The Healing Power of the Ocean and Its Waves: Navigating Trauma - How Surf (Therapy) Reshapes the Mind
Nature of Surf Women and Kassia Meador joined forces to bring together experts and professionals and deep-dive into therapeutic and scientific insights combined with real-life stories around the important topic of injuries and Fears and the Healing Power of the Ocean.
Panelists: Kassia Meador, surfer, sound healer, and founder of Kassia +Surf, Michelle Cortrite, associate clinical social worker and mental health therapist, Jason Kutch, professor and researcher, USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and Ivana Bajic, multimedia producer and author of the book Nature of Surf Women.
Special Guests: SurfriderLA and Dreamteam
Program
3:00 - 3:30 pm
Our immersive exhibition offers adventure and reconnection with nature. It enhances body positivity and emotional healing while evoking social and environmental engagement.
3:30- 4:30 pm
Panel: Join us for meaningful discussions with fellow attendees, delving into the impact of injuries and life traumas and the transformative influence of the ocean
4:30- 5:00 pm
Refreshments, mingling, sharing, having fun!
Join us on this unique event specially curated for our vibrant surf community!
ABOUT PANELISTS
Kassia Meador
Celebrated for her fluid style and exquisite nose rides, she stands as a pioneer for women’s longboarding and surf ethos. In 2011, Kassia ventured into the realm of vibrational medicine, harnessing the profound healing capabilities of sound waves. Bolstering her expertise, she acquired certifications in Integrative Craniosacral Unwinding and RPP Polarity Therapy. Kassia specializes in Surf and sound Retreats that harness the therapeutic power of ocean waves, meditation, mindfulness, and vibrational therapy. She is the founder of the brand KASSIA+SURF.
Jason J. Kutch
Jason J. Kutch, PhD, is an associate professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. He is the director of the Applied Movement & Pain Laboratory (AMPL) at USC. Dr. Kutch received his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University in 2001, and his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Michigan in 2008. Dr. Kutch studies how brain dysfunction contributes to chronic overlapping pain conditions. His current research is inspired by surfing and aims to create immersive physical activity and virtual reality approaches for improving chronic pain treatment.
Michelle Cortrite
Michelle is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and mental health therapist from Santa Monica, CA. She has worked with teens and young adults in the mental health and social welfare field for 8+ years. For over three years, she has facilitated surf therapy groups with Groundswell Community Project and Waves of Recovery and provided individual surf therapy sessions. In her free time, Michelle is an open-water swimmer, surfer, and lover of all things ocean. She passionately believes in water's ability to heal and connect us.
Ivana Bajic
Los Angeles-based multimedia producer specialized in developing projects that merge art and technology. Her work ranges from artificial intelligence startups to eminent artists, including Marina Abramovic and Jeff Koons. Her clients include the British Society of Cinematographers and Warner Bros. Studios. Author and producer of the interactive book Nature of Surf Women. She is currently working on a documentary film about Surf Therapy.
We look forward to welcoming you to this transformative event.