The Sage Practice empowers you to turn your pain into healing

  • The Structural Specialist

    “Lara is a powerful voice in the field of mindbody medicine” (Curable)

    “Lara is a trailblazer — and one of the most thoughtful and courageous voices in the field” (Anna Holtzman).

    Lara’s SAGE Method is designed expressly for those with mixed structural / neuroplastic symptoms.

    "I got my life back, only better." You can too.

  • Sage Groups

    Get support, find community, & learn empowering skills for creating a full life, regardless of symptoms — take your power back.


    10 weeks, capped at 7 people.


    Fall 2026: 10 Tuesdays Sept 29-Dec 1 2-3:15pm ET
    (1 spot left: email now)

  • 1-1 Coaching

    Self schedule an appointment at your own convenience.

    Ongoing coaching opening coming up in October 2026: email if interested.

  • Practitioner Training

    Lara teaches her SAGE Method to practitioners whose clients live with mixed structural/neuroplastic symptoms.

    The pilot Sage practitioner consultation group begins in January 2027.

    Self-schedule a 1-1 consultation anytime.

  • Sage Online Course

    Empower yourself to live life again even when symptoms are present (premium options include Lara’s signature somatic tracking series & personal support).

  • Podcasts, Talks, Recordings

    Podcast Interviews‍ ‍(Like Mind, Like Body; How to Trust Yourself; Hope for Healing; TMS Roundtable; Beyond the Pain Cycle summit; and more.)

    Talks (15+ talks on Curable)

    Recordings (Somatic tracking & guided practices

  • Free Resources Library

    Take advantage of an ever-expanding list of educational videos, somatic trackings, podcasts, research, and more.

  • Selected Quote

    "Hope is the boldest act of imagination I know."

    — Edith Eva Eger

The Sage Foundations of MindBody Empowerment

  • Self Trust: Cultivate inner safety

  • Agency: Step into your power

  • Growth: Embrace transformation

  • Engagement: Reclaim your life

“Lara Birk’s journey through years of chronic pain has led her to become a powerful voice in the field of mindbody medicine, particularly for those living with both structural and neuroplastic issues.”

— Curable Health

Click image above to hear Christie & Lara’s conversation on Like Mind Like Body.

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

  • Get your own Recordings — 20+ somatic trackings on specific themes, including Self trust, Agency, Growth, and Engagement

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing earrings and a gray shirt with a decorative white lace scarf, smiling in front of a blurred bookshelf background.

Lara Birk, PhD, Founder, The Sage Practice, LLC
MindBody Empowerment Coach & Teacher
Expert at Curable Health

Empowerment is Healing.

I was 16 years old playing soccer one day when an exceptionally rare medical condition became acute in my leg. Because ER doctors did not believe me, I lost critical hours between onset and emergency treatment. I nearly lost my leg. Once I was out of a wheelchair and onto crutches, "the good leg" went acute too. 17 major surgeries later, I still live with often disabling pain, remain structurally impaired, and have been on crutches at least 15 years of my life.

It has not been easy, and yet... I have never been happier than I am today.

It's been a long, bewildering path from helpless patient to empowered human. Discovering Curable and pain neuroscience was my initiation into the hopeful world of mindbody medicine. I even left a career I loved (sociology professor) to do this work. That’s how fervently I believe it can help you too, no matter your situation.

The Sage Practice teaches you how to develop self trust, agency, growth, and engagement, empowering you to take your power back and make the most of your one wild and precious life.

The fact that you’re here right now tells me you already have the courage & curiosity it takes. So why not benefit from what I’ve learned the hard way:

For me, it’s not about “the way out” but the way in.
Make pain your portal into your deepest self
so you can live your most vibrant life.

“It feels like Lara is a mirror to my highest self that even I hadn’t seen.
She is truly gifted."
— Rebecca Bauder

“I am so grateful for the time I spent with Lara — it changed my life.
In my healing journey, Lara has been my shining star.”
— Jascha Sonis"

“Lara has been integral to my healing process, guiding me to learn, grow,
and most of all, live a full & rich life. Lara is a true gift to the world.”
— Lisa Gold

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott