If you ask the Coalition of Healers, there isn’t just one way to heal. The 19-member coalition of healers from across the state provide access to a variety of methodologies. Their mission is to empower others to show there's more than one way to heal.

“There's a lot of resources available to us that [many are] not aware of, and we shouldn't be confined to using one or another in terms of our overall health care,” said Emily Hart, coalition director and owner of Indigo Thrive.

Hart’s journey into alternative healing began when she was looking for an alternative way to treat her own health issues. She looked into a variety of methods— it was a comprehensive approach, she said.

“I was getting weekly infusions [from her medical provider] and then it became monthly infusions,” Hart said. “I finally reached a point of deciding that I was done with all of it and I just wanted to be better.”

It’s now been three years since Hart has needed an infusion.

Hart opened Indigo Thrive in 2019 and went full-time at the business in 2022. While operating Indigo Thrive Hart founded the coalition in 2021. It all started with just three members but has grown within the last eight months.

“It just became quite clear that there were just a lot of resources that were available that even in our small rural communities,” Hart said, adding some of the businesses weren’t even aware of each other.

“If we have all these resources available to us in the arsenal, why wouldn't we want to use that to maximize our health,” Hart asked.

Offerings in downtown Powell

Gravity Health and Wellness in Powell is one of those resources. The new business just held its grand opening on May 16 after being open for several months to ensure the community was aware of its services, including Ayurveda, an ancient integrative health practice, McInally said. 

She joined the Coalition a couple of months ago after a chatting with Hart while visiting local businesses.

“I was really interested, like that is the coolest thing that we have this big group of people in Wyoming,” McInally said. 

The coalition has been a good community for McInally. Those who visit the website can discover healers across the state.

“It helped me grow my business,” McInally said. “They ask me … ‘Well, how did you find out about it?’ And then I share Indigo Thrive, and people will go and you know, talk to her so I feel like it's a win/win on both sides.”

Becky Erkilla, a registered nurse of 17 years is owner of Hope Healing Haven, which first opened its doors in October and is a member of the coalition.

The business focuses on a type of neuro-feedback called the Othmer Method, which has been around for decades, she said. The method is helpful with a variety of health issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, seizures and addictions. The business also has a SoQi bed, which combines massage and soothing music to increase relaxation, and a qi machine that relaxes nerves and muscles and improves energy flow, as well as relieving tension in the back, neck and shoulders. They also incorporate FAR Infared treatments to detoxify the body of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxins.

“It's actually kind of like passive exercise,” Erkilla said. “It increases your oxygenation, increases your lymph flows; you know, it's very relaxing, and it kind of helps align your spine.”

People are tired of Western medicine’s basic model, she said. Many want a wellness plan of putting your body in the environment where it can just heal itself and be healthy.

She is not downplaying Western medicine. Preventative care is important, she emphasized.

Hart and Erkilla have both observed that COVID played a role in growing interest in alternative health and wellness practices. 

“We don't take the initiative to stay healthy. So we need to switch that around,” she said. “We need places like this and the massage and all the other things that the coalition offers. So we can stay healthy. Invest in your health.”

An electronic phonebook

For those looking to invest in health, the coalition is like an “electronic phonebook” Hart said. The website was created by Benjamin Cloud and currently houses 15 pages of members with more in the works. 

The coalition focuses on education in creating the directory of healers, she said, adding the site also helps provide support for members.

The physical hub of the coalition is at Hart’s Indigo Thrive. The shop sells coalition member products and also offers space for members to offer services weekly and monthly services. They are also planning to offer classes for the community.

Information on upcoming events or services can be found on the coalition Facebook page, their website or Indigo Thrive’s online portal.

For more information: coalitionofhealers.com