WELLNESS CATCHES ON

Branches of Wellness marks one year in city’s downtown

A year after opening in downtown Painesville, Branches of Wellness continues to expand its services and studio space.

“It’s been an absolutely amazing year,” said owner Erin Hill. “We have just grown so much. We gained almost 300 new clients in a year.”

Branches of Wellness opened in Fairport Harbor in 2008 and moved to 70 South Park Place last March.

Due to the increase in new clients, Hill said they already need additional space for the massage Reiki, body and energy work.

“We will be expanding our massage therapy rooms across the hall in the old Beltone space,” she said. “It worked out perfect for us, because three massage rooms can fit in there. We’re hoping to have those services up and running by mid to late-April.”

Many people got the opportunity to try out some of these massage techniques for free at the Pop-Up Painesville event on March 8.

“The theme of our event is Healthy Living, Healthy Habits for Spring,” said Hill.

Pop-Up Painesville also celebrated its one-year anniversary in

the city. It was a collaborative effort with the city to get more people in Painesville to shop.

“The support of the city has been tremendous,” she said. ”We have received a lot of support from the workforce.”

It was also an opportunity for Branches of Wellness to showcase their offerings and educate the community.

Branches of Wellness offers numerous educational opportunities including certification programs.

“We’ve had great support with our certification programs like Reiki, Thai massage and we’re going to eventually start our own yoga certification training,” Hill said.

Family yoga has also been recently introduced and Hill said the participation has been great.

“We are still trying to grow the program, but those who have been coming have loved it,” she said.

“It’s for all ages working with a parent, friend or caregiver. We also recently started Tai Chi and QiGong classes, just for so more low impact ways to achieve range of motion. People are starting to really enjoy those classes. Every way we wanted to grow we’re growing.”

Meanwhile, the Branches of Wellness instructors continue to do yoga for children in Painesville City Schools and Fairport Harbor Schools and gentle yoga with seniors at local senior centers.

“We’re trying to reach all of the ages,” she said. “It has just been so exciting.”

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD Licensed massage therapist Bethany Soeder gives a chair massage at Branches of Wellness in Painesville on March 8.

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD Lyndsey Stropkey provides a Thai massage on March 8 at Branches of Wellness in Painesville.