Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MJ Heart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
MJ, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
Inclusivity, vulnerability, and authenticity are the words that come to mind when I think about leaving behind a legacy. As a yoga teacher, spiritual guide, and intuitive healer, my work is my life and my life is an expression of my inner work that moves out into the world. I strive to create a space where people can come together, regardless of their background, and take down some of the walls built up against the world to reveal the rawness, the realness, the humanness of the journey we are all moving through. I honor that there are many ways in which we find healing, and that one of the greatest gifts we can provide for each other is the ability to be exactly who we are – without fear or judgement of being seen.
MJ, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Mary Elizabeth Wolf, but I go by MJ Heart. I’ve been in the Health & Wellness Industry since 2008 when I completed massage school training and dived right into the world of self-employment, independent contracting, and a wild ride of coming to understand what health or wellness can really mean.
My grandfather was my first teacher in childhood, a professional athlete, bodyworker, & home grown herbalist, he taught me about the grand beauty of the body as a multi-faceted mechanism. Later in life, after dropping out of art school, I graduated from massage therapy school with gold stars and began working at a spa, which I soon figured out was not my scene. Rather than pampering people and giving them fluffy luxury (which is a great treat sometimes), I knew I wanted to move into the therapeutic aspects of massage and help people heal from injury, deal with chronic stress, and learn techniques to take home for self-care that extended beyond the table.
Having studied Qi Healing + Qigong for a number of years, I began working at a local yoga studio (I think there were about 3 in my area at the time) as a therapeutic & holistic massage therapist, incorporating reiki energy healing into my offerings as well as teaching children Qigong in the space. It was here that I decided to train to become a yoga teacher and I spent 12 months studying with various teachers from around the country in multiple modalities of yoga, graduating in 2012, I immediately started my teaching journey at Kula Heart Yoga weekly.
In my time since then, my world has expanded significantly blending ancient wisdom with modern modalities which allow me to serve my clients and community through a practical lens of modern medicinal therapies + psychologies alongside the mystic traditions from ancient spiritual lineages + practices. I primarily work privately, one-on-one or in small group settings, offering various “medicines” like Thai bodywork, traditional massage, reflexology, craniosacral work, reiki healing, aura brushing, card reading, smudging, chanting, herbal teas, home rituals, and more. I’ve learned over the years that the best way to honor the primary spiritual concept – we are one – is to honor the diversity that comes from that source of primal creativity and expression.
My studio, Palo Santo Yoga & Wellness, is a little slice of these services in South Philly. We host an array of community events and workshops that come from multiple backgrounds with facilitators of unique traditions including sound baths, ecstatic dances, cacao ceremonies, kirtans, acupuncture application, energy meditations and more.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the hardest things I’ve had to unlearn since taking ownership of my business is the drive, determination, and independence of trying to do everything alone.
Being from a family of self-driven + hard workers, I’ve always been able to manage what I take on, but as I’ve grown the strength and resilience over time to take on more and more, I’ve had to come to the realization that the workload comes at a cost of not getting to appreciate what you’ve created. A big part of my journey over the last few years has been learning how to delegate tasks and work, without micro-managing or trying to keep my hand in the pot – because one thing that this has taught me, is the realization of how, when you have people working alongside you in a common goal, the load becomes lighter and the people who really want to help you, actually find joy in the helping.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Despite being in an industry where most people are thought to be “higher-minded” and more kind and open and etc… there is still a background of drama, whispering, rumors, dislike, and all the usual societal things that come with being human in a world of competition, money, aesthetic, and industry.
I built my reputation the same way I built my techniques and abilities, one lesson at a time, one hurdle at a time, but always with the intention to keep an open mind, a compassionate heart, and an adaptable mindset to change and transition. Holding the space at my studio, I strive to be open and real with my students and share myself in a vulnerable manner that allows space for others to be and feel the same. I honor this same expression within all of my teachers, my team of leaders who support our community and radiate the same essence of acceptance, compassion, wisdom, empathy, and knowledge that serves those who are seeking for healing within or community outside of self.
I wouldn’t have such a sweet space of love if it were not filled with a group of people I count as family, honoring the path we walk collectively.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.palosantowellnessboutique.com
- Instagram: @yogapalosantowellness