FIND YOUR CALM

from Starved Rock Country Magazine - Spring 2021

A DAY IN DWIGHT

at Streator’s Balanced Spirit Wellness Center

Story and Photos by Ryan Searl

Since 2017, Balanced Spirit Wellness Center has been offering rejuvenating massages, transformative Reiki sessions and deeply relaxing Himalayan salt cave experiences to visitors and locals alike in Starved Rock Country. Nestled in historic downtown Streator and less than a half-hour southeast of Starved Rock State Park, Balanced Spirit Wellness Center is an all-in-one relaxing retreat that aims to align your physical, emotional and mental well-being. Join us as we take a tour of this cozy wellness center and learn about the many exciting services it has to offer.

Owned and operated by Streator native Shawn Cates and her husband, Mike, Balanced Spirit Wellness Center is a passion project that stemmed from Cates’ love of Reiki. As a certified Reiki master and reflexologist, Cates was encouraged by her former instructor to set up a center of her own, bringing Reiki and a whole suite of other wellness services to Streator’s beautiful downtown.

ADDRESS: 419 E. Main St., Streator PHONE: 815-672-6600 WEB: balanced-spirit-wellnesscenter-llc.business.site

Reiki, a Japanese energy healing technique, is rooted in the principal that a practitioner can channel energy into a patient by means of touch. The goal is to deeply relax the client, helping to speed healing, reduce pain and decrease other symptoms they may be experiencing.

Reiki, while just one of the many services offered at the center, is one of the most popular. Three Reiki practitioners work out of Balanced Spirit: Christine Brown, Monika Van Ness and Tricia Novotney. These all-ages sessions can be booked in 30-minute or hour increments, providing you with a one-on-one session in a comfortable setting that promotes relaxation.

Therapeutic massage, one of the other core pillars of Balanced Spirit Wellness Center, uses the physical manipulation of the body’s soft tissue to stimulate circulation, promoting both relaxation and healing. Three massage therapists, Cayla Rebstock and mother-daughter massage practitioners Monika and Madison Van Ness, can be scheduled for 30, 60 and 90-minute sessions, along with specialty services like prenatal massage and cold stone head therapy. For just a small upcharge, you can add relaxing hot stones to any massage offered at the center.

Balanced Spirit Wellness also features a tranquil yoga studio on-site, offering three drop-in friendly classes throughout the week. Lead by instructor Jessica Bakalar, these classes can cater to anyone from the experienced yogi to first-time student, perfect for anyone passing through the area or vacationing in Starved Rock Country. Classes are held at 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. Saturdays.

If you are looking to truly unwind, step into the wellness center’s Himalayan salt room. Quickly becoming one of the most popular branches of the wellness industry, halotherapy is widely regarded for its calming and detoxifying effects, believed to support the immune, nervous and lymphatic systems. Additional benefits are said to include reduced stress and headaches, increased energy and better sleep patterns. Lined with the finest imported salt, the wellness center’s dim and relaxing room can be reserved for 45-minute sessions, group sessions or discounted four-session passes for repeat relaxers. The Wellness Center’s private float tank, which contains a special Epsom salt and water solution, simulates the effects of near zero gravity, allowing for deep relaxation and pain relief. In the tank, blood flow is stimulated through all the tissues, releasing natural endorphins and promoting relaxation and meditation.

In addition to these rejuvenating services, Balanced Spirit also boasts an in-house aesthetician, capable of handling all your beauty needs. Nancy Arevalo offers sessions focusing on facials, eyebrow and eyelash lifting, waxing, dermaplaning and even luxury pamper packages.

All of these wonderful and relaxing services can be booked online at www.balancedspiritwellness.com. Owner Shawn Cates encourages those interested to reserve their sessions at least a few days in advance to ensure availability. For more information and to see upcoming specials and new services, be sure to follow Balanced Spirit Wellness on Facebook.

CS R