Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie Finocchio-Durham.
Stefanie’s journey to wellness began in 2005. She was seeking balance and an escape from the chaos found in leaving home for the first time, as a freshman in college.
Summer 2005, Stefanie walked into her first yoga class, and still 13 years later, still continues to find herself there. Yoga has been a place to connect, feel strong, healthy, free and clear. Years later Stef pursued her 200-hour yoga teaching training and a certificate in Advanced Thai Massage, with a mission to help others feel the same grounding effects of the practice that she had.
Serendipitously, Stefanie visited an acupuncture clinic for shoulder pain and was blown away by the immediate results. So much so that she thought to herself, I HAVE to practice this medicine! In fall of 2013, Stefanie enrolled in a masters program at the New England School of Acupuncture at MCPHS, seeking her degree in acupuncture. She felt at home studying Chinese Medicine. It just clicked with her. This beautiful medicine circled around the earth, the seasons, yin and yang. It was all so complicated- yet so clear and simple all at the same time.
The first year of her graduate program Stefanie and a fellow local yogi opened The Yoga Lounge in her hometown of Winthrop, Massachusetts. The next four years were some of the busiest, most beautiful, emotionally trying years of her life. She got married, had a baby, and managed the studio all while working towards her Masters in Acupuncture from NESA/ MCPHS. In 2017 Stefanie graduated ready to help others see the magic in Chinese medicine.
In 2018 Stefanie opened her second small business, a holistic health and wellness retreat just outside of Boston and minutes from her yoga studio, Root + Sky Wellness. Opening RSW has been beyond a dream. The peace, airiness and tranquility felt walking into the retreat is the feeling she had always dreamed of creating. Stefanie hopes this practice will be a positive addition to the Boston area, opening peoples eyes to the beautiful, non-invasive, effective world of Chinese medicine.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
God no! Smooth? Nothing good comes easy, don’t we all know that? School, life and opening the retreat has been incredibly challenging, but in no way would I ever do it differently. Just like I tell my yoga students, if every (life) was super easy, we would get bored! I gladly, with open arms welcome a challenge!
Root + Sky Wellness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Root + Sky Wellness is a holistic wellness retreat with a focus on Chinese Medicine. Here we offer Acupuncture, Thai Yoga Massage, Therapeutic/Deep Tissue Massage, Reiki and Therapy. What I am most proud of is the ease that I see in patience mind and body when leaving the retreat post-treatment. You instantly see the weight of the world fall and drop off their shoulders. This space is welcoming, healing and so, so special.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Proudest moment so far… welcoming my baby boy into the world in the middle of school and running a business!
Even more… opening a second business while still being able to stay connected and close to him. Its been a challenge but one that I will always give myself a pat on the back for.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1140 Saratoga Street, East Boston MA 02128
- Website: www.rootandskywellness.com
- Phone: 2072666363
- Email: stef@rootandskywellness.com
- Instagram: rootandsky_wellness
Image Credit:
Brie Marie Photography
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