- September 12, 2024
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Lakewood Ranch is home to many holistic healers who rejuvenate mind, body and spirit with a variety of practices. Whether it’s acupuncture, Reiki, sound healing, salt therapy, or Gyrotonics, you’ll find a healing path that’s right for you. We spoke with five dedicated practitioners who have committed their lives to the well-being of others. Each was happy to share her passion for her path.
Zooey “Zen” Seraphine is a lifelong musician; her work as a sound therapy practitioner began in 2017. This engagement was inspired by her own sonic journey and her experience in therapeutic outreach to domestic violence survivors. Seraphine now offers sound alchemy classes at the Yoga Barre in Lakewood Ranch and throughout the Sarasota-Manatee region.
Sound therapy combines ambient sounds and musical compositions to promote relaxation, enhance meditation, encourage self-discovery and clear energetic and emotional blocks. It also enhances focus, creativity and mindfulness. “Music, sound and guided imagery are a powerful combination,” Seraphine says. “It can cross cultural barriers and open up silenced voices.”
According to Seraphine, sonic healing has both ancient roots and modern pioneers. “The practices are a mix of old and new,” she says. “Crystal singing bowls actually emerged from Silicon Valley technology. Music itself has healing and calming properties — that’s been known for millennia. Some practitioners have mystical interpretations. I don’t put them down, but I’m more evidence-based.”
Sonic modalities can reduce anxiety and depression and increase self-acceptance. They also promote deep relaxation and self-healing. Unexpected pain relief is often the result. “Sound therapy has profound results in the treatment of trauma,” says Seraphine. “Outside of trauma-informed treatment, daily sonic practice promotes wellness and peace of mind. I encourage people to create a sacred time for self-connection and compassion.”
If You Go: ZenSeraphine.com
Amanda Carter is a board-certified acupuncture physician, a doctor of Chinese medicine, and the owner and founder of Lakewood Ranch Acupuncture & Wellness. The journey that led Carter to study Chinese medicine began when she was 25, when she found herself suffering from chronic pain. She was ultimately diagnosed with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety and a sleep disorder. Carter ended up on six different medications, which eventually lost their effectiveness, leading to a decline in her health. Desperate, she weaned off the drugs with her doctor’s help and immersed herself in studying holistic nutrition. Changing her diet sparked her passion for learning about natural health. Carter’s passion for natural health had been ignited — and it burns brightly to this day. Her own health struggles gave her profound empathy for her patients.
Acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in which needles are inserted into points on the body to promote healing. This balances the body’s flow of energy, known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). Acupuncture works to relieve pain, reduce stress and treat illness by stimulating the body’s natural healing response.
Carter explains that acupuncture goes to the root causes of health issues — imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. “For example, if the kidney yin is deficient, that may result in symptoms like low back pain, knee pain and night sweats,” she says. “By restoring balance in the body, acupuncture helps the body heal itself.”
Along with acupuncture, Carter also offers such TCM practices as Chinese herbs, nutraceuticals and homeopathic injections. She and her colleagues use these to help their patients take charge of their health. Carter stresses that TCM is a time-tested medical system that’s not connected to any religious worldview. “It works in synch with Western medicine,” she says. “That’s especially vital in chronic care. TCM is a compassionate approach — but it’s in harmony with evidence-based treatment.”
If You Go: 11061 Gatewood Drive, Unit 103, Lakewood Ranch; 941-518-6237; AcupunctureSRQ.com.
Myra Maldonado was inspired to open the Salt Cave & Spa when her mother and mother-in-law were both enduring chemotherapy treatments. For Maldonado’s mother, the treatment felt worse than the disease. When her mother stopped chemotherapy, Maldonado sought out holistic alternatives and discovered salt therapy. After finding out about its benefits, she decided to create a safe space where her mother could relax and find relief. Sadly, Maldonado’s mother died before that could happen. She launched Salt Cave & Spa in her mother’s honor.
Salt therapy (also known as halotherapy) involves inhaling micro-particles of pharmaceutical-grade dry salt that’s been dispersed into a controlled environment. “The salt is super absorbent, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory,” Maldonado explains. “It’s a trifecta of healing properties.”
Instead of the typical one-person salt booths, Maldonado opted for an authentic salt cave environment. In her space, guests are surrounded by pink Himalayan salt bricks, calming music and a simulated starry night. Sessions last 45 minutes in the communal eight-person cave or the more intimate two-to four-person cave. (Your canine companion can also join you for a healing session in the private salt room.) Maldonado also offers ionic footbaths, infrared therapies and classes in sonic healing.
“Salt therapy has a vast range of benefits,” Maldonado says. “It’s a powerful treatment for respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis and sinus problems.” She adds that it also alleviates skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, and psoriasis, while also providing relief for anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and other mental health issues.
If You Go: 5200 Paylor Lane, Sarasota; 941-290-5113; TheSaltCavesLWR.com.
Gyrotonic Sunara is the brainchild of Lauren Sham and Laurel Pies. Sham is a classically trained dancer with a passion for kinesiology and anatomy. She was drawn to Gyrotonic training after experiencing a life-changing Gyrotonic session. Sham came away with a vastly expanded range of motion. She realized it could unlock the limitless potential of human movement in others as well.
The Gyrotonic method uses specialized equipment to guide the body through circular, spiraling and fluid movements. This exercise regime enhances strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. It also promotes freedom of movement and a greater sense of well-being.
According to Sham, Gyrotonics integrates the core principles of yoga, dance, gymnastics, and tai chi. “The focus is spinal mobility and joint articulation,” she adds. “This holistic approach promotes core stability, improved posture and overall body awareness.”
“Gyrotonics benefits the systems of the human body at every level,” says Sham. “It’s a dynamic system that links your breath to the movement cycles. As a result, you feel very connected with the world around you, and also what’s going on inside your body. Regular practice can reduce pain, prevent injuries and increase physical vitality. As a comprehensive, low-impact workout, it’s ideal.” Sham notes that she’s seen the dramatic benefits of Gyrotonic practice in people suffering from arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis and problems with balance.
“Gyrotonics is really for everybody,” Sham says. “That’s true, regardless of your age or current state of health.” She adds that, whatever shape you’re in, vibrant health is a universal human birthright. “As children, we naturally play, run, jump, crawl, walk on our hands and do silly things with our bodies. Most adults grow out of that. Gyrotonics puts you back in touch with your body’s full potential.”
If You Go: 8209 Natures Way, Unit 203, Lakewood Ranch; 941-210-4535; GyrotonicSunara.com.
Janette Brown is the owner and founder of Yoga Barre Studio. Her haven of health offers workout space and qualified instructors in a range of practices. Brown herself teaches classes in both yoga and Reiki. She discovered that discipline during a yoga teacher training session. Brown liked the results so much, she became a Reiki Master. Today, she’s sharing her hands-on knowledge with her students.
Reiki is a form of energy healing that emerged in Japan. This practice uses the power of touch to manage the flow of life-force energy in the human body. (A skilled practitioner can transfer their own life force energy to where it’s needed.) The Reiki master can either touch the recipient directly, or place their hands just above their skin. The goal is to balance energy, reduce stress, and promote relaxation and healing.
Brown notes that her clients often experience pain relief, stress reduction and mental clarity. “Metaphorically, it’s like a dam bursting,” she says. “Buried experiences come up. You’ll become aware of emotional baggage that you need to let go. And you’ll feel safe to do that. Reiki’s like a big warm hug dialed up to 11. You’re totally relaxed, totally in touch with yourself and totally free to be your real self.”
“Everyone has the capacity to share love and positive energy,” Brown says. “Reiki’s about both giving and receiving. You’re bathed in an all-accepting love and feel safe to drop your defenses. Your own life force is what you receive. It bubbles up inside you, and you naturally want to pay it forward. You learn to protect and manage your own energy and pass it on to those who need it.”
If You Go: 4124 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch; 941-210-4535; LWRYogaBarre.com.
