August ushered in a new era for Lopez alternative and complimentary healthcare.

On Aug. 1, the new organization Healing Energy Arts of Lopez took over real estate next to The Lovedog Cafe.

H.E.A.L is the brain child of Deborah Bonnville and Julienne Battalia who say they are “really excited” about the business. The guiding concept of the project was to unify several different practitioners of alternative healthcare under one roof.

The idea of centralizing the Lopez health community has been on Battalia’s mind for several years. She had been seeking to relocate her business, Lopez Acupuncture and Integrated Health, into a bigger space and combine it with other practioners. “I have been on a search for two and half years for a larger space that can become a more group therapy center.”

She was not alone in her enthusiasm. Other practioaners were equally excited to pursue the idea, “we had meetings and meetings, but the one thing missing was the place,” says Battalia.

Becasue not everyone was able to be included in the current building, the two see this move as the first step, “There is a very active healing community on lopez and we only represent part of that, we hope in the future to have a much larger healing center on lopez,” says Bonnville.

As it stands, H.E.A.L. represents approximately 12 people offering a variety of complimentary and alternative healthcare modalities. These include: acupuncture, accupressur and craniosacral therapy, massage and body therapy, East Asian nutrition and herbal medicine, jin shin jyutsu, mental health counseling, reike, and rolfing,

The center will host an open house on Sept. 4 and will offer short, 15-minute sessions of any modality for free.

For more information about acupuncture, accupressur and craniosacral therapy contact Battalia at 468-3239. For all other treatments, call Bonnville on 468-4842.