Well Healed in Newbury…
When the husband and wife team of Beth and Mike Houlihan began mapping out a new home for their beloved Roots to Wings Yoga and Healing, they sought to build upon their longstanding commitment to “creating sacred and transformative space where folks could gather and connect safely in the pursuit of embracing their truest selves”. Yoga would be at the forefront of course, but they also wanted to build an oasis of consciousness and healing in support of other paths for integrating the mind, body, and spirit. In that verve of total healing they broke ground and last October opened doors in their brand new Greater Newburyport studio. Serving Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Georgetown, Rowley, Amesbury, Salisbury, Ipswich, Boxford, the seacoast and beyond… the brand new Roots to Wings is a custom built, two story, 6,000 square foot healing center with two large practice rooms, a meditation room, two healing treatment rooms and 36 parking spaces. Nestled behind a grove of cedar trees with rockers on the porch and lots of room to roam, the pastoral setting offers guest a true sanctuary all in just a short drive from Boston.
One of the things by which I was most struck on a recent Saturday morning visit to the center was the genuine air of sangha that Roots to Wings exudes. With beautiful plants, fresh cut daffodils, signature artwork and lots of sunshine spilling in, folks seem to rest at ease and linger – both before and after practice. It is clear that the Houlihan’s had the pulse of their growing community and designed a layout that invites a respectful level of mingling among many cups of tea. This community feel is further fostered with the center’s ambitious line-up of special programming ranging from silent meditation retreats to this weekend’s JourneyDance an inspiring, playful and exhilarating movement experience led by Corey McLaughlin. This evening dance of free expression is being promoted as a “pathway to discovering and creating own authentic movement – a body prayer that guides us to become more fully present and release blocks to our inner joy.”
Beth Houlihan teaches yoga to both children and adults. She completed her 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher certification through the Anahata Integrated Yoga Teacher Certification Course in Newbury with Pam Britton and Chris Morton. She has also completed the Back Bay Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program with Ame Wren. Beth attended Master Healers Course in Sedona AZ, Brain Management Consultant Training and has trained in energy healing under the guidance of Spiritual Teacher and Master Healer Chun Shim nim. Beth teaches a vinyasa style linking postures, breath and energy practices to help students relax, open their physical body, quiet their mind and connect more deeply inside. Her husband Mike is a certified Kripalu yoga instructor and energy healer. He draws great inspiration from Sudha Carol Lundeen, Devarshi Stephen Hartman, Jurian Hughes, Cobe Kozlowski and the many wonderful teachers at Kripalu. In addition to Kripalu Hatha yoga (postures for physical and mental health), Mike has practiced and studied physical, energetic and spiritual healing under the guidance of Spiritual Teacher and Healer Chun Shim nim. He loves Kirtan and is inspired by the opportunity to combine yoga, music, and movement in a group setting. Together, they’ve assembled a deep bench of yoga instructors. And, massage, reiki, enegy healing, craniosacral therapy, life coaching, counseling and other healing services are continuously being added to the center’s healing menu.
While Roots to Wings is brimming with charm and tranquility throughout the four seasons, the owners have great expectations for the coming spring with the addition of some extensive perennial gardens and expanded programming!
Author Susan Currie is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA magazine. Her words and images have been featured in the Boston Globe, Elephant Journal, Yogi Times, the Tishman Review, the Huffington Post, Spirit of St. Bart’s and on the cover of the book Moving into Meditation (Shambala) by Anne Cushman.
Susan is also the creator of the Daily Inhale and an RYT 200 registered yoga instructor. She unpacks her various professional experiences through the creative and yoga workshops she leads throughout the country. Her new book, GRACENOTES (Shanti Arts 2017), a blend of words and images, is now available in wide release.