Imagine if each of us could learn to see the opportunities unfolding before us in every moment – in every triumph and in every disappointment—as doors opening us to our next best place. Is it possible? Yes, of course, but not always easy. Often, we get lost along the way.

Imagine if we had a beacon of light helping us to see more of who we are, helping us emerge from our own darkness. Where would we find this beacon? I believe such a beacon exists inside of each of us. Sometimes, though, we need help illuminating it. That kind of guiding light exists at Spirit of Light Wellness Studio, located in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Light on Self and Spirit

“We can become great navigators of the life we have been given. We can learn to see where we are going, even when we don’t recognize where we are. It is my mission to help people realize their greatest potential,” shared Colleen Behan, owner and director of Spirit of Light Studio (SOL). She has long been an agent of change, helping people who want to lead a more fully realized life and learn how best to use their talents in service of their higher self as well as others.

At SOL Studio, you will find an innovative selection of programs and services to help you turn on the inner light. In addition to private energy healing sessions and individual and group intuitive readings, there are workshops and classes designed to support personal and spiritual development.

“We have ongoing programs such as A Course In Miracles, Healing Through Dance, teachings on the Chakra System, and The Power of I, a self-empowerment class. We host trainings, including Medicinal Aromatherapy, Pineal Activation Certification, and Certified Energy Healing classes,” Colleen explained.

Many of the programs offered focus on self-education and empowerment so that an individual can learn and act from their strengths as they find their place in the world. The studio also hosts special events, including monthly group readings with our professional psychic and medium, spiritual movie night, and other programs that will bring people together in community and support of one another.

The capstone program is the Self-Mastery Program, developed by Colleen after considerable training in spiritual psychology and other energy healing modalities. Participants learn to transform beliefs and perceptions that keep them stuck. “Beginning a practice of Self-Mastery will put you on a continuous upward cycle to improving your experience in life,” Colleen says of the program.

The combination of her life experience, training and intuitive gifts, enables Colleen to guide clients through their life story, offering a whole new perspective on your experiences and a deep understanding of your purpose here this lifetime. “This program works with three main principles, Disciplined Mind, Clear Energy Field, and Connection to Spirit,” she explained.

“A few of my teaching intentions for the curriculum include learning how your Energy Field is a crucial component to what manifests in your life and understanding the role your thoughts play in getting —or not getting—what you want. We also work on manifestation, the role of Spirit and how to understand messages from Spirit.”

Awakening an Outlaw

Colleen is an ethereal guide, helping clients become aware, educated and begin to live with purpose, which is not something she always had for her own life. She knows first hand the struggles that people face when they awaken from and try to emerge from a lifetime of self-defeating behaviors, whether self-inflicted or due to circumstance.

“I was raised in an abusive, drug-addicted, alcoholic home around a gang of Outlaws. There definitely was not much healing going on. I am living proof that we can change our history, and heal from our wounds. I emerged from a life of suffering from childhood into early adulthood. I found a new way to live, to feel, to think, to be. I consider my life a teaching in itself, a true example of human evolution.”

Colleen remembers as far back as age nine, that adults confided in her and were amazed by her “wisdom.”

“When I was ten I decided I wanted to be a social worker, even though I don’t remember having any healers around me. I think I was born with some knowledge about Spirit. Information about other people’s path began to flow through me.”

When Colleen was able to “own” her intuitive skills she sought answers about what to do with it by enrolling in every workshop, class and certification she could get to. Colleen is certified in advanced EMF, Rebirthing/Breathwork, Reiki, and Pineal Activation. She also is a trainer is several of these modalities.

Priestess of Many Paths

In addition to the spiritual development and personal empowerment programs offered, SOL Studio is also home to Colleen’s other business, GROW: Business Building for the Healing Arts Community. GROW’s mission is to take the stress of advertising and business building out of the hands of the Healer and free them to do what they were born to do, naturally.

Colleen was inspired to establish this new business when she recognized a void in the services that marketing agencies could offer the healing arts community of businesses. “Most traditional agencies can find a market for, create flyers for, and build a website for a restaurant, a construction company, a medical group, and an insurance agency all in one day. Put them in front of a healer and they go “huh?” Most non-healers do not understand the nature of the practitioners of the healing arts community.”

Being able to “speak the language” of the healing arts community and understanding that most [healers] are in a constant state of developing and honing their gifts and talents, Colleen is able to “facilitate and support who the healer is at heart and reflect that in the marketing of their services and products.” GROW offers Business Building and Consulting, E-Marketing, Website Development and Communications

GROW serves the people of the Healing Arts Community including, artists, therapists, body workers, energy practitioners, teachers, and anyone with a mission to be of service in a healing way. However, this business is not new; Colleen has been providing these services for the past five years. “Now, it’s just more official and is ready to “grow” itself,” she added.

“The response has been incredible. Lives have been changed, business have grown prosperous. The one thing you don’t realize when you hire me for 'business' services that personal growth is inevitable.”

There are many services to choose from and within those a variety of options that Colleen customizes to the needs of the client. “I begin with a meeting and form an assessment of where they are and what their goals and needs are. Essentially, we are designing their vision. I make recommendations based on that and together we build a custom package.”

The best feature for healing arts practitioners is the way Colleen is able to keep her costs far under market price. Most consultants’ rates start around $70.00 per hour. Colleen’s fees fall below that barometer. She also is able to design a five page website for about $1,100.00 inclusive of design, layout and programming. How does she do it?

“The GROW Team makes it possible. We are skilled and experienced, knowledgeable about the needs and vision of the clients we serve, and recognize the higher purpose of what we do for our clients.”  It’s hard to believe GROW has just three key team members: Colleen, who handles consulting and project management, a graphics arts/designer and a programmer. “Our artist has roots in the healing arts and her own artwork is relevant to nature and spirit. Our programmer has 20 years experience in this field and also ran his own successful computer programming company,” she added.

You would think GROW and SOL studio would keep this enlightened lady busy. In addition to raising two children, Colleen also works for a local union in an administrative capacity. How does this Priestess of Many Paths keep her wits—and wisdom—about her?

My favorite healing/energizing practice is simply closing my eyes – where I can disappear into another dimension. It energizes me, like hitting the reset button. I also have a mentor that I see once a week; she keeps me on point to what’s important to me.”

It’s how I hold myself accountable to my commitment to walk in Spirit. I strive to stay grounded in all areas of my life. I have wonderful people in my life that mirror that back to me and I see life as one opportunity after another to know myself better, to be a better human, to embody spirit. I feel fortunate in that my work keeps me grounded. That the nature of my work surrounds me with healers and their passions. My hands are always touching something of higher consciousness. It’s my life’s work to be of service in a higher consciousness, higher vibrational way. To be a beacon of light. I can’t turn it off. It’s just the way it is.” And, as it should be. Light on!

Spirit of Light Wellness Studio's program room holds thirty people, and a private healing room equipped with massage table and chairs is available by the hour, day or week. Practitioners may rent these spaces. The rental fee includes marketing support.

GROW Services (for more details visit the website) ~ E-Marketing, Networking and electronic communication services to build a successful web presence and high visibility. • eNewsletters • Database building • Reciprocal linking • Web Banners, Internet, Ezine ads • Business Building • Coaching services designed to assist you during your professional transformation process • Business Visioning, Optimization & Expansion • Personal and professional development and Coaching.

Communications ~ Communicating with your target audience through print, public appearances and branding • Event design (workshops, teleclasses, lectures) • Flyer design and circulation • Business card and Logo design • Calendar and event listing write-up and placement • Print Ad design and placement • Articles – publishing and coach writing • Grand openings, Expos and Fairs.

Websites ~ Custom-made websites designed to represent you and your services. • Design and layout • Content – coach writing • Graphics • Programming. GROW, LLC, 1161 S Broad Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, (203) 641 3371, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.growsites.com.

Karen M. Rider, M.A. is a freelance writer specializing in holistic and metaphysical subjects. Her articles, profiles, book reviews and promotional copy appear in local, regional and national publications including Door Opener, Natural Nutmeg, Angels Among Us, Dream Network Journal and The Writer magazine. Karen also writes fiction centered on the awakening of human-spiritual potential. Her first novel is underway. She is co-writing “Eating . . .The Angel Way” with intuitive medium Annie Kelleher due to publish in 2010. Karen lives in Cromwell, CT. Learn more: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (860) 638-8140  Blog: www.thewritingparent.blogspot.com