The Ground Floor: Sage and Sole Empowering Practices looks to aid ‘mind, body and soul’

CEDAR RAPIDS - Not every service offered at Sage and Sole Empowering Practices is as well known as reflexology, Reiki or Pilates. Singing bowl sound therapy, for example.

That involves a practitioner placing metal bowls around or on the client and playing the bowls with a mallet to stimulate healing through vibration.

According to business owners Maria Dummermuth and Kim Lande, that and other alternative therapies support their clients' natural ability to heal.

'We're not here to diagnose or give answers, but to help people look within to heal themselves,” Dummermuth said.

'The best part with all of these different modalities is that they make people feel better,” Lande said. 'They heal the mind, body and soul.”

Dummermuth said she and Lande came together as business owners and healing practitioners by separate paths.

Dummermuth, who began her career in graphic design, worked as a fitness instructor for 17 years, teaching yoga, Pilates and other group classes.

'Movement has been my medicine for many years,” she said. 'I've used it for myself and for getting people in touch with their own bodies.”

About three years ago, she tried singing bowl therapy for the first time and was impressed with the therapeutic benefits it provided. She became a certified sound healing practitioner and began offering therapy sessions in her home.

Lande's journey started on a more traditional medical path, with a nursing degree. She has 25 years of experience working as a nurse, most recently in home health care.

Over the years, Lande explored different forms of holistic treatment and saw how they benefited her patients. She became a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and completed Reiki training. She later trained to become an Integrative Reflexology practitioner.

Dummermuth and Lande met years ago when Lande joined a gym and took a fitness class from Dummermuth. They became friends and talked for years about finding a space to open a wellness business together.

When a spot recently opened in the Cherry Building in New Bohemia, the timing seemed right.

They opened Sage and Sole Empowering Practices in January.

In addition to holistic treatments, Sage and Sole will offer yoga and Pilates classes, train-the-trainer programs and continuing education for nurses.

l Know a small company is business for less than a year we should feature in 'The Ground Floor” Contact michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com.

At a Glance

l Owners: Maria Dummermuth and Kim Lande

l Business: Sage and Sole Empowering Practices

l Address: 329 10th Ave. SE, Suite 122, Cedar Rapids

l Telephone: (319) 270-4397

l Facebook: www.facebook.com/sageandsole