Read the related SBDC success story for Blessing Holistic Spa.
Upon entering Blessings Holistic Spa, visitors are welcomed by a comforting scent of burning sage, a 36-inch gong, and a very friendly staff. In traditional spiritual practices, the ripples of sound from a gong are related to moving energies, stimulating awareness, breaking up emotional blockages and recalibrating the parasympathetic nervous system. I had the incredible chance to stand behind the gong and feel its vibrations after being struck. Gong sounds and vibrations help with stress reduction, healing and personal transformation. Tanya McGill, owner of the spa, said, “I knew I always wanted a gong, and we are so thrilled to finally have one here in the space.”
My tour of the space began in the lobby where cozy rocking chairs encourage guests to sit and chat. This space also houses a gift shop filled with soaps, jewelry, clothing and more created by local artisans; books focused on spiritual subjects; sage; incense; oils; and more. As I chatted with Tanya in the lobby, a community member came in. I knew I was in a very special place when Debbie said of Tanya, “She simply knows what every individual needs. She is one of the best people I have ever met.”
Tanya is also a gifted medium who feels very guided on her life journey. She overcame alcoholism and a severe car accident that left doctors telling her she would never walk again. Determined, Tanya began pushing herself to walk on her own, despite falling and rebreaking her legs several times. She was taking steps fewer than 12 short weeks after a car stuck her as a pedestrian, despite having absolutely no ligaments in her knees.
The community love for this place is evident. People who don’t have the budget for services or treatment often stop by to sit in the rocking chairs and enjoy “Tanya time.” Many offer to help Tanya build the business in any way they can.
This is similar to the story of how Crystal McKinney became Assistant Manager at the spa. Crystal came to Tanya a few years prior to the grand opening of Blessings Holistic Spa for a reiki session at Tanya’s home. She said, “I knew then I was ready. I knew I could help Tanya just as she had helped me,” Crystal said.
During my visit, Crystal administered the biosound therapy treatment. The biosound therapy bed was one of the most comfortable and supportive pieces of furniture I have ever been in. Crystal talked me through what to expect from the session and handed me blackout sunglasses and headphones. The gentle movements in the bed were a surprise to me, and a wonderful complement to the dissonance of sounds and the soothing guided meditation that left me feeling inspired, ready for change and relaxed.
As another part of my visit, Tanya led me to the former garage that has been converted into a calming space housing two hydromassage chairs. My time sitting in the chair was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing things I have ever experienced. First stepping out of my shoes, I then hopped into the comfy leather lounge chair and Nathaniel Porter guided me through the settings and how to make adjustments. Then he left me to sit in comfort to enjoy the power of the water jets as they moved from my heels to my lower back, massaging away any tension or aches. “Porter” as he is known at the spa, has a love of big words, and is currently studying marketing and business management.
Right near this hydromassage space, a Zen Room houses a zero-gravity massage chair (that uses airbags and rollers for gentle massage) as well as a halotherapy sauna that combines heat of an infrared sauna with Himalayan salt therapy. The heat aids in detoxification and the salt decreases inflammation, improves digestion and enhances skin health.
My tour also included a visit upstairs where natural homeopathic doctor Donna Jicinsky is currently renovating the space in preparation of joining the team at Blessings. Donna has been practicing holistic health consulting since 2005 and studying the chiropractic field since 1999. She is fascinated by health and the human body and seeks to help bring wellness to others. The growth of the spa seems as inevitable as the need for personal healing.
I also got to spend time with Marcia Ferry, a nationally certified therapist. She explained to me a lot of the science behind reflexology, cupping and lymphatic drainage. I was fascinated by the information and look forward to reading more in the books Marcia recommended. I then got to experience firsthand lymphatic and craniosacral therapy. It was amazing to me how much Marcia could tell about my internal physical body simply through light touch. She truly has a gift.
Tanya has a rare talent as well. She guided me through a reiki session in which she hovered her hands above me at times and placed her hands directly on me at other times. Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique used to manage symptoms, improve general well-being and stimulate a body’s natural healing abilities. Tanya could easily tell there was an energy blockage in my right hip and helped talk me through a lock I was experiencing in my sense of creativity.
I cannot wait to see how Blessings Holistic Spa continues to grow and expand, bringing more healing to the Wisconsin Rapids community members.
