A Fresh Beginning

When lockdown began in March of 2020, I was four months into a record short retirement. After twenty plus years of working in the field of construction, I was working full time teaching yoga & meditation to group classes and private sessions; offering Thai Massage and Reiki treatments; working with others to continue our healing modalities and classes in HWHC. I loved the work I was doing and I deeply missed the creative vision, process and manifestation of architectural design; seeing these imaginings become buildings or spaces people would live in. 

With a world at home on lockdown, I realized people might be rethinking how they live in their homes; ourselves included. The spaces we dwell in naturally evolve to accommodate how unfolding times inspire us to live. 

During uncertain times, I felt fortunate to step back into a line of work that would help provide income for our family, office staff, workers, sub-contractors and contribute to our local economy. We could be of service and flourish in times that were and continue to be uncertain; when others might be losing the only line of work they had. Or find themselves struggling to keep a business afloat amid the challenges.

Javier and I stayed at HWHC with our office staff until a year into the pandemic. As therapeutic treatments were coming to an end, it became clear that a five-studio building with courtyard in the center was more space than required to run our design-build business. All we needed was an office with a reception. Staying on would not fulfill the potential this space had to offer. We’d had our time.

During a visit with my mom, she asked if we wanted to move back into our old office. 

The yoga studio was open at the time. We had reopened in September of 2020 following all the safety protocol. Closed in January when case numbers spiked. Reopened in March when the numbers dropped. I had had my eye on the patio above Galeria Los Angeles for teaching yoga. Outdoors, fresh air, connected with nature. Being outside felt like the safest place to gather small groups of people for classes. When I heard that a hotel was being built in front of HWHC, this confirmed what I was ready to accept.

It was time to move. So, we did. As you drive up the Delegation road, you can see how we revived the building where Galeria Los Angeles remains; memories of art classes and coffee with our unique, beautiful, livable design-build office in the back. My mom, Sally, who owns the building gave me cart blanche in the renovation. I chose the colors from memory and long walks in Santa Fe: Soft adobe colored walls and lively periwinkle iron grates adorn the building. A stunning combination of colors. Tin roof over the patio for yoga and classes. A view of the Sea of Cortez.

Starting in May 2021, I began teaching yoga and meditation upstairs on that patio. At that time, I posted a picture of the Healing Winds building on IG and FB, one of my favorite features: the traveling pool of light in the center of its central courtyard: 

This building has been one of my greatest and deepest teachers. From the moment the yoga studio opened in 2009 to the unfolding realization of the healing center it became in 2013 to the full circle of offering our core work in design and build and staying strong through the surprises of 2020. And every breath in between. I have worked in every one of its five studios. I know this building inside and out. Every inch that was born in my imagination to every inch I’ve breathed in. Heart, body, mind and soul. The deepest learning has been in relationship with the people I have met, shared space with, learned, grown and healed with. Laughed and breathed with. My connection to the building runs as deep as the one I feel with any building I’ve designed, built, created and then some. And my favorite feature, the one I’ve photographed infinitely is the opening to the sky, that fascinating pool of light that is constantly moving and changing. Even when it feels still. And sounds of silence. In between the cars and life passing by outside the courtyard. The opening of gratitude and infinite possibilities. An openness to all that was, is and will be. Filled with curiosity for how much space a place can breathe life.

One person’s transition affects the lives of others. With that awareness, I want to say thank you with my whole heart to all who were part of the Healing Wind’s experience; may the learning, growing and healing continue to nurture our hearts, bodies, minds and souls, wherever our lives may take us. 

When you drive up the Delegation road, past our current location, towards what used to be Healing Winds, you will see the building’s new vision coming to life through Juan Jose Gomez, Luis Villavicencio and building’s new name: Plaza Buenos Aires. These two fine men have partnered up and rented the entire building. JJ and Luis have a great vision that will continue to fill the space with good energy and people. 

For every fresh beginning happening in our community, near and far, my wish is for health, happiness, peace, success and fulfillment: heart, body, mind and soul.

“When the heart is ready for a fresh beginning, unforeseen things can emerge. And in a sense, this is exactly what a beginning does. It is an opening for surprises. Surrounding the intention and the act of beginning, there are always exciting possibilities. Such beginnings have their own mind, and they invite and unveil new gifts and arrivals in one’s life. Beginnings are new horizons that want to be seen; they are not regressions or repetitions. Somehow they win clearance and become fiercely free of the grip of the past. What is the new horizon in you that wants to be seen?” ~ John O’Donohue