Founder. path maker. Herbalist.

Peace

My name is Armand.

Being Black, I find it important when stating where I am from, to name that I was born on stolen Dakota land, here on Turtle Island, in the colonial settlement of “Saint Paul, Minnesota”. 

I love where I’m from, for the spirit of the land, and for my people. I also realize that this is just a moment in time, where certain agendas have forced people and nations into the positions and patterns we have today. So I live my life for a changing time, instead of embracing and uplifting the cycles of pain that cannot be sustained. I’m making paths, connecting our present to a better future.

I’m especially grateful for the people who’ve enriched my perspective, who’ve helped me to hone my abilities, and who have supported me as I’ve learned and grown over time.

Since a young age I’ve grown increasingly aware of the systems of oppression which hinder our relationship with the planet and with each other; and I’ve labored to shape my life in dedication to a path of liberation. 

It has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to support my people and myself in eliminating our dependence on our oppressors. Through Path Maker Herbs, I connect people to rare information and traditional ways of healing, so that we may grow beyond the perceived/imposed need for the extractive systems our oppressors utilize.

I was born to a family where healing practices were commonplace. My mother is a second generation master massage therapist, who also creates healing environments through her work as a gardener and interior designer. My father, who is also a highly skilled massage therapist, provides another crucial aspect of holistic healing, through his work teaching/advising on estate planning and financial literacy. Holistic Health involves one’s financial/material wellbeing, as well as the legacies we leave for our children.

I’ve come to know many different components required for one’s holistic health and wellbeing over time. Since a youth, I’ve been passionate about martial arts, and have studied various styles, most passionately I have maintained a practice within Chen Style Tai Chi since 2008. Tai Chi bridges the connections between Mind Body and Soul, through a vast system of practices, including standing meditations, complex martial forms, freestyle and partnered sequences, weapons training, breath-work and more.

Since a child, I have had the privilege and the sacred responsibility of healing myself, and of studying healing methods and cultural health systems from around the world. 

Combining information on the body, food, herbs, movement, breathing exercises, and much more… I’ve been able to cultivate a well rounded understanding of how to address different health goals and conditions. My role as a Path Maker is to have traveled ahead, and to have returned to describe the ways forward to my people. I fulfill my role in part, through Path Maker Herbs.

I see a future where people are free, in good health, and in right relationship with the planet and each other. My offerings are drawn from this vision.

Let me show you all that I have found.