In an enlightening interview with MysticMag, Meredith and Daniel, the visionary founders behind Palma Colectiva, share the compelling story of their sanctuary’s inception amidst the uncertainties of COVID-19 in the vibrant heart of Santa Barbara.
Inspired by the city’s storied tradition in healing and meditation, yet discerning a void in spaces for communal gathering, they established Palma as a bastion of nurturing for an array of healing practices and workshops, thus enriching the dialogue on wellness and mindfulness within the community. Through a meticulously curated ensemble of modalities such as Sound Healing, Breathwork, and Reiki, Palma Colectiva endeavors to forge a holistic mind-body-spirit connection, offering profound, transformative experiences that echo with both personal and collective spiritual growth.
With a keen eye for design and a commitment to serene, inviting spaces, as recounted to MysticMag, Palma Colectiva emerges as a guiding light in the realm of holistic wellness, beckoning all to delve into the healing journey of mindfulness.
What inspired the creation of Palma Colectiva, and how do you believe it enhances the wellness community?
PALMA was birthed during COVID-19 as a way to connect, heal and elevate consciousness. After spending time in Santa Barbara, it became clear to us (founders Meredith and Daniel) that the community here, although rich with a history of healing and meditation centers, needed a nurturing space to gather and hold offerings.
We bring together a diverse array of healing modalities, practitioners, and workshops that support the pathway to the connection of wellness and mindfulness.
Can you explain the significance of the various healing modalities you offer and how they contribute to holistic wellness?
To us, it was the relationship between wellness and mindfulness that we wanted to emphasize with our offerings. Wellness became such a popular idea during covid but we felt the mind-body-spirit connection was lacking.
The modalities we work with – Sound, Breathwork, Plant Medicines, Somatic Movement, Bodywork, Intuitive Healing, and Reiki all support the overall wellness of the body while deeply exploring personal and collective spiritual growth.
How do you curate the events and workshops at Palma Colectiva, and what experiences do you aim to provide participants?
It was clear to us from the beginning we wanted to create a beautiful, open, and safe space. I come from a background in design so the correlation between the aesthetics of a space and the energy created is very important to me.
We wanted to provide a set up of mats, sheepskins, blankets, and pillows that felt inviting and nurturing, and therefore our guests could just walk into the space free of clutter and not have the responsibility to bring anything of their own. We curate the offerings by first having meaningful experiences with the practitioners and understanding their education and offerings.
We only bring in modalities and classes that we ourselves would want to participate in. Most practitioners find us!
Could you share a particularly memorable success story or transformative experience from one of your retreats or sessions?
We often get people who have never experienced a healing ceremony of any kind before. I call the sound bath the “gateway drug” of sorts because it’s what gets people in the door. And then they come back and try another modality. I’ve witnessed so many profound transformations from sound for people- they often leave with visions, clarity, less anxiety, and better sleep.
And many people are shocked that it “worked” so well for them. We had a family come in for a private Cacao Ceremony and Sound Bath and they each had profound breakthroughs that also were woven into their relationships with one another. They held themselves and cried with joy after and it was so meaningful to witness.
What role does your conscious retail selection play in supporting individuals’ wellness journeys?
The retail organically became an extension of PALMA because people wanted to take home parts of our setup, our incense, or candles. We started carrying these conscious products for our community and it expanded from there. We personally vet each product, where it’s made, and who is making it, and work one-on-one with the brands to discuss how we can support each other.
Find out more at: www.palmacolectiva.com
