About Me
Hi there! I’m Stephanie, and welcome to my website—the first portal into my deeper learning space. If you discovered me through Instagram, you probably know that I’m passionate about writing on energy, the five elements and the organs, and you may have already glimpsed photos of my home on Vancouver Island . If you’re curious to more about me, I’d love to share some fun facts about who I am as a person and a teacher!
First off, many folks often ask about my last name and its pronunciation. My surname, 'Nosco,' is pronounced exactly as it looks: "Nos-co." It’s derived from the Latin word for the Greek term "gnosis," which means "knowledge of mastery." A fun tidbit: I officially changed my surname to Nosco in 2017 after a major life transition. It wasn’t until after I chose the name, where I learned the etymology and meaning behind the word. I now realize how much it suites my path, and what I do.
I am Canadian! I was born in Calgary Alberta, and now reside by the sea on Vancouver Island, on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. I live in a rural area surrounded by ocean and temperate rainforest. I live here with my Husband, Ben, and my Ragdoll cat, Kirby. I love drinking tea, walking in the forest and cooking delicious vegan food!
For you astrology nerds: I am a super scorpio! (with my Sun in the 8th house and Pluto conjunct the Sun), I am drawn to the depths of the human experience…including what is painful, messy and hard to bear. While my instagram page is light and bubbly, I am actually a very deep person. I love poetry, the mystery, and psychological transformation.
My Story, My Teachers, My Inspiration
I came to Qigong and Chinese medicine through yoga. I started practicing yoga at 15 and was guided to take a first-year religious studies class during my first year of university. I immediately fell in love with the spiritual traditions of the East and decided to major in religious studies. I was introduced to Taoism and Buddhism through my academic studies, which led me to delve deeper into yoga in India. It was in India that I discovered yin yoga.
After experiencing yin yoga during my travels and studies, my teacher, Sarah Powers, blended Chinese medicine theory with yin yoga, and I was compelled to learn more! I began studying Qigong wherever I could while simultaneously being deeply inspired by the Buddha Dharma, leading me to practice meditation during long silent retreats. I later went back to school and got degrees in education, and counselling, which has shaped the way I create learning spaces, and safe psychological spaces for transformation.
As a white yoga and Qigong teacher, I am acutely aware of the privilege I hold in learning from and sharing knowledge of cultures that are not my own. I am deeply grateful for the wisdom generously imparted to me by my teachers—Lorie Eve Dechar, Benjamin Fox, Ken Cohen, Wendy Lang, Master Helen Laing, Thanissara, Kirrisaro, and Sarah Powers, to name just a few—as well as by their teachers before them.
In addition to Chinese medicine, I draw daily inspiration from the poetry of David Whyte, Wendell Berry, and Mary Oliver, and the work of Michael Meade, Sharon Blackie, Toko-pa Turner, and eco-psychologist, Bill Plotkin. Most recently, and perhaps most importantly, my principal teachers have been the cedar trees, ravens, and the deep moss that I converse with in the forest behind my house. The ocean has taught me more about surrender than any teacher, and the river has taught be how to bend, and be flexible in the way I hold myself. The trees teach me each day about determination, growth and generosity. In a world with so much confusion, I constantly draw upon the wisdom and forces of nature, as I believe they were and are the original teachers of the masters.
What I do: My Tao
My gift has always been in teaching. I love to learn, guide, and share knowledge. From a young age, I found myself teaching my stuffed animals and my younger brother, who was usually less than enthusiastic about my lectures. I began teaching yoga at 19, and this experience has since evolved into a blend of psychotherapy, writing, and guiding body-based practices such as Qigong and guided meditations.
I believe that a significant part of my purpose (or Tao) in this life is to help individuals discover their deeper purpose through the inspiration they derive from the practices I offer. It’s not merely about technique or specific methods; rather, it’s the experience, inspiration, and felt sense that lead you to a deeper understanding of who you are and the gifts you are meant to share. Qigong is just one part of that journey!
Practically, I teach online courses, classes, teacher training, and retreats internationally. For some retreats, I prefer to lead in silence due to my background in the Buddha Dharma and the emphasis placed on the nobility of silence. I also work with a select number of individuals in one-on-one online sessions, as I find great purpose and connection in this work.
I am also the author of “Follow Your Tao”, which I wrote for the lay person as an entry point to understanding Chinese medicine. I have a knack at explaining complicated subjucts and explaining them in a way that makes sense. This was my hope for this book that was published in 2024 by Hachette Uk.
I don ’t claim to be a master in the subjects I share; instead, I consider myself an enthusiastic lifelong learner. Through this platform, in whatever capacity we meet—whether through Instagram, my learning network, my book, a teacher training, a retreat, or a 1:1 session—I hope we can learn and grow together, utilizing the internet to remember and reconnect. My desire is that the offerings here will inspire and empower your health and healing on the levels of body, mind, and spirit.