Store offers unique stress free relaxation

BY BILL BRADLEY

Feeling stressed lately?

Charmaine Kennedy, co-owner of The Tree of Life North store at 251 Regent St., has a relaxing and stress-free place for you. Her store on Regent Street, across from Lougheeds Funeral Home, offers an environment like no other, she said.

Open since July, the 2,000 square foot metaphysical orientated store offers books, workshops and workshop space rental, four bistro tables for soothing hot tea and desserts, and a variety of rocks and crystals.

"We have created a place of community where people can come in and share what they know, read a book, have some tea and listen to our quiet music. It is a place to learn to care of yourself," said Kennedy.

She was a crisis councillor at the Sudbury Sexual Assault Centre for five years. Having this store means she can still use those skills that help people who feel threatened, she said.

"It is less clinical atmosphere. When people come in the door they seem to relax immediately."

The recent bad economic news in the world is affecting people a lot these days, Kennedy said. "Everyone is worried. We all need to take a deep breath and slow down. With the economy the way it is, a lot of people are getting back to basics and coming out to meet other people interested in metaphysical topics," said Kennedy.

One woman does hot stone massage and another Reiki, an ancient Japanese healing technique. Reiki is a massage for the insides. "That is the way my husband puts it," she said. It involves meditation, and focusing on the breathing. "Our bodies we designed to heal themselves," she noted.

Monica, a Reiki practitioner, comes in four afternoons a week and pays the store 20 per cent of her take, which helps to pay bills. It also  helps practitioners like her to establish their businesses, said Kennedy.

Local artists can sell their work on consignment in the store and that gives the premises an artsy feel, she said.

Sara King-Gold, a painter, sculptor, frame maker and print makers made the store's sign outside. She will be showing off her work soon in the store.

Originally from Haileybury, the artist fell upon the store by accident. "This is absolutely a great place for my art business," she said.

Allan Green, a past life regressionist from Ottawa, has attracted a lot of attention for his workshops Oct. 25, 26 and 27, said Kennedy.

"We are almost booked solid. Only two spots are now left for Allan Green. He has been to Sudbury before, operating out of a local hotel."

There are many new people coming to the store, she noted.

At first Kennedy and her partner Deborah Hines, a former truck driver, were going to rent the building.

"We found it too expensive to rent so we instead bought the building outright. So we have turned it into a healing place where you can get rid of your stress," said Kennedy.

Hines was a former heavy equipment operator in construction. "I gave it up. I needed a change," said Hines.

She said another factor was her treatment by male construction workers. "There is still a lot of harassment for women on the job site," said Hines.

She is happy attending to the bookkeeping and helping out in the store. "I have to say we got a deal in purchasing the building. Owning it helps the bottom line," she said.

For more information, visit 251 Regent St., phone 671-2000, fax 671-2005, visit www.treeoflifenorth.com or email [email protected] .