective consciousness since 2020.  Let’s explore mental health without the stigma and discover some tools that have been proven to reduce stress and trauma and heighten our well-being. Register here! 

Women’s Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Sun, February 5

1-5 pm

139 Fairfield Rd. Tarentum, Pa 15084

Join us for an ancient purification ceremony based predominantly on Lakota tradition, the inipi, that honors traditions from tribes throughout the Americas. For the ritual, we'll gather in a dark, covered dome-like structure as water is poured on hot stones heated in a fire as our guide sings traditional ceremonial songs to the beat of a hand drum. Afterward, we will replenish our bodies with a nourishing potluck. Register here!

Salon Book Circle

Mon, February 6

7-8 pm

In The Salon 

This month, we’ll be turning the pages of Less Is Lost, the sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic comedy, Less. Join us to talk about critical themes and plot points, listen to others’ thoughts, and share our own impressions and opinions. No worries if you don’t finish the book or haven’t been part of the Book Circle until now — you can jump in anytime. Register here!

Monthly Member Coffee

Tues, February 7

9-10 am

In The Salon 

Start your day with a pick-me-up and conversation. Drop in to The Salon to hang out with (and meet!) fellow Salon members, warm up with complimentary coffee or tea, and generally have a good time. It’s a great way to get a feel for The Salon and connect with local women. Oh, and don’t hesitate to bring a friend along. Open and free to all. Register here!

Developing a Healthy Mindset

(Part of our Women Be Well Series)

Thurs, February 9

6-8 pm

Sneha Yoga & Wellness

Our thoughts and beliefs contribute greatly to our mental health. If you’re prone to anxiety, overthinking, negative self-talk, and other mental stressors, learn more about how to achieve a healthy mindset. One of the most important tools to achieve this is through connection, sharing, and conversation with like-minded friends — exactly the experience that Luna Sol Circle provides.‍‍ Register here!