My name Alvina means many things. It comes from the Latin language meaning “Elf Friend”.

Also “White Lotus Flower”

In India an alvina is a lute, like a guitar.

Alvina can mean “of the vine” like grapes that make fine wine.

I was named after my grandmother since I was the firstborn of an only child Italian American-Heritage man.

That exotic, Latin name wasn’t an easy one to have growing up in rural Connecticut. My mother who was half Italian American and half Canadian French wanted to name me “Rebecca (of Sunnybrook Farm) or “Anastasia”.

I also inherited my grandmother’s nickname which I no longer used once I left home for my second year of college at 17. (I went to UConn Waterbury, CT Branch for 1 yr then to The College of New Rochelle, NY until graduating in 1980 with a Communications Major – mostly photography)

I like that the name Alvina has a certain flavor or essence that relates to lightness, nature, music, wine, beauty, friendship.

My father looked at me once and he said, “You are an Alvina!”

Regarding a flower I love gardening — cultivation– and it has helped me retain my sanity in this changing world. Luckily I have a garden that I can tinker in as much as I like! You might be familiar with the work of Eliot Cowan — Plant Spirit Medicine — and so you know that plants are alight with “fairies” and energy healing which is why we look to it in our medicines and Flower Essences (FES) which help to balance our field.

I suit the name.

My life work has been infused with the energy of healing myself and others – Light comes through me! And, I use music in my work, I make my own oils and I provide a beautiful environment, the soul-affirming Insight Acupressure, consider everyone in the highest personal regard (as Dr Fritz Smith conveyed to me through our Zero Balancing work) and I cultivate lasting connections.

Gratitude to my family, my teachers and to myself!!!

Insight Acupressure.org