Digging Into Inner Rutz

By Maggie Gasior Black

It’s a peaceful, harmonious tale of two spaces at Inner Rutz. Goods and services abound creating a hub to help you find your inner roots. The entire space and its energy are truly intended for Pittsburgh with items from Pittsburgh, all accomplished by Pittsburghers. Stroll in off the charming sidewalk of Beverly Road in Mount Lebanon and you will find a delightfully brimming boutique. Go deeper and you will find a light filled yoga, meditation, learning sanctuary space. Through a profound connection and mutual understanding, two women, of differing backgrounds found they share a powerful intention: to offer help to those finding their own roots. Exploring these quiet, unseen places of the heart, mind, and soul might require some unconventional, ideas, tools, guidance, and space, all of which Inner Rutz provides in abundance.

Roots and Rutz, here, intertwined, lies an illustration of the pure intention and spiritual connection at the heart of Inner Rutz. Roots are tangible; roots is a standard, common word. In the artwork of the space, roots are literally represented in luscious, gorgeous tree spirit wood nymphs, dryads. Rutz being a less literal, more abstract word is what you might find if you go deeper and get in touch with those quiet, unseen places. Roots might represent the physical items in the boutique, while Rutz might be thought of as the studio space with classes, meditation, and experiences that take you deeper.

It all began with a quest for artwork. Steph Schuler was looking for art for her skincare line, Rutz Naturals. Nationally known, but Pittsburgh made brand, Rutz Naturals are Reiki infused, organic, biocompatible products that offer a fresh take on skincare that is based on energy work. While being a ball of good energy herself, Steph wanted art work for her brand to come from a spiritual artist. She had her sights set on a painting of birds. Call it fate, call it what you want to, when a mutual friend connected Steph with Kelly Brown, her portfolio at the time happened to be full of bird after bird after bird. Kelly feels that everything in her life prepared her to be in exact alignment for her meeting Steph. She already had tons of business experience having been the head of marketing for Fresh brand product when they went from big to huge and an entrepreneur from a young age.

The two hit it off spectacularly. Ideas and connections flowed wildly. They felt like they understood each other without needing words. A popup event in 2017 gave them their first success together and they moved forward with nine months of construction to make Inner Rutz the beautiful space it is today. When I visited the store and met Steph, she showcased and gushed over Kelly’s artwork in the boutique. When I spoke to Kelly, I learned an incredible amount about Steph’s Rutz Naturals brand. They do not only compliment, but complement each other in all the best ways. Steph is a down to earth, intuitive teacher who explains things in a way that you might think you already knew them. Kelly is finding her strength in getting into the factual scientific side of things.

One Saturday afternoon, I attended Steph’s free class, Benefits of Crystals. I was very warmly welcomed into a group of people assembled to learn. Steph and Kelly are both warm, inviting, and very personable. In a very accessible, comprehensible way, Steph explained all about the science of crystals, stones and rocks. She helped us let go of doubt and disbelief to use our guts to consider choosing crystals that speak to us energetically. Chakra balancing and meditation uses for crystals were discussed as well. The other participants asked insightful questions that showed that they truly understood and learned what they needed to from her seminar.

Steph gave me a tour of the boutique side of the space after class. Beautifully appointed, well stocked without overcrowding, the shop is full of truly special items. Upcycled, natural, and handmade pieces are everywhere. Joah Brown, Mt. Lebanon graduate and Kelly’s niece, fills the clothing rack with her self-titled brand of super chic streetwear from Los Angeles. JoahBrown brand is a true hometown, all American success story. CBD for everyone in the family, including the dog is available. Rutz Naturals has a wall display of products that smells heavenly and will get your skin glowing. The center of the store is full of crystals, rocks, stones, and meditation items. There is even ethically sourced chocolate. Accessories and giftware are throughout the store as well. Everything you can’t find, can’t touch, can’t feel, can’t smell online is right there for you, displayed beautifully for purchase locally in Pittsburgh, from Pittsburgh.

The studio space has a schedule full of classes on the gentle side to educate and guide you toward those quiet unseen roots. Regular classes include Restorative Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Moving Meditation with Sound Baths. Free seminars are offered on crystals, oils, and artistry. The real innovative education and cultivated learning is rooted in unique, exploratory classes such as forest bathing, psychic development, heart math, tween yoga, and drum circles. These are highly curated experiences offered to help share knowledge, build a community and mainstream mindfulness. Inner Rutz is a learning hub unlike any other.

Intention is the energetic root of all things. Digging down to the roots of Inner Rutz, we find the purest intentions - to aid us on our journeys to our best selves. Working together, optimizing their own strengthens, and supporting each other, Steph and Kelly manifest that intention into the beautiful reality that is Inner Rutz. Their energy, goods, and services mindfully guide Pittsburghers deeper into our own souls.