Calm the mind and transform your life with Branches of Wellness
By Patricia Nugent
It’s said that true healing comes from within.
Anyone looking for a little guidance along their journey of self-discovery through self-care will find it at Branches of Wellness in Painesville.
Celebrating 13 years of offering yoga for all ages and stages of life, and a variety of healing arts, from massage and meditation to energy work, people will find a zen-like space here that unites body, mind and spirit.
“Calming the mind can have magical and transformative effects in your life,” says Founder Erin Hill.
Overcoming a Dire Diagnosis
Erin’s journey to founding Branches of Wellness is one of research and recovery. Diagnosed with lupus at 16, she had already seen how the autoimmune disease affected several of her older cousins.
“I was an active teen, as my mother owns Fairport Dance Academy,” she recalls. “After following the route the doctors wanted me to take and being medicated for a few years and still having symptoms, when I was in college I devoted myself to research. I found out stress was a component, and that diet and lifestyle could also have an impact. I went back to square one and found ways to heal myself.”
She added yoga, reiki, mindfulness and dietary changes to her life and by the time Erin was out of college, and at age 23 she had gone into remission.
“I wanted to share the power of yoga and the healing arts with others, so I underwent training to become an instructor,” she says. “After offering classes to parents who were waiting for their children in dance classes at my mother’s academy and seeing what a real need there was for this in the community, I opened my own studio in Fairport Harbor.”
As Branches of Wellness grew, adding practitioners and treatments, Erin moved to a much bigger space on the square in Painesville.
Today it offers a wide range of classes, indoors and out, in-person and virtual, group and individual, and the teachers also venture into the community in an outreach capacity, visiting senior centers, local schools and corporations.
Exploring the Healing Arts
One side of the studio is for yoga, and the other includes restful treatment suites for Thai massage, therapeutic massage, reiki, tuning forks/sound therapy and shamanic healing.
“Thai massage differs from traditional therapeutic massage in that it’s based on the principals of ayurveda and includes acupressure, meridian work and yoga-like stretching,” says Erin. “Performed on the floor instead of a massage table, with the client fully clothed, Thai massage is said to improve circulation, flexibility and muscle tone.”
“We also offer sound therapy both as classes, where people benefit from the vibrational drumbeat, which works on a cellular level, to individual sessions with tuning forks geared to balancing and energizing,” she adds.
Enhancing the Central Nervous System
One of the most popular specialty classes here is Yoga for Stroke Recovery. Branches of Wellness is the only studio in Lake or Cuyahoga County to offer it.
“Our classes serve not only those who are rehabbing from strokes and Parkinson's disease, but also people with autoimmune disorders,” says Erin. “Gentle movements broaden range of motion and flexibility, enhance the central nervous system and balance body and brain. Chairs and props are used in every class.”
No matter which class you opt for, don’t miss the adorable boutique within the studio. It offers artist-created jewelry, clothing, gemstones, home décor, yoga props and great reading.
Branches of Wellness is located at 70 South Park Place, along the south side of Painesville Square in Painesville. Call 440-639-8181or visit BranchesofWellness.com for more information. Register for classes online. Drop-ins are also welcome.