Tend
Technicians
Hi, I’m Enid.
I was named after a town in Oklahoma but grew up on an Illinois farm. I’m really into slow food, low waste living, and keeping things down to earth. When I’m not dancing you can find me at the farmers’ market or sitting in the shade at the beach NOT swimming. I consider myself easy to chat with (I love a dinner party) but prefer to get my hair cut in silence. I’m a mother and a teacher and one of six siblings and that’s enough noise in my life right now. TEND is really special to me because it brings together my years of studying touch therapy and a lifetime of dancing. We might be a good fit if you appreciate firm, confident touch and look to art as an escape from the pressures and stress of the outside world. You know, leave it at the door and step into this special space with me.
Hi! I am Chih-Hsien Lin, I am an immigrant and have used the name Joan (pronounced JoAn) previously. I identify as Taiwanese, Asian, mom, daughter, and sister, but also a mover, psychotherapist, and human. I appreciate spontaneity, authenticity, and dynamic care processes, where I believe the embodied learning and love can evolve. Movement and dance are a sacred place for me, and are what I believe to be the origin and process of being. In addition to embodiment, I love nature, going for walks, reading, travel, food, good tv movies/anime, learning new languages, psychology, philosophy, music, and indulging in nostalgia.
Through Tend, I’d like to serve a diverse population because I value cross-cultural experiences and would like to meet the humanity and humility in your unique skin. But particularly, I invite those who can acknowledge and value curiosity, hold a non-judgmental and caring attitude toward the space, time, and relationship that we will be sharing and building together. If that’s you, then come join me! I like to think that I am here to explore with you the security, connection, and dignity of human relations; we each hold certain power and vulnerability when we will be in close proximity and in physical touch. I aim to not exploit it and provide mindful support toward such power differential, as much as I hope you will do so. Politics are not in my language most of the time, so that’s something I encourage you to leave outside the door. I am happy to converse with you in Mandarin if that is the language you prefer to speak.
Hi, I’m Gina (she/her), a 37-year-old, queer, white-bodied pet mommy to Frankie (cat) and Scooter (dog), devoted partner, hard core friend, logic and word puzzle enthusiast, movement geek, triathlete-in-training, fan of British mystery shows and time outside biking, swimming, and kayaking.
So yeah, Gina, and I do dancing (duh) as a way to express but also as a means of listening to/relating to my physical self – kind of a big thing for me. I also work as an Embodiment Coach, helping other folx learn to listen and respond to their bodies, and I teach dance in higher-ed and professional. So, if you’re curious about your body, want to feel things, ask questions, understand, have vicarious or direct experience with sensations, we’ll probably have a great time together.
We also might be a good fit if you…
-Are interested in having an experience where I tend your body and you witness my body without any discussion about your size or appearance, or mine for that matter. I hold tight to the tenets of body positivity/neutrality and have no interest in objectifying you or experiencing that discomfort myself.
-Appreciate a casual, warm, and caring tone in your experience. I can be chatting and inquisitive and am also happy to share about myself and answer questions verbally throughout the entire process/performance.
-Like to go deep: physically, emotionally, intellectually…small talk is a part of this vibe but it’s not my strong suit so if you’re similarly inclined, we might be a strong match.
-Have some shit going on…trauma, big feelings, body discomfort or pain, racialized discomfort. These experiences are all completely normal but can make us feel extra vulnerable, especially in a unique situation like this one. I have practice and training in holding heavy things gently and, since so much of the human experience involves hard stuff, I want you to be welcome to bring in as much of yourself as you feel comfortable with.
-Like to laugh and not take it all so seriously.
I’m drawn to Tend because I believe in blowing up preconceived ideas about western concert dance performance: who it’s for, how much it costs, where it’s held, what bodies get to participate, etc. I am curious about how we can lean into physical understanding and movement to connect with one another and ourselves. I look forward to crafting a performance experience that is responsive to your needs and our interaction.
Hi hello! I’m Helen (they/she), born in Chicago by South Korean immigrant parents. My name means light. I was named after a flower shop. I am 46, in my 6th year of perimenopause, and growing into my second childhood.
I have been teaching yoga, meditation, and mindfulness since 2007 and have been practicing since 1999. I study plant medicine and Reiki. Much of my practice looks at the cycles of life and death, sitting with grief, trying to make friends with anger, and discovering play while honoring my inner child. I believe in the healing power of movement, touch, music and nature. I believe the weather to be a great and beautiful teacher for us. Winter and summer support each other. Spring and Fall teach us about transitions and balance. Light and darkness are intertwined.
When you work with me at Tend, you are welcome to come as you are. I would love to work with people who identify as BIPOC, Queer, Trans, Non-binary, Genderfluid, and/or Femme. You are invited to bring as much or as little as you are comfortable with. We can talk as much or as little as you like. I’m an introvert with some extrovert tendencies. I can be silly and serious. I enjoy the whimsical, quirky, and sometimes a little strange. Think Edward Gorey meets Rilakkuma!
Resting, acts of self care, or taking a day off can often elicit feelings of shame or guilt. We are told we should be continually producing, always staying busy. Everyone deserves rest. You deserve rest. Tend offers permission to lean into yourself, close your eyes, get cozy, and relax.
I look forward to working with you and learning about you.
Hi, I’m Jonathan. I’m a queer and gender-queer white-bodied person, comfortable with being in a male body since birth, not so much with the gender expectations of maleness in our world. I have German Catholic and Swiss Anabaptist roots and was baptized twice (neither one took). I’ve been with Julia (my partner in all things) 18 years, in Chicago 19, and with Khecari 22. I’m parent to an intrepid five-year-old, love literature and the life of language, and cooking. You can find me sanding and oiling wood when I’m stressed out.
I have an early history of being socially insecure and have enjoyed in these latter years connecting more with others as I find comfort in company and conversation, from the casual to the weighty. I’m a rather slow thinker and talker and more an admirer of witty repartee than a participant, though I’m pretty good at coming up with bon mots long after they’ve lost relevance. I loved chatting over the counter back in my barista days, but tend towards silence (and on occasion towards sleep) when getting a massage.
I worked some years as a licensed massage therapist, and later was certified as a Practitioner of Body-Mind Centering. This somatic approach is a lot about experiencing directly those aspects of being a body which we often don’t notice, or study in an objectively anatomical way. I love to think about and connect with all the many (and frequently overshadowed) aspects of our beings – the mind of the cells, different fluid quality in movements, the voice of the endocrine system.
I have a stronger connection with gravity than levity. I tend towards deep, slow, sensitive touch. But I’m happy to take direction and meet you where you’re at. I embrace the idea of permeable membrane, and like best to meet people in a space that is boundaried and available, grounded and empathetic, vulnerable and strong, authentic to self and resonant with others.
To find scheduled events visit our calendar.
