By Mason Braasch
From mental health and mindfulness to nutrition and movement, your wellness journey can be all-encompassing. These women-owned businesses can help you along the way.
Force of Nature Movement
Athlete and personal trainer Shelby Copeland started Force of Nature Movement after experiencing firsthand the positive impact of natural movement in her journey of managing chronic pain. She now offers classes that take place outside of traditional gym settings — parks, playgrounds, and in nature — and are rooted in playfulness and connection. The classes, including parkour for women and seniors, backyard ninja for kids, and Adult Recess (Jul. 29), use a progressive, skill-based approach to practice movements such as crawling, balancing, rolling, climbing and swinging.
Multicultural Mental Health Services
In 2022, marriage and family therapist Lucero Steele founded Multicultural Mental Health Services with a
mission to provide in-depth mental health services for Black and brown communities and push back against the stigma surrounding seeking support for mental health. Focused on all intersections of her clients’ lives, including culture, spiritual beliefs, support systems, goals and strengths, Steele offers mental health services like individual and family therapy to facilitate healing and coping skills.
Yoga Accessible for All
Yoga Accessible for All offers yoga therapy and wellness classes to anyone interested in the benefits of a yoga practice. Specifically, it’s the perfect place for those who might not normally come to yoga classes — those who are differently-abled, have mental health challenges or are recovering from injury or disease. Adaptive yoga classes may incorporate chairs and other props and accommodations, while classes for seniors focus on improving balance, range of motion and flexibility with a combination of standing and seated positions. Modifications are always offered to allow everyone to feel welcomed.
A Healer’s Hand + The Nest
Nicole Budeau is a massage therapist licensed in prenatal massage, a certified infant massage instructor and Reiki master. She started A Healer’s Hand + The Nest (AHH) in 2007 with a goal of sharing the positive impact of therapeutic massage on pregnancy, labor, birth, infant and postpartum outcomes. AHH and its team of licensed professionals utilize a holistic approach to perinatal health and wellness and offer a slate of unique services like lymph drainage protocols, natural labor stimulation and continuing education programs to empower parents and support their journey through all stages of pregnancy and post-pregnancy.
Forum Health Madison
Focused on providing integrative and functional care, the team of physicians, nurse practitioners and health coaches at Forum Health Madison offer personalized plans to address health concerns ranging from adrenal dysfunction and thyroid health to nutritional balance and lifestyle changes. Rather than focusing on individual symptoms, the clinic aims to treat the whole person holistically by addressing underlying issues and tailoring health care to individual needs.
Real Good Nutrition
Certified dietitian nutritionist Emmy Bright (and former BRAVA columnist) started Real Good Nutrition after navigating her own health issues related to celiac disease. She and fellow dietician Jaclyn Jozefiak help clients navigate nutrition and other health issues through one-on-one counseling. Real Good Nutrition also offers workplace wellness programs and an intuitive eating program that helps clients develop a healthier and more sustainable relationship with food and nutrition.
A New Way Forward
We’re all hormonal beings, but women particularly need to be aware of how hormones influence our wellbeing as we age. Perimenopause can take place up to ten years before menopause and women can experience a variety of symptoms: hot flashes, anxiety, memory issues and more. Dr. Sheryl Spitzer-Resnick’s A New Way Forward clinic (see P. 38) specializes in helping women navigate these symptoms naturally so they can feel their best with an expert, caring touch.
