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 we feel to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Our little piece of paradise in the heart of the Driftless area of Wisconsin. We recognized, early on in our lives, a genuine need to be surrounded by the world of trees, stone outcroppings, meadows and valleys. These are the elemental wonders that offer a natural balance, helping us to maintain healthy relationship within ourselves and with those around us. Being in the natural world can remind us that nature is not out there, rather it is within us all.
Our personal practices of stillness, movement (yoga, chi-gong), journaling, healthy nutrition, and ritual (reaching toward the sacred), feed our lives. As we continued on our path, seeking out other offerings (retreats etc.), we learned much and felt drawn to develop our own protocols that would include setting intention, preliminary and follow up work, and elements of the natural world. As we began inviting others to the land, many found physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits from immersion in nature, time for solitude, and guidance in basic healthy life practices. It all started very organically, and many who showed up told other folks. And they came, and told other folks, and it all began to spiral, in a very good way.
Soon came the cottage; home to gongs, crystal bowls, chimes, and many other sound healing instruments. The stones and crystals present in the cottage enhance the sound sessions. Sauna, sweat hut, ceremonial fire ring, groomed trails, and two cabins are also available. The HillTop Cabin, powered by the sun and surrounded by acres of woods and meadows, is a place for people to stay for up to 28 days. The Center Cabin is available for 1 to 6 days. The cabins allow for the benefits of solitude, journaling, immersion in nature, and access to other offerings. This is not a clinical setting, and leans more toward indigenous and earth based.
Now, along with the support of Life Elemental, Inc. (501(c)3), we offer opportunities that have shown themselves to promote healthy transformation. Groups or individuals may come for part of a day to experience a Sound & Stone Session, perhaps preceded by sauna, and followed by a reintegration chat. Others might stay in a cabin and benefit from solitude, self care, journaling, nature immersion, and other offerings.
We strive to offer opportunities and a setting that allows one to tune into their inner voice and become closer to their spiritual path, welcoming creativity, inspiration, and intuition. We offer tools to help people carry their experience with them when they go back to their daily lives. In so doing, many have experienced relief from depression, apathy, fear, trauma/PTSD, and are experiencing more satisfaction with their lives.
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.