Wellness Businesses to Support This Holiday Season
The holidays are fast approaching and I have a confession to make: I love the holidays. I love cheesy decorations, constant holiday music, going to parties and generally having that jolly holiday spirit that drives some people up the wall. This holiday I’m making a pledge to shop 90% local for gifts for my family and friends. I thought I would share with you some of my favorite local businesses that are wellness based. Honestly, who doesn’t love a gift certificate for an experience that will leave you feeling relaxed or a product that was handmade right down the street from where you live? The small businesses in this article are all within an hour of Burlington, Vermont. Having been to many of these businesses and experienced their services, I can attest that they are some of the best in their fields and have helped me on my own healing journey. Read on if wellness is on your gift list this year!
Reflexology with MPATH LLC
“Reflexology is a profoundly relaxing, unique touch technique that targets specific points on the feet, hands, and ears to promote wellness, relieve pain, and release tension. The reflex points are based on maps of the entire body that are superimposed on the feet, hands, and ears. For example, pressure applied to a point on the foot that corresponds to the neck has the intention of helping release tension in the neck.While the exact mechanisms that result in enhanced wellness from reflexology are still in the process of being understood, the current leading theory is that reflexology works with the nervous system. By stimulating nerve endings on the feet, hands, and ears, reflexology assists the body in achieving and maintaining a more balanced and healthy state of being.” -MPATH LLC
Melanie Giangreco is a nationally board certified reflexologist that has been practicing since 2012. She has trained with several world renowned reflexologists and also volunteers her time and expertise for the World Reflexology Foundation. She offers wonderful self help classes and teaches people how to give themselves reflexology to reduce stress, stay well and find less pain and more joy in life. As a leader in her field, she is incredibly knowledgeable and has worked miracles on me! I remember having plantar fascitis and within 2 sessions Melanie figured out the cause (my terrible shoes) and remedied the issue. I walked out of her office pain free and incredibly grateful. She also has training analyzing shoe fit and what footwear is best for your feet. Shoes are a big expense and finding the right ones can be a challenge so having a session with Melanie to help you figure out shoe fit can be incredibly helpful. If you are interested in finding out more check out her website here.
Music Therapy with True Sounds Music Therapy
“Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy interventions can address a variety of healthcare & educational goals: promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, promote physical rehabilitation and much more.”-American Music Therapy Association Marcie Hernandez is the owner of True Sound Music Therapy and a board certified music therapist with advanced training in neurologic music therapy. She has worked with a large variety of individuals and in many different environments including schools, hospitals, nursing homes and individual residences. She completed a clinical internship at MJHS Hospice & Palliative Care in Brooklyn, NY, providing music therapy within end-of-life care. Her approach blends knowledge of healing elements of music with a humanistic and psychodynamic therapeutic approach. She offers individual as well as group sessions. Her work has been featured in the local paper 7 Days. You can find the article here and check out her website here. Marcie is also an exceptional singer songwriter whose music is at once deep, dark, beautiful and optimistic. Find her debut album Amanecer on her other website here and pick up a limited edition vinyl press for that music lover in your life.
The Railyard Apothercary
From bulk herbs to tea blends to amazing books and skincare products, you can’t go wrong at The Railyard Apothecary. This incredible all in one retail store, herbal clinic and community center is one of Burlington’s best places to find locally made products for the holidays. They carry chocolate, herbal formulas, seeds, clothing, specialty honey, artwork, bath and body products and so much more. Whenever I want to send a gift box to a friend or family member for a special occasion this is the first place I go. They also have wonderful classes on herbal medicine and events for the holidays. This year they will be having their annual holiday craft and wellness fair on December 4th from 12-5. You can also find their online store here. Gift cards are also available.
Cold Laser Therapy with Be Intentionally Well
DonnaLee Paul and her amazing staff at Be Intentionally Well offer a truly unique wellness experience. Before starting this journey she worked for 25 years in medical education and research, giving her a vast array of knowledge regarding the medical system and various procedures. Her personal health journey is a roller coaster, which she shares on her website, but her passion and curiosity coupled with decades of experience in medical research led her to discover cold laser therapy. As she says, her story has become a catalyst for helping others and she now specializes in cellular health and healing through cold laser therapy and a device called BrainTAP, a powerfully effective mind development tool designed to help you overcome the ill effects of the fight-or-flight response while achieving physical, mental, and emotional balance. The cellular health Cold Laser Detox™ is a neurotoxin release protocol that works on a cellular level in the body. It is a painless, non-prescription approach to addressing chronic pain, chronic illness, and promoting healing. This protocol is essential in our modern world, where we are constantly bombarded by toxins in the form of chemicals, poisons and pollution. I’ve seen incredible results personally and everyone I know who walks out of her office feels better than when they walked in. Her work is collaborative and compassionate and is also wonderful for anyone dealing with a lot of stress in their lives. You can find out more and purchase gift certificates from her website here.
Energy and Sound Healing with Healing Within LLC
Tammy Jordan is the owner of Healing Within LLC and a power house healer. She is trained to provide sound healing using Tibetan bowls, bells, gongs and drums. She also provides massage, aromatherapy and Rain Drop technique during sessions. This makes for one of the most unique healing sessions I have ever experienced. During a session, she places different bowls on and around your body and plays them, allowing the frequencies to release tension and stress while promoting healing. During a session with Tammy, I had terrible sciatica and was struggling to lay comfortably on my back, so she used the bowls up and down my leg and by the end of the session my sciatica was gone. It was truly an incredible experience. I walked away from her studio feeling like I was floating on a cloud. Tammy is also a gifted yoga instructor and incorporates sound healing and aromatherapy in to her classes. She is a certified master Reiki practitioner and is a part of the Vermont Reiki Association. Her ability to blend energy, sound, massage and aromatherapy all in one session is an experience I hope everyone reading gets to have. She is available for retreats as well as group sound baths. You can contact her at 802-363-5068 or email her at tammyjjordanvt@gmail.com.