In our fast paced, contemporary society, people may be accomplishing a great deal, but at what cost? A busy lifestyle is only sustainable if we can stay healthy along the way. Enlightened self-care is about balance. It’s reflective of nourishment on all levels; mind, body, and spirit. And the best way to maintain this healthy equilibrium is by cultivating our daily awareness.

All of these elements factored into Ellen Perkins’ decision to open Gaia’s Gifts in 2015. She says, “It was my time to shift from the 9 to 5 life to living my Mind*Body*Spirit life.” As Ellen quickly discovered, there were quite a few others in her local community with similar feelings. In fact, the phone started ringing before she could even plan an opening event for the 300-square foot store. 

Ellen started simply, with incense, tapestries, essential oils, and Himalayan salt lamps, gradually moving into a more adventurous array of unique/artisan gifts and natural wellness supplies from yoga mats, to crystals, to CBD products, medicinal tea blends, aromatherapy treatments, and more. As she continued listening to her growing following, she kept adding more elements, until what began as a cool gift shop evolved into a gracious community sanctuary ensconced in a wellness boutique. 

The community response to Ellen’s eclectic array of healing options was so positive that demand grew exponentially, ultimately reaching a point where Ellen had to expand her store to meet it. After just a few years, she took her original 300-square foot space up to 1200 square feet which allowed her to dramatically enrich her inventory. 

Ellen continued to integrate natural healing tools, rituals, and experiences based on what people were hungry for. One of many wellness experiences at Gaia’s Gifts involves the BioMat. This is also called hot crystal therapy, as these mats are partly comprised of amethyst crystal to produce a unique signal of infrared light. This phototherapy provides a gentle, enveloping warmth like an infrared sauna. The Bio Mat is believed to help relieve chronic pain, joint stiffness, stress, and anxiety, improve sleep, and assuage inflammation, among other benefits. If you have not yet had a BioMat nap, you have a soothing treat in store.  

Ellen continues to nurture the community with fun, unique events and workshops, including sound bath healing, Japa meditation, rug hooking, tarot card reading, and more, including her Conversation with Crystals event, in which she focuses on 4-5 crystals and how to incorporate them into your life. 

Another sought after offering is her monthly Gong Bath/Sound Journey event where visitors can experience the rolling vibration of a 39” gong in a sound meditation. As Ellen explains, the gong vibrates the cells in your body to shake up and loosen stuck beliefs, energies, and toxins, moving them out to promote healing and new outlooks.  

Over time, the beautiful Gaia’s Gifts hybrid of gift shop and wellness center has also come to represent an oasis of compassion and serenity in the local space. In fact, Ellen keeps a large, cushy chair accessible where friends and patrons can come and “clear” as needed or just tune in to a peaceful vibe. 

People almost invariably seem to feel better when they leave Gaia’s Gifts, whether that’s due to a holistic treatment, one of Greg’s famous hugs, the intangible energy of the many crystals, aromatherapy, and healing botanicals, or simply being warmly welcomed in an atmosphere of soothing, healthy serenity. As Ellen has stated, “Gaia’s Gifts surrounds and uplifts us every day and I hope when you come, you feel that too.” Namaste!

Location: 16 Broad St., Unit #1, Washington. Hours: Tu-Fri: 11am-5:30pm; Sat: 10am-5pm; Closed Sun/Mon. For more information, call 908-223-1331 or visit facebook.com/GaiasGifts16/ and instagram.com/gaias_gifts. GaiasGifts.net. See ad, page 21.