Exploring Life & Business with Sondra Pieters of Healing Hearts Breathwork & Reiki Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sondra Pieters.

Sondra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into Breathwork began long before I ever called it that. It started with my son — my greatest teacher — who is on the autism spectrum. I wanted to understand how to help him regulate, to bring more calm and connection into his world. That search led me to study the nervous system and energy work, and eventually to become certified in Reiki.

What began as a mother’s desire to help her child slowly grew into a deeper awakening. I discovered that the same tools I was learning for him were transforming me, too. Reiki opened my awareness to the subtle ways energy moves through the body, and how stress, emotion, and trauma can shape the way we breathe, feel, and respond to life.

Somewhere along that path, Breathwork entered the picture — almost by accident, but it felt more like divine timing. From the first session, something shifted. The breath cut through years of tension and overthinking, and what I found beneath it all was stillness — a calm I hadn’t known was possible. I knew right away this was a path I needed to follow.

Becoming a certified Breathwork facilitator was a natural extension of that calling. The practice taught me that healing doesn’t require fixing — it asks for presence, curiosity, and breath. I began sharing sessions with others and watched as people softened, opened, and came back to themselves. It’s been humbling and beautiful to witness.

Healing Hearts Studio was born from that vision — a space created with intention, compassion, and community. Here, we breathe to reconnect with our bodies, regulate our nervous systems, and release what we’ve carried for too long. It’s a sanctuary where healing isn’t forced — it unfolds.

Through Breathwork, Reiki, and integrative coaching, I’ve come to believe this simple truth:
when we learn to breathe deeply, we begin to live deeply.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When we opened Healing Hearts, I knew it would take courage — but I didn’t realize how much faith it would ask of me. Building a space dedicated to healing sounds beautiful (and it is), but it’s also been one of the most stretching, humbling experiences of my life.

There have been seasons where classes were small, where marketing felt like shouting into the wind, and where I questioned whether the vision was too much for a small town to embrace. We’ve faced construction setbacks, tech hiccups, and those quiet moments of wondering if people would really show up once the doors opened.

But here’s the truth: every challenge has deepened my trust in the work. Healing isn’t quick, and neither is building something that holds it. This studio was never meant to be a business built overnight — it’s a labor of heart, and it’s teaching me patience, perseverance, and surrender.

Each time someone walks through the door and exhales for the first time in a long while, I’m reminded why I keep going. Healing Hearts continues to grow — not just in size, but in depth, connection, and purpose.

Because real healing doesn’t happen in a straight line. It happens in the pauses, the pivots, and the breaths we take along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Healing Hearts Breathwork & Reiki Studio?
Healing Hearts Breathwork & Reiki Studio was founded with one clear mission — to help people reconnect with themselves through mindful healing. We specialize in Breathwork, Reiki, and Integrative Coaching, offering practices that calm the nervous system, release stored emotion, and restore balance to body and mind.

What sets Healing Hearts apart is the deeply personal and compassionate way we hold space. Each session — whether private, small group, or community-based — is intentional and trauma-informed, designed to help people feel safe, supported, and genuinely seen.

Located in Firestone, the studio has become known as a peaceful sanctuary where people can truly exhale. We work with first responders, veterans, parents, and professionals seeking stress relief, clarity, or reconnection to self.

Healing Hearts was born from my own journey of learning to regulate my nervous system and support my son, who is on the autism spectrum. That personal experience shapes everything we do — from the space’s atmosphere to the way we guide each breath.

As we grow, our offerings are expanding to include Yoga, Yin Yoga, and Sound Journeys, creating a full wellness experience centered on breath, balance, and belonging.

At Healing Hearts, we believe healing doesn’t have to be complicated — it begins with a single, intentional breath.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned since opening Healing Hearts, it’s that none of this happens in isolation. Growth — both personal and professional — is built on connection.

Networking used to intimidate me; I thought it meant small talk and business cards. But what I’ve found most useful is showing up as myself — curious, open, and genuine. The best connections have come from real conversations with people who share a desire to make a difference, not just an exchange of services.

Mentorship has been another gift. I’ve learned the value of asking questions, of letting others pour into me, and of receiving guidance without losing my own voice. The right mentors don’t hand you answers — they help you uncover the ones already inside you.

Whether through the Chamber, local collaborations, or just sharing coffee with another entrepreneur, these relationships have taught me that community is medicine. We rise by learning, sharing, and breathing together — one honest conversation at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healingheartsbreathwork.org/
• Instagram: @Healing_hearts_breathwork
• Facebook: Healing hearts Breathwork & Reiki