Services at Prairiewoods

Holistic services support your spiritual journey and the integration of mind, body and spirit. Services include massage, reflexology, healing touch, spiritual direction, guided meditation and more. You may experience these services as part of a Day of Self Renewal or scheduled individually.

If you’re located in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion or the surrounding areas, or if you’ll be visiting Prairiewoods for a program, retreat or overnight stay, consider adding a massage or other holistic service to deepen your experience!

Massage, Reflexology & Healing Touch

Experience the healing power of touch and energy based therapy. Massage reduces muscle tension, decreases pain, increases joint mobility, reduces swelling, and increases blood and lymphatic flow. Massage relaxes and strengthens connective tissue and aids in the elimination of accumulated toxins and waste products. It is especially helpful in reducing the effects of stress and tension. Our practitioners offer both Swedish and Shiatsu massage.

Holistic services cost $65 for one hour.
Please note that our massage therapists’ schedules fill up quickly, so please book your holistic services when you reserve your room or several weeks before your visit to Prairiewoods.

If you would like to begin meeting with any holistic service provider, please contact our office at 319-395-6700 or ecospirit@prairiewoods.org or contact the provider with whom you would like to schedule a session.

Massage

Massage reduces muscle tension, decreases pain, increases joint mobility, reduces swelling, and increases blood and lymphatic flow. Massage relaxes and strengthens connective tissue and aids in the elimination of accumulated toxins and waste products. It is especially helpful in reducing the effects of stress and tension.

Reflexology

Thumb or finger pressure is applied to specific areas of the feet that correspond to organs throughout the body. As these areas are stimulated, the corresponding organs are stimulated, resulting in relaxation and improved organ functioning.

Healing Touch

This is an energy-based, therapeutic, spiritual approach to healing. It includes a variety of ancient natural healing and spiritual techniques to influence the energy system and promote physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Our Practitioners

Julio Vera

jvera@prairiewoods.org

Julio graduated from Carlson College of Massage Therapy in 2024. He specializes in therapeutic, deep tissue, muscle tension and relaxation massage. Born in Mexico, Julio is bilingual in English and Spanish. He recently moved to Iowa from New York City with his family who is local to the area. Julio is also a dance fitness instructor with a passion for helping others achieve their goals.

Nancy Hoffman, FSPA

nhoffman@fspa.org

Sister Nancy is one of six foundresses of Prairiewoods. She provides therapeutic massage, healing touch, tai chi, and a variety of programs on eco-spirituality and holistic health. Nancy has a bachelor’s degree in education, has a master’s degree in theology, is a trained spiritual director and is a licensed massage therapist. She is a life-long learner, treasuring all that the land (and its plants and animals), the Prairiewoods staff and our guests teach her.

Spiritual Direction

Prairiewoods has spiritual directors on staff who offer one-on-one spiritual direction. Spiritual direction has been part of Christian and non-Christian traditions from their very beginnings. It provides people with companionship on a spiritual journey. Spiritual direction might be ideal for you if you want to:

find wholeness and balance in life and connect with God, Allah, Tao, Universe or however you may refer to the Source of All Being
sense the integration of that Spirit within your daily life
explore our true nature as human beings
gain clarity and contentment with the direction of your life

Typically, spiritual direction sessions are one hour long and occur monthly and/or during a directed retreat of any length. Rates for spiritual direction are $40 – 60 per session.

If you would like to begin meeting with a spiritual director, please contact the office, at 319-395-6700, or contact the spiritual director with whom you would like to meet.

Our Spiritual Directors

A spiritual director or companion is a trained listener and questioner, a guide for your soul. Topics for discussion and discernment are determined by you, the directee. A director does not give you answers or steer you in any one direction. Rather, a spiritual director asks questions that help you focus on the sense of direction that is already inside you. Together, you listen to how God or the Source of All Being is at work in your life.

Ann Jackson, PBVM

ajackson@prairiewoods.org

Sister Ann is Prairiewoods’ coordinator of spiritual services. Blending love of nature, literature, leadership and spirituality, Ann delights in listening with others to the energy of Spirit stirring creativity, passion, discernment and service. Newly certified as a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, she is committed to mindful living and compassion, evolving consciousness, and personal and social transformation by bringing mindfulness to local and global communities. She enjoys offering spiritual direction and facilitation to individuals and groups.

Joann Gehling, FSPA

jgehling@prairiewoods.org

Sister Joann is one of Prairiewoods’ foundresses and has been on staff since it opened in 1996. She is available for spiritual direction, counseling, hosting retreats and healing touch spiritual ministry. Joann has a doctorate in ministry with a concentration in feminist theology and psychology.

Leslie Schwarting

lschwarting@prairiewoods.org

Leslie S. is a full-time spiritual director and retreat facilitator at Prairiewoods. As a wife, mother of three adult women and former hospital executive, Leslie’s journey has led her to profound joy in serving this ministry. Her extensive corporate background, which includes leading large teams, strategic planning, project management and business development, as well as her spiritual direction training, have uniquely prepared her for this role. She finds great fulfillment in supporting others as they seek to deepen their connection to the Divine, themselves and others, and is deeply empathetic to their personal and spiritual growth.

Lucille Winnike, FSPA

lwinnike@prairiewoods.org

Sister Lucille ministers as a retreat director and spiritual director. Earlier ministries include teaching and administration in Catholic schools, as well as administration within her community. Lucille has a master’s degree in mathematics from Notre Dame University, where she later did further studies in spirituality and interned as a spiritual director. She says, “Many persons who come here experience the richness and healing powers of Prairiewoods itself, of Mother Earth, of God. It is my privilege to meet with some of those people.”

Meditation & Mindfulness

Lead your imagination on a journey of contemplation and reflection to help you grow and come to healthy realizations. As you let go of your thoughts, your subconscious is able to follow the practitioner’s words. Guided Meditation helps you achieve deep relaxation and release negative emotions or beliefs.

The fee for Guided Meditation is $50.

To schedule, contact Ann Jackson, PBVM, at ajackson@prairiewoods.org or 319-395-6700, ext. 203.

Day of Self Renewal

Need a full day of rejuvenation? We offer a Day of Self Renewal several times a month, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For just $110, you get two holistic services, group meditation practices, a private guest room for the day, lunch and access to all Prairiewoods has to offer (or $95 without a private guest room).

Gift Certificates

Unsure which service you or a loved one will want? Purchase a gift certificate for any dollar amount or for one of these popular options: Day of Self Renewal with Guest Room – $110, Overnight Stay in the Guest House with breakfast OR 1-Hour Holistic Service – $65, 1-Hour Spiritual Direction – $50, Day Stay with Lunch – $45.