This week Colleen and Robyn welcome Nicole Rutsch    Nicole Rutsch is a NYC-based Holy Fire Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, Sound Healer, and Herbalist.    Nicole works with individuals who want to take their lives in a new and positive direction and helps her clients quell anxiety, reduce stress, and become clear about what they want from life.   She grew up on a farm in a town called Stadecken, outside of Mainz, Germany, where she loved to spend time in nature, and developed a deep connection to Mother Earth. Much of her childhood was spent with her grandfather in the field, tending to the family’s grapevines, and cherry trees, or learning how to cook traditional German meals and make fruit preserves in the kitchen with her grandmother and mother.   Nicole started her career as a photo assistant, which turned into working as a food-stylist. In 2014, she developed her passion for food and started her own successful catering business. Initially, the majority of her clients came from the fashion industry, including Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Rag & Bone, Michael Kors, Derek Lam, and many more. Shortly after, Nicole expanded into the wellness industry, partnering with clients like Alo Yoga, Athleta, Adidas, and Bandier.   While working in the wellness space, Nicole saw a deep need to help people understand the healing powers of natural food and herbs, which led her to herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Soon thereafter, she began studying at the New York Open Center under renowned herbalists Peeka Trenkle, David Winston, and Drew DiVittorio.    The knowledge Nicole gleaned from her studies in herbalism allowed her to begin helping others rebuild their relationship with food in a positive, healthy, and natural way.  In addition to healing the body by using healthy food and herbs, Nicole also realized the importance of healing the mind and spirit as well, thus from an integrated wholistic perspective. In the face of challenges on her own personal journey, Nicole became very self-aware and introspective.  This led her to begin working with Reiki, a Japanese therapeutic technique, that allows the healer to move energy in the patient in order to encourage emotional and physical well-being. After witnessing Reiki’s palliative effects firsthand, Nicole became a Reiki Master, which certified her to practice all forms of Reiki.    Shortly thereafter, after beginning to work with Reiki, Nicole also discovered the benefits of working with crystal alchemy sound bowls, a practice known as Sound Healing. By integrating Sound Healing with Reiki in her unique way, Nicole discovered a powerful recipe for alleviating stress and anxiety, and engendering feelings of calmness and gratitude. Experiencing the palliative power of reiki and sound firsthand gave Nicole the desire to share these gifts with the world. This inspired her to begin her current practice, with the intention of helping clients see the enormous potential within themselves for positive change, by harnessing the power of reiki, sound-healing, herbal remedies, and a healthy lifestyle.    Moreover, Nicole recently collaborated with Alo Yoga, a renowned wellness yoga brand, to create a groundbreaking meditation series centered around Reiki. This visionary project marked the first-ever launch of its kind, exclusively featured on Alo Moves, their esteemed membership platform. By seamlessly blending the transformative qualities of Reiki with the serene art of meditation, Nicole's collaboration with Alo Yoga aims to guide individuals towards profound inner peace and self-discovery.   Nicole is a firm believer that true growth and learning never cease. She wishes more than anything to spread her knowledge and wisdom to others in the spirit of harmony and bringing forth love, light and unity on this journey we call life.   Connect with Nicole:   Website:www.Nicolerutsch.com Email: hello@nicolerutsch.com Instagram: @nicole_rutsch Alo Yoga Reiki Series: https://www.alomo