Our Story
See our recent feature in VOX media’s mini documentary, in partnership with Fitbit and narrated by Academy Award winning director Jimmy Chin: “The State of Wellness.”
Jacqueline and Sean Toomey are, as this Denver news story says, “an unlikely pair.” Sean is a Denver Firefighter, and Jacqueline… a yoga teacher. Together, they founded an international initiative: a mission to bring mind-body wellness across the globe, seeking to serve those who serve others in the face of crisis. See our wellness initiative First Responder Sleep Recovery for first responders here.
The meaning of “AXS Wellness” is to provide access to wellness strategies to individuals or groups who may not otherwise experience it. We are dedicated to up-leveling the health and wellness of those who face chronic stress, sleep issues and trauma. We are honored to teach restorative and preventative wellness programs with the intention to share high impact, transformative methods for healing and self-regulation. We have taught 5000+ first responders across Northern Continental America, and countless SCI / TBI survivors. Our methods are firmly rooted in evidence based practices, from ancient yogic teachings to modern neuroscience as well as from personal experience. Through overcoming our own life experiences which include two near death experiences for Jacqueline, and for Sean losing his first senior guy on the job to suicide, we recognize how precious and fleeting life is…and how important natural healing modalities are for living a full and healthy life to it’s fullest! It is always and only from the heart that we teach and share these revolutionary, life-changing practices.
We recently started a non-profit organization that provides wellness experiences for first responders and we were honored to host our first “give back” event in partnership with Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachuesetts August, 2023. Below are some trainings in Santa Cruz California, Stockbridge Massachusetts, Southern Colorado, and Boise Idaho.
Sean & Jacqueline Toomey at a Firefighter Gala, Missouri 2019 after presenting as keynote speakers
Our Personal Bios
JACQUELINE TOOMEY
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My firefighter husband's health, and the health and wellness of the brothers and sisters of the fire service whom he serves alongside, quickly came to the forefront of my everyday mission when we first met years ago. Sadly, my husband lost his senior partner on the job to suicide and this deeply impacted both of us- simultaneously motivating us to care for the psychological and physiological wellbeing of those in the fire service. With almost two decades of experience in the field of health and wellness, and 1,500 hours of Internationally Recognized Yoga Alliance Certifications, I have dedicated my expertise towards my passion for first responder mental restoration and physical wellness. I specialize in sleep-deprivation, stress and trauma relief therapeutics and founded the transformative First Responder Sleep Recovery Program™ .I am sincerely honored to present at conferences, peer support groups, and departments across the United States and Canada. You can find my written work as a contributing author to the online publications: Crackyl, and FireEngineering.com. I’m currently writing my first book!
When I’m not teaching firefighter wellness, you can find me in nature, rescuing animals, creating healthy plant-based food and raw juice recipes or dancing on the Latin Dance social dance floor! My latest passion has been learning a Brazilian dance that comes from Lambada called Brazilian Zouk!
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PROFESSIONAL & EDUCATIONAL:
Addicted to Awake, Fire Engineering Magazine
Sleepless Heart of the Fire Service, Fire Engineering Magazine
3 Reasons Sleep Loss May Trigger Suicide, Fire Engineering
Breaking the Stigma of CBD in the Fire Service, Crackyl Magazineion
PERSONAL & FICTIONAL:
“The Trafficking & Abuse of Chantou: A Story of Racial Injustice, “ Elephant Journal (This is a powerful story on healing intergenerational trauma & human trafficking)
Living Off -Grid: E-Cycle for Mother Earth!, Elephant Journal
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I offer a heartfelt thank you to my students who have inspired me through their vulnerability, authenticity and resilience. My students have become my teachers, just as much as those I have formally and informally studied with: Gurudev Amrit Desai, Dr. Richard Miller, Shiva Rea, Uma Dinsmore Tuli, Dr. Kamini Desai, Jeremy Wolf, Kristine Whittle, Desi & Micah Springer, John Friend, Rodney Yee, my first yoga teacher (who glowed with a radiance I had never seen before) Megan and many more, including my partner Sean.
To the countless adaptive yoga students at Craig Hospital performing asana from a wheelchair with such reslience- you inspire me. To the 5,000 firefighters I’ve been honored to teach since 2016, I’m in awe of you, humbled and honored to work with each of you.
RYS - Samadhi Yoga Sangha Advanced Teacher Training 300 hrs - 2023
RYS - Samadhi Yoga Sangha Sound Healing Facilitator Training (with sound by Danielle) 30 hrs - 2023
RYS - iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher Level 2 Training 32 hrs - 2023
RYS - iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 30 hrs - 2021
RYS - Bindu Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 30 hrs - 2021
RYS - Advanced Amrit Method Yoga Nidra Teacher Training 50 hrs - 2021
RYS - Amrit Yoga Nidra Teacher Training (Amrit Yoga Institute - In Person) 100 hrs - 2020
RYS - Yoga Nidra Teacher Training (Kripalu) 39 hrs - 2019
RYS - Advanced Vinyasa Teacher Training 80 hrs - 2015
RYS - Yoga Nidra Teacher Training (Jeremy Wolf) 45 hrs - 2014
RYS - 7 Week Chakra Series (Kristine Whittle) - 2011
RYS - 30 hr Mantra Meditation Retreat - 2010
RYS - 200hr Vinyasa Teacher Training - 2009 /2010
Internship - Evergreen Bikram Yoga 2004 / 2005
Other education:
Regis University BA (Communication & Peace & Justice Studies, Minor, Spanish - 2008
Metro State - Masters Level Coursework (Education) 2015
Holistic Nutrition Studies Courses, Nutrition Therapy Institute 2014
SEAN TOOMEY
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I am a second-generation firefighter proudly serving the Denver Fire Department in Colorado and a volunteer as the Operations Captain for Clear Creek County Fire. Since joining the fire service 11 years ago I have utilized my academic degrees in Fire and Emergency Service Administration and English Education to bridge a commitment between the craft I love and educational arenas applied within the fire service. In addition to my work as a firefighter, I have instructed fire science for the Community College of Aurora, Colorado FireWomen, and the Annual Colorado Firefighters Conference. I am a contributing author to the online publication Station Pride. I am honored to co-teach the First Responder Sleep Recovery Program™ alongside my wife Jacqueline in our joint effort to support the health and wellness of those in the fire, police and emergency services. It has been a pleasure to become a certified Trauma Informed Yoga Nidra instructor to bring this gift of healing, nourishing rest to the world!