Who We Are

Hello there! We are Elizabeth & Kwang Mae Ocheltree-Cho, and we are the founders of the Woven Roots Collective, an interdisciplinary community that fosters strength in connection to self, others, and the planet. 

Kwang Mae’s childhood experiences of wandering barefoot through the forests along the Indian River initiated her passion for connecting people with nature. Her passion eventually led her to obtain a Masters Degree in Ecopsychology and to study herbalism, both which have shaped and refined her ideas and practices for deepening connections with the beyond-human world. 

While Elizabeth shares the love for nature, she experienced just how profoundly powerful connection can be through yoga. For her, the shape-shifting, attention-focusing, and experimental practices available through yoga cultivated a connection between mind and body that has been transformational. Now, as a somatic psychotherapist, she integrates embodiment–the dynamic and intentional relationship of mind and body– into her work, helping others feel more alive and connected. 

Together, we have explored the intersection between ecopsychology and somatic psychotherapy. Our conversations revealed a troubling parallel between society's objectification of bodies and Earth. Both are often seen as resources to exploit, rather than living entities deserving care. We observed that the sense of separation from one reinforces the other. But we believe the opposite can also be true: connecting with nature supports connection to one’s embodied self, and embodying one’s self opens up the possibility of experiencing a deeper connection with the Earth. 

This integrative perspective forms the heart of the Woven Roots Collective. We aim to weave a community based in restoring connection between people and planet, where the profound interplay between body and Earth becomes a source of healing and transformation for all.

And we’ll start here and now, by offering an apothecary featuring regionally grown herbs and crafted herbal products, along with educational workshops to share the wisdom of herbalism as a self-care and earth-care practice. While embodiment will be incorporated into our workshops and events, we will also offer more exclusively embodied workshops. Additionally, we'll host a continuously expanding array of events to promote community and foster connection.  Check out our calendar to see our upcoming market appearances and workshop schedule.

Let’s see what happens when we connect more deeply with ourselves, each other, and this planet we all call home.