543 Wellness – A Harmonious Sanctuary in Uncertain Times

By Kat Murti

In this day of foreclosures, bank failures and massive job losses, the world contains no shortage of stress. But one alternative healing center in the heart of the Castro promises to act as a sanctuary.

“There’s a lot of struggles with the economy and a lot of people are up against a lot of problems making life more hectic and stressful,” said Adriana Marchione, the woman responsible for bringing 543 Wellness to life. “We help people find a different pace of life that will maybe be more healthy for their mind and body and maybe more connected to their relationships and work life and that kind of thing.”

In September of 2006, Marchione and her husband, Eddie, visited the office space located at 543 Castro St. hoping to create a group of independent alternative healing practitioners working together to form a social support network. Plans were set back when her husband succumbed to lung cancer the next summer, but according to Adriana, his presence is still felt at the center.

“The space kind of changed and some people left and some people came in,” Marchione said. “(But) there are a lot of ways in which I feel his presence has really been a part of starting the space. He really pushed for a lot of things that happened in the space and to create the environment that it has become.”

The Marchiones’ brainchild only fully came into being as 543 Wellness six months ago, but it remains essentially what they dreamed of two years prior. The center now houses seven independent alternative practitioners, including Marchione, who practice a wide range of healing arts – everything from art therapy to acupuncture to massage – as well as a smattering of unaffiliated offices.

“We’re all independent practitioners and we all come together basically to give an identity to the space so people can find us and we can do some joint marketing,” said Daniela Freda, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who has worked at the space since the beginning. “We don’t work for someone else, so we all really care about our individual businesses, so we’re all really motivated to thrive in that way.”

Though their practices are independent of each other, all the practitioners share a holistic approach to healing.

“We really encourage people to take care of themselves in mind, body, and spirit,” said Freda. “We’re not just offering a band-aid approach, but we encourage people to really go deep and take care of themselves.”

The healers said they felt that the space in which they practice plays a huge role in the experience they create for their clientele, which ranges from people looking for a relaxing massage to clients with various ailments – everything from colds to addictions. Reflecting this need for a sanctuary, 543 Wellness is designed to be welcoming and calming with hardwood floors, earthy tones and plenty of natural light.

Falguni Khanna, who practices yoga, ayurveda – or traditional Indian medicine – and reiki, a type of energy healing from Japan, said she feels that the center’s energy helps create balance for people coming in from what she sees as a very visual Castro that can create strong external tension.

“When it comes to the lights, the sounds, the location itself, it’s very visual and attractive, and then you have someplace like 543 Wellness which helps you take that inward journey,” said Khanna. “It’s something where, with the Castro, you get both in and out.”

Pamela Rossin, a certified massage technician working in the space since November of 2006, said the space and her fellow practitioners inspire her in her healing work.

“I feel like there’s something really special about the vibe of the place because it’s beautiful,” said Rossin. “It’s incredible how you can step off the Castro into this sanctuary of healing.”

543 Wellness is located at 543 Castro St. between Market and 18th streets. For more information visit 543wellness.com.

Copyright 2009 Castro Courier