We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deja Osborne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deja below.

Deja, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A couple months into my practice, I felt that I was beginning to hit a wall. Being a novice entrepreneur, recently laid off from my corporate job, I felt a sense of urgency in getting my business fully up and running. The problem was – I had no idea how I could connect people to the purpose behind my business and struggled to find my niche clientele.

Though I personally felt behind, I had made some strides within my Q1. I had just became contracted with a black, women owned clinic in Long Beach. As exciting as it was to join a community of likeminded medical professionals that looked like me, I still felt a sense of “imposture syndrome” working as a practitioner of a very new and often misunderstood form body work.

One of the clinic’s missions is use holistic methods to treat and reverse the mental and physical conditions that plague the African American community, such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and more. I struggled with the idea of how I could contribute to the clinic’s mission, and serve the community on a grander scale. I wanted to expand my grasp of ways that somatic therapy can benefit people on a larger scale.

I was then presented with the idea of hosting a group stretch segment between parent and child at a family holistic wellness event sponsored by the clinic. As excited as I was, my self doubt started to creep in considering my lack of experience in group led sessions. That wasn’t going to stop me from at least trying and making the most of the challenge.

I put in weeks of preparation, practice, and input from my loved ones to tailor my segment to the families in an efficient, safe, and fun way. I was so focused on the little things, that I didn’t fully consider the impact I would’ve made on the families that participated.

On the day of the event, I came in with high expectations for myself, and left with a sense of fulfillment from the connections that were built between the parent and child through somatic healing. Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughs, and watching the familial bonding through touch take place though my stretches melted all of my insecurities away. Speaking from the heart, and receiving great reception from sharing my passion outside of my comfortability reaffirmed that I am able to create a space for healing and connection in any environment.

Deja, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Deja Osborne, a young entrepreneur and certified stretch practitioner. In December of 2022, I started my baby, The Sanctuary Stretch Therapy.  I call my business my baby, because I am constantly investing so much love and energy towards it’s fruition and growth! I service my clients with assisted active stretches as a form of somatic therapy. Stretch therapy involves the slow movement of the body slightly past the point of its comfortability in order to improve flexibility, mobility, oxygen supply, bloodflow, and sleep.

I service clients who experience chronic lower back pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis or immobility throughout their body. I also service athletes, dancers, and geriatrics who are looking to restore their body to help optimize their overall help and physical performance.

Not only do I focus on the physical, but I make sure to give attention to my client’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Stretch therapy aids in moving and removing stored stress, trauma, and pain throughout the body.

The client and I will go through a one hour session, or “Flow”, starting off with an intentional saging and sharing of affirmations. Then I lead my client through varying breathing exercises, aroma therapy, and massage in addition to the stretch therapy flow.

What I find to be the most important aspect of what I do is the tone that I intentionally set to allow my clients to come into themselves and feel comfortable enough to relax the moment they step into the flow space. I’ve curated a sensory-calming healing space, or “Sanctuary”  to allow the body to relax and take in the movements that will yield optimal restorative benefits. I also tailor each Flow to how the client is feeling on that particular day, or to work towards a short or long term goal. I intend to equip my clients with as much care, knowledge, and resources I can provide so they can be the best version of themselves.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My passion for wanting to bridge the gap between the African American community and holistic healthcare has allowed my work to be regarded as a valuable part of the collective wellness community of healers. Opening up the space to share knowledge amongst myself, my clients, and other likeminded healers really drives us closer to rewriting the framework of the biological ailments that have plagued our communities for far too long. That message in itself has brought me into closer spaces with medical professionals and community leaders that inspire me.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think a sense of courage and vulnerability will move mountains, not just within the holistic wellness industry, but in any field. Even in times of uncertainty, you’re able to find some sense of grounding in the direction you’ve chosen to take when your authenticity shines through the work you do. Someone will almost always be more than willing to guide you through your trials if you admit that you’re needing an extra hand, and if you allow yourself to be seen without fear of judgement or comparison. There is always an opportunity for growth if you’re open to learning through your tougher experiences. While. there is a lot of physical work that’s required of an entrepreneur, the inner work will get you far,

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thesanctuarylb