There is no need to travel far from home to find a sacred and safe space that combines age-old healing modalities and new discoveries for holistic well-being. With a variety of classes, educational workshops, salt room, and practitioners from all around the world, Awakening into Wellness offers a unique combination of multicultural wisdom and multigenerational knowledge here in St. Pete.
Founder Maria Carranza, originally from Puerto Rico, came to the Tampa area as a young woman. A certified laboratory supervisor in hematology, she became interested in alternative medicine and established a place where the community can take advantage of holistic therapies. Carranza opened Awakening into Wellness in 2017. She shares her time between the clinical field and her wellness studio.
Awakening is home to 15 practitioners offering a variety of services including meditation, breathwork, family constellation, shamanic work, astrology, massage, stretch, Reiki healing, crystal therapy, tarot, yoga, sound therapy, tai chi, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and career wisdom. “Our focus is on balance, using non-invasive natural modalities, treating the whole person – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually,” says managing director Hope Cuesta.
Social Fridays and Support Groups
Awakening is one of the few places in town that offers free community space where newcomers and locals, holistic healers and diverse groups can meet and share time together. Make sure you visit the studio for Social Friday, happening at 11 a.m. every Friday, for a unique community circle, or at 7 p.m. the 11th of every month, for a support group that meets to share concerns, joys, and the ups and downs of life.
“It’s a great way for anyone from out of town to meet new people and for all of us to support each other,” says Donika Vlads, the studio manager. “There is something special happening when you sit on the floor in a circle, and you feel safe to ‘just be,’ surrounded by people that are speaking your language.”
Since Awakening is a women-owned business and sees the potential of partnership and cooperation, it is hosting a local chapter of Power Gals Networking. Power Gals Networking of St. Pete meets at noon on the first Thursday of each month. If you would like to connect with like-minded businesswomen, receive support, get referrals, and discuss best practices, learn more at www.PowerGalsNetworking.com.
A Retail Shop and Awakening Markets
Located right in the heart of St. Pete, Awakening maintains a retail shop as well – from healing crystals, meditation stones, protective jewelry and malas to sound bowls and salt-treatment products. They also host Awakening Market from noon to 7 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month, where shoppers converge onto the Grand Central District to select products from a variety of wellness vendors and crafters. Inside the Awakening studio, you can also find psychic readings, clairvoyants, and energy readers.
Awakening into the Sun Festival
Be sure to mark your calendar for the 10th annual Awakening Into the Sun Festival to be held March 11 and 12 at North Straub Park in downtown St. Pete. There will be free live music, yoga, food vendors, and an indie market with over 150 vendors specializing in all aspects of wellness.
“We are like a melting pot of different businesses, cultures, groups,” Cuesta says, “and we hope that the community will take time for themselves to practice self-care by stepping into Awakening.”
For more information or to view the schedule of classes and events, please visit www.AwakeningStPete.org or call (727) 289- 4747. The studio and retail shop are at 1990 Central Ave.. A commercial kitchen is available for rent for a vegan café.
