• It removes unnecessary effort from the body
• It allows muscles to fully soften instead of subtly holding
• It supports the nervous system in shifting out of “doing” mode
• It creates a sense of safety and containment
• It helps the breath move more freely and naturally
• It makes rest feel accessible, not forced
• It teaches the body how to rest, not just think about resting
01/20/2026
A powerful reminder:
Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It happens quietly, gently, step by step.
And you don’t need to rush it. 🤍
01/19/2026
Equanimity is not something we either have or do not have. It is a skill that is built slowly, through repetition, awareness, and patience. It is the ability to remain steady and centered when life feels challenging, not because things are easy, but because you have learned how to stay with yourself through them.
This kind of inner steadiness comes from a regulated nervous system. It is built in the small moments when you pause instead of pushing, when you breathe instead of bracing, when you notice your body before reacting. It is built when you choose practices that support safety and presence rather than urgency and force.
And yes, this is hard work.
It asks you to slow down in a world that rewards speed. It asks you to feel what is uncomfortable instead of bypassing it. It asks for consistency, even on days when it would be easier to disconnect or numb out.
Equanimity does not mean being unaffected. It means being anchored. It means having an inner calm that protects your peace while still allowing you to meet life honestly and fully.
This is a practice. One breath, one choice, one moment at a time.
It’s one of the reasons we created The Healing Loft and the experiences within it.
01/18/2026
A few books that have deeply influenced my yoga + spiritual journey ✨
Anatomy of the Spirit — Carolyn Myss
The Heart of Yoga – T.K.V. Desikachar
Autobiography of a Yogi – Paramahansa Yogananda
The Four Agreements — Don Miguel Ruiz
Atlas of the Heart — Brené Brown
Light on Yoga – B.K.S. Iyengar
Yin Yoga – Bernie Clark
Love Letter to The Earth — Thích Nhất Hạnh
Fierce Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff
Radical Acceptance — Tara Brach
Journey to the Heart — by Melody Beattie
Eastern Body, Western Mind — Anodea Judith
Breath — James Nestor
Tiny Habits – BJ Fogg
You Are Awesome – Neil Pasricha
The Relaxation Response – Dr. Herbert Benson
What’s one book that changed the way you see the world?
01/17/2026
Move slow enough to notice what’s ready to release. 🙏🏼🤍✨
01/15/2026
✨Reminder
The moments that matter most are rarely the rushed ones. They’re the simple, everyday ones we don’t always slow down enough to notice.
✨waking up feeling rested instead of already behind
✨a coffee with a friend where no one checks the time
✨a home-cooked meal that isn’t squeezed in between plans
✨moving slowly enough to notice how you feel
✨a cup of tea and good book before bed
✨choosing presence over productivity
✨enjoying what’s already here instead of what’s next
✨a pet curled up beside you
✨appreciating a simple routine that supports you
✨warm socks, a cozy sweater, or a favourite blanket
✨sunlight coming through a window
✨being greeted like you’re the best thing in the world
✨being able to move without pain
✨feeling thankful for people who feel safe to be around
✨bending down and standing back up easily
✨noticing your mind feels quiet for once
✨being surrounded by nature.
✨hearing your child laugh
✨spending unrushed and unplugged time with family
✨appreciating a slow start or gentle ending to the day
A full life isn’t built from rushing.
It’s built from noticing. 🫶🏼
01/13/2026
Step into a fully prepared space designed for rest.
Restorative Sound Bath ✨🫶🏼
Wednesday February 4 at 7:30PM
When was the last time you truly rested?
Join Sarah for a restorative yoga experience paired with an immersive sound bath. Supported postures and layered sound gently calm the nervous system, allowing the body to soften and release without effort.
Perfect if you’re feeling tired, overstimulated, emotionally full, or simply craving stillness.
Arrive. Exhale. Rest. 🤍
01/12/2026
The chakras are areas of the body and nervous system that hold information, experience, and memory.
Each chakra relates to a different aspect of being human: safety, creativity, confidence, love, expression, intuition, and connection.
When life feels overwhelming, stressful, or stuck, these centres often reflect it. This is because the body is responding intelligently to what it’s been through.
Through yoga, meditation, breathwork, Reiki, sound, and restorative practices, we gently support the nervous system so these energy centres can soften and reorganize naturally.
✨Grounding practices support the root chakra, helping the body feel safe and settled
✨Slow, fluid movement and breath nourish the sacral chakra, supporting creativity and emotional flow
✨Strength, boundaries, and breath awareness support the solar plexus, our sense of self and confidence
✨Restorative practices and hands-on healing open the heart chakra, allowing space for compassion and repair
✨Voice, intention, and stillness support the throat and third eye, encouraging clarity and trust
✨Meditation and deep rest support the crown, reminding us we’re connected to something larger than effort alone
We don’t force energy to move. We create conditions for the body to feel safe enough to let go.
This is subtle work.
And it’s powerful.
✨
01/11/2026
Using Cards as a Meditation Practice
Meditation doesn’t always have to start with silence.
Sometimes it starts with a question.
An image.
A single word that gives your mind somewhere gentle to land.
Pulling a card can be a beautiful doorway into meditation. Not for answers, but for awareness.
How to use cards for meditation:
✨Take one slow breath before you pull
✨Ask a soft question like “What wants my attention today?”
✨Pull one card — no analysis, no overthinking
✨Sit with the image, colour, or word
✨Let it become your anchor instead of your breath
✨When the mind wanders, return to the card’s feeling
There’s no need to “figure it out.” Let the message unfold through sensation, not logic.
Save this for your next practice 🤍
01/09/2026
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Mindfulness of Breathing
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I dwell in the present moment.
Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment.
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Anne-Marie Caicco, Sarah Fratesi, and Sheila Paluzzi co-founded The Healing Loft in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada in 2018. The Healing Loft is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary wellness center, designed to meet varying wellness needs of individuals, couples, families, and groups in our community.
The Healing Loft is located at 719 Queen Street East in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, a few steps away from the beautiful St. Mary’s River and the boardwalk. This second floor loft houses our three separate client rooms, as well as a spacious studio space for classes, workshops, courses, corporate wellness events, and our Change Process Retreats.
Our vision is to create a space where everyone feels welcome, safe and accepted and to enhance the overall wellness of our clients and community.
Our Mission is to provide enriching and authentic experiences to support the health and wellness of our clients and our students. We support them to align with their highest potential and connect to their sense of self-empowerment. We offer a variety of services which focus on overall wellness in all aspects of self: physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual. This page will keep you informed as to what we are teaching, when we are teaching, and where! Also, visit this page for inspirational quotes, and information and insights about living your healing journey.
Services Offered:
individual therapy
marital/couples therapy
family therapy
clinician consultation and training
Reiki certification (all levels)
Reiki Master Teacher Training Programs
various wellness workshops
yoga classes (various styles)
wellness coaching
fitness classes (various types)
individual healing sessions (Healing Touch and Reiki)
private/semi-private yoga sessions
corporate wellness workshops
Change Process Retreats
Please see our separate biographies below for more information on our services, as well as our personal websites and The Healing Loft’s website: www.thehealingloftssm.com.
Anne-Marie Caicco B.Ed, HTCP, CRMT
Anne-Marie is a trained Master Practitioner and Teacher of the Usui and Karuna® methods of Japanese Reiki. She is also a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner and an Access Bars® Practitioner. In addition, she has studied Applied Physiology, the Complete Agape Quest, the Seven Chi Keys and the Dyslexia Hologram with the Institute of Bioenergetic Arts and Sciences. She is trained in Therapeutic Touch, Touch for Health, Axiatonal Alignment, EFFT, and as a Life Coach with the Women Together Agency in London, Ontario. Anne-Marie is also a Crystal Reiki Master and she continues to study and teach Advanced Level Reiki Degrees. She is also certified in the doTERRA AromaTouch® Technique. Anne-Marie currently offers private healing sessions, distance healing sessions, group workshops, Reiki Courses, and she teaches both The Reiki Master Teacher Program and The Grand Master Reiki Teacher Program. Anne-Marie is enrolled in The Healing Touch Program™ Instructor Training Course, and is excited to begin teaching Healing Touch courses in the near future. Anne-Marie is available to travel with her courses, and offers her courses both online as well as in person. Reiki Courses may be taken in a group, or one-on-one. In addition to her hands-on healing sessions, Anne-Marie provides distance healing sessions internationally, either over the phone or on Zoom. Please contact Anne-Marie directly for more details at amcaicco@hotmail.com or at 705.992.3139 or see her websites: annemariecaicco.com and thehealingloftssm.com.
Sarah Fratesi B.S.Ed, E-RYT200, YACEP, PTS, CRMP
Sarah is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, Canfit Personal Training Specialist, Esthetician, and a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner. She is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Sarah offers a variety of yoga and fitness classes, including Yin Yoga, Vinayasa Flow, Power Yoga, Yoga with Essential Oils, Yoga for Beginners, TRX, and Restorative Yoga. As an Esthetician, she provides facial treatments using microdermabrasion and ultrasonic technology, as well as manicures, pedicures and waxing services. In addition, she offers private, corporate and small group yoga classes by appointment. A teacher by trade, Sarah has always been passionate about education and is a firm believer in the importance of life-long learning as a means to grow, become inspired and better serve others. Yoga has taught her to live each moment more mindfully and to always be grateful. Her classes combine creative sequencing, breath awareness and a connection to both mind and body. For more information, contact Sarah at sarahcaicco@hotmail.com or call/text 705.542.3371.
Sheila Paluzzi MSW, RSW, CRMP
Sheila has worked with individuals, couples and families in Sault Ste. Marie for over twelve years providing treatment for a variety of issues and mental health concerns. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Social Work. Sheila is trained in many evidenced based interventions such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy, and Family Based Therapy. She specializes in Emotion Focused Family Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy. In addition, she is a certified clinical trainer and consultant for Emotion Focused Family Therapy and Co-director of Mental Health Foundations www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca. Sheila has worked as an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University as well as facilitated clinical training and various workshops and webinars throughout her career. She has a great passion for and dedication to working with people and supporting them in their process to self empowerment and wellness. For more information about Sheila visit her website at: www.sheilapaluzzi.com or call 705.941.0647
