About Us
What we do
We offer guidance in developing practices that foster holistic well-being, along with opportunities to help people tune into their inner voice and connect with their intuition, inspiration, and creativity.
We provide a safe place for people to show up, slow down, and step out of their usual daily routines, creating space to gain insights on how they interact with the world. Through participation, many have experienced relief from depression, apathy, fear, trauma/PTSD, and are experiencing more fulfillment in their lives.
Guidance is offered surrounding:
Stillness – meditation, nature immersion, sound meditation
Intentional Movement – exercise, walking, yoga, tai chi
Expression – journaling, letter writing, & creative outlets
Nutrition – healthy foods, and meal prep as self care
Ritual* – reaching toward the sacred
* While we do not espouse any organized religion, we do recognize that a spiritual connection can help one to thrive, even in difficult times. Studies have shown that spirituality (reaching toward the sacred) is linked to positive relationships, healthy self-esteem, optimism, and a sense of meaning or purpose in one’s life. Ancient traditions such as meditation and use of sound can help one to slow down enough to find that spiritual connection. Even for those that have no interest in the spiritual, these practices are proven to reduce stress, lower anxiety and depression, increase compassion, and enhance will power, as well as offering physical benefits.
How It Began
We live in what I believe to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth; our little piece of paradise. Both of us have a need to be surrounded by nature; and, at some point we began bringing in others that could also benefit from immersion in nature, time for solitude, and guidance in basic healthy life practices ~ meditation, movement, journaling, nutrition, & self care. It all started very organically, and folks started realizing benefits. And telling other folks. And they came, and told other folks; and it all began to spiral, in a very good way.
The land we steward is now home to a cottage equipped with sound healing instruments (gongs, crystal bowls, chimes, and much more), along with a multitude of stones and crystals that enhance the sound sessions. Groups or individuals may come for part of a day to experience a Sound & Stone Session, or choose a longer stay in one of the two available cabins. The Center Cabin allows for lodging up to three days. The HillTop Cabin, powered by the sun and surrounded by acres of woods and fields, is a place to stay for up to 28 days. The cabins allow for the benefits of solitude, meditation, immersion in nature, journaling, and convenient access to our other offerings, such as the sound sessions, and sauna. Guidance is available to tailor programs specifically to one’s needs.
Now, along with the support of Life Elemental, Inc. (501(c)3), we strive to offer opportunities and a setting that allows one to tune into their inner voice and become closer to their essence; welcoming creativity, inspiration, and intuition. In addition; we offer tools that help people continue their becoming as they go back to their daily lives. In this way, participants are finding more fulfillment, and many have experienced long term relief from depression, anxiety, apathy, and trauma/PTSD.
Our Offerings
Sound & Stone Session – Sound therapy, the use of vibrational instruments such as gongs and crystal bowls, has been shown to slow brain waves allowing people to access a deep meditative state, reducing stress, and stimulating a healthy sense of self. Use of stones and crystals in healing predates Traditional Chinese Medicine. When used with skill and intention, this therapy also helps to initiate positive energetic shifts. We have found that bringing stones and crystals into the sound meditations enhances the positive results of both modalities. Read more
Sauna – Sauna has been used to enhance health, relaxation, and community for centuries. It has been shown to improve sleep, mood, heart health, and circulation; as well as flushing toxins, and reducing pain and inflammation.
The Center Cabin – This rustic cabin provides an on site space for 1 or 2 people to stay when coming from out of town.
The HillTop Cabin – This off-grid cabin is powered by the sun and somewhat remote, although close enough to have access to our other offerings. It is a safe place to take a step back from usual daily routines and create new habits. Lodging in this cabin may be scheduled for 3 to 28 days.
Group Immersions – Renew with three days nestled in the serene hills of the Driftless Area of Wisconsin. Engage in sound sessions, sauna, intentional fires, and nature immersion. Holistic guidance is available to support your journey of personal growth and healing.
Sweat Hut – Sweating on the earth, with heat provided by fire-warmed stones, is a practice that crosses cultures and time. This practice is best experienced in groups.
Fire Ceremony – Occasional fire ceremonies are held for intentional purposes.
Once home; post visit phone calls offer an opportunity to talk about anything that may have come up, time to reconnect and ask questions, and encouragement to continue practices that enhance life.
Who We Are
Karen Reckinger was introduced to sound healing in the early 2000’s. She was struck by the tangible way she could feel her vibration after attending sound sessions, and how the feeling of being ‘tuned-up’ mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stayed with her. Since then, her life’s journey has brought her to a place of providing sound for others; hosting a monthly Women’s Sound Circle, playing for groups during 3 Day Sound Immersion retreats, and offering sound and stone sessions for groups and individuals by appointment. Guided by intuition, ear, and an innate empathic nature, she provides layers of instrumentation intended to invoke a deep meditative journey; working to help others relax, release, and gain insights. Use of stones and crystals, along with sound therapy, enhances the properties of both of these modalities. Karen has been working with sound healing instruments since 2015, and is certified through the Sound Healing Academy.
Edward Schultz began playing music at an early age. The knowledge gained through that study supports his intuitive process while practicing in the rudiments of Vedic Sound Therapy. Over the past 10 years, working with Gongs, Hoop Drums, Chimes, Tibetan and Crystal Bowls, Ocean Drum, Monolina and other instruments, he has assisted hundreds of people through their process of releasing stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
As a practitioner, he makes a clear distinction between music, and sound. Music to the western ear has a distinct beginning, middle and end (The Aristotelian Model). Whereas, sound holds to no beginning, middle or end templates. Sound/vibration is intended to activate and/or clear energy through, or from, the person; whether that be physical, mental, and/or emotional energetics. No two sessions are exactly the same, as no one person is exactly the same from one day to the next.
Edward began his study of Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit over 45 years ago through books, lectures, and countless hours of written observation; much of which became poetry published in dozens of journals. His collegiate studies were Psychology and Literature.
To Edward, the two most important relational activities are Listening and Prayer. Listening puts us in right relationship with all Life, while Prayer puts us in right relationship with Spirit.