Today we’d like to introduce you to Shana Dancer.
Hi Shana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My formal education is a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and prior to opening ZENlightenment, I worked in a variety of settings providing individual and group therapy to clients. I had also been practicing yoga for nearly a decade before obtaining my 200 hour yoga certification. The time of the pandemic put a lot into perspective for me, not only professionally, but personally as well. I was the primary caregiver for my dad who had dementia before he passed in January 2020. I was unhappy and needed to make a change, and it felt like those feelings were rippling across my community. People were urning for a holistic wellness hub, so I decided to open ZEN first as a small private practice for mental health therapy and individual yoga sessions while I still worked my day job. I had very few expectations for what ZEN could be, and I was pleasantly surprised when other wellness service providers kept reaching out to me, wanting to be a part of this community. Nine months after I opened, we had already outgrown the small space we started in and moved to a bigger location with a downtown storefront. Five years after opening in January 2021, we now have 10 staff on the ZEN team and just recently expanded again to an even larger location, still in downtown Alma.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been very thankful to be surrounded by people and opportunities that have made ZEN what it is today.
As you know, we’re big fans of ZENlightenment Wellness Center. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
ZENlightenment is best described as a holistic wellness hub, where we provide a variety of wellness services to meet people where they are at on their wellness journey. Our Core Values center around the seven dimensions of wellness, often referred to as SPECIES: Spiritual; Physical; Emotional; Career; Intellectual; Environmental; and Social. Some of the services that we provide to support each dimension include, but are not limited to, mental health therapy, yoga, massage therapy, fitness, energy work, foot soaks, and more! The ZEN service providers are a team that work together and are constantly encouraged to continue learning the most up to date techniques to best support each client that comes in.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
ZEN prides itself on being community oriented and often donates to and sponsors local organizations, including but not limited to, Child Advocacy, United Way, Community Cabinet, Wright House Restoration, Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce, RISE, Alma College, Alma High School, and St. Mary’s School.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zenlightenmentwellness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenlightenment.wellness.center/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZENlightenmentWellnessCenter
Image Credits
Lynzee Harrison Photography
