Interview with Rhonda Bruce, owner/operator of Balanced~Energy~Wellness (Drum circles, Qigong/Simplified Tai Chi and Energy Healing)
Can you please share a little bit about your journey from childhood to where you are today. When you look back, do you see anything that hinted at the career you would eventually embrace?
I have a gypsy soul which I contribute to my family moving around for my dad's job with Overwaitea. I was born on Vancouver Island, have lived in every part of Beautiful BC, and spent 20 years in Alberta. I have a strong connection to both provinces and go back and forth twice a year sharing my drum program along the way. My gypsy soul has been enjoying facilitating drum circles around AB and BC for 11 years.
I was often the new kid in school. That helped me become quick to adapt to being in different environments, and meeting people which I do a lot with my business. I learned early how to connect easily with others by finding out about them and the commonalities we shared. I often do this in my drum circles, classes and energy balancing treatments as I love the connection, learning about others, and find they feel welcomed and comfortable.
What inspired you to found Balanced ~ Energy ~ Wellness? What challenges do you face as an entrepreneur? What comes easy for you? What is a challenge to deal with?
Helping others on their wellness journey inspired me. I have lived with chronic pain most of my life. That lead me to try different modalities to help myself. I went to an energy healer in Montana who inspired me to dive in energy healing. That started my Reiki journey. In 1995 , I saw an ad for Qigong after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I had a newborn and a 3 year old. I didn't have time to learn something new. Many years later, I saw an other add on Facebook 3 times. I figured it was a sign from the Universe to try it. I went to the first class with a sore shoulder. I left feeling so much better and knew I had to dive deeper into it and teach it. My youngest son inspired my drumming journey. The fitness component came from my passion of working out. Someone sent me a video of cardio drumming and said "Rhonda, you should do this!" We had cardio drumming at the school I worked at a times over the years. When I saw the video, it felt like a natural fit to add to Balanced Energy Wellness.
Marketing is the most challenging for me as a solopreneur. Facilitating/teaching come the easiest for me. I love it!
All of the services you offer have one thing in common - you work with people to lift them up and improve their lives? What do you love most about being hands on and close to clients? Do your relationships become more personal?
I love that you see the common thread! I love the connection, getting to know them, seeing their smiles, and hearing they feel better in some small way. I have met so many phenomenal, inspiring people through what I do, and yes, I've also made many friends.
What is the best way for anyone interested to connect with you or find out more about upcoming events?
My Facebook page Balanced Energy Wellness Drumming & Qigong is where I post all my community events and it is the best way to connect with me.
I would love to close with a favorite personal quote that is your go to.
Favorite quote: "Our health is our greatest wealth".
Motto I live by: Carpe Diem (Seize the day).
Links -
I have a gypsy soul which I contribute to my family moving around for my dad's job with Overwaitea. I was born on Vancouver Island, have lived in every part of Beautiful BC, and spent 20 years in Alberta. I have a strong connection to both provinces and go back and forth twice a year sharing my drum program along the way. My gypsy soul has been enjoying facilitating drum circles around AB and BC for 11 years.
I was often the new kid in school. That helped me become quick to adapt to being in different environments, and meeting people which I do a lot with my business. I learned early how to connect easily with others by finding out about them and the commonalities we shared. I often do this in my drum circles, classes and energy balancing treatments as I love the connection, learning about others, and find they feel welcomed and comfortable.
I have loved music as far back as I can remember. Singing, dancing and playing music. My brother was a musician, and both my kids are. My youngest son started learning to play a djembe when he was 15 years old in school. I went to see his Spring concert performance and knew when I heard them play that I had to find myself a drum circle! From there, it became a weekly Friday night event that left me feeling so awesome! I stepped out of my comfort zone (I didn't like standing up or speaking in front of others) to get certified in facilitating drum circles. I was so nervous standing in the middle for the first time to facilitate a drum circle! The first form of Qigong I learned was practiced with our eyes closed. I felt comfortable with everyone's eyes closed! I later learned more styles with eyes open. I love teaching Qigong and Simplified Tai Chi because it can be done anywhere and every BODY can do it.
I became a teacher's assistant and Speech Assistant when my kids were young. As a young girl in school I loved helping my teacher's and other students. I was watching Oprah and she had a guest that suggested if you are looking for a new career to think back to when you were younger and what you liked to do. That ignited me to go back to school and get certified. I was born with a cleft palette and as a new kid I did have people make fun of me. I had a slight lisp. I would introduce myself and say "Hi! My name is Rhonda and yes I talk funny." I put it out there first. I realize now it took away the energy of others wanting to make fun of me. I loved being a speech language pathologist assistant. I understood how people felt who had speech and language challenges. I've worked with people 18 months to age 30 to improve their speech, language and communication skills. It was very fulfilling. I did it for 15 years.
At the age of 18, I started going to a gym. It was the ‘80s and women were going to aerobics. I was lifting weights and seeing how heavy I could lift. I had dreams of being a bodybuilder. Although I was in the gym regularly and trained hard, I wasn't disciplined enough at that age in other areas of my life. At age 25, I made health and wellness a priority when I got pregnant with my 1st child and it became my lifestyle. I gave up all the "unhealthy " habits I had before I got pregnant and stuck with it. This led me to learning about herbs, aromatherapy, reflexology and so much more. Health and wellness is such an important part of the way I live.
At the age of 18, I started going to a gym. It was the ‘80s and women were going to aerobics. I was lifting weights and seeing how heavy I could lift. I had dreams of being a bodybuilder. Although I was in the gym regularly and trained hard, I wasn't disciplined enough at that age in other areas of my life. At age 25, I made health and wellness a priority when I got pregnant with my 1st child and it became my lifestyle. I gave up all the "unhealthy " habits I had before I got pregnant and stuck with it. This led me to learning about herbs, aromatherapy, reflexology and so much more. Health and wellness is such an important part of the way I live.
You have a long list of services you offer - Drum circles, Qigong/Tai Chi and Energy Healing now, plus Speech Assistant and Fitness in the past. How did you come to be so diversified? Did one lead to the next?
Can you share a bit about your work with Drumming, Qigong/Tai Chi, and Energy Healing? What training was involved to gain your skills and what is the focus of each?
I have personally attended two of your drum circles and you brought a slightly different focus to each. What type of drum circles and audiences do you work with, and how do you plan each experience where there are so many options?
Yes, you have Marilyn. Thank you for attending and sharing your fun energy! I have done drum circles for many different organizations, groups, and team building events and people from 3 - 102 years of age. I have facilitated drumming at preschool, elementary, junior high, senior high, seniors, adults living with disabilities, conventions, galas, different celebrations, and special events both indoors & outdoors. One of the greatest lessons I learned at one of the first drum circles I did, was to feel the group and go with the flow. I went in with a plan and it flew out the window. I have standard activities I do with each group. Once I meet the group I get a good feel of the participants and go from there. I sometimes receive "messages" or get "downloads " which are ideas that arise in the moment. I listen to the participants. It is their experience and that creates an interactive program. I learn so much from participants!
I started in education as a teacher's assistant/speech language pathologist assistant. I embarked with Balanced Energy Wellness after having a painful time with my back which led me to an amazing energy healer in Montana. He taught me so much and changed my life! He inspired me to learn about energy healing which was Reiki for me, then I dove into Qigong/Simplified Tai Chi,. Drum Circle Facilitation, Crystal Healing, and Mediumship. I went on a huge chapter of discovery, learning and getting certified up the yin yang! At the age of 50, for some crazy reason, I decided I should become a group fitness instructor and active aging specialist! I thought to myself, you are 50, with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis teaching fitness, what are you doing????
Can you share a bit about your work with Drumming, Qigong/Tai Chi, and Energy Healing? What training was involved to gain your skills and what is the focus of each?
I am certified in 4 different types of drum facilition: Integrated, Youth, Drumbeat, and Neuro-Rhythmic Trauma. There is scientific evidence of the many benefits of being in a drum circle including stress relief, anxiety relief, improving motor function, improving cognitive function, it can help improve immune function, creates connection and enhances overall wellness. Drumming touches many pillars of wellness including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social.
There are thousands of styles of Qigong. I am certified in different styles of medical Qigong. Tai Chi is a martial arts form of Qigong. I am certified in Simplified Tai Chi. The focus is to work with our Chi (life force energy) through breath, movement, sound, visualization and intention. Some styles are practiced with eyes open, some eyes closed, some with sound. We are clearing blockages in the meridians. The blockages create pain and sickness in the body. It's like giving yourself acupuncture without the needles. We also work on acupressure points.
My business components currently include drum circle facilitator, Qigong and Simplified Tai Chi Instructor, and energy healing practitioner.
Yes, you have Marilyn. Thank you for attending and sharing your fun energy! I have done drum circles for many different organizations, groups, and team building events and people from 3 - 102 years of age. I have facilitated drumming at preschool, elementary, junior high, senior high, seniors, adults living with disabilities, conventions, galas, different celebrations, and special events both indoors & outdoors. One of the greatest lessons I learned at one of the first drum circles I did, was to feel the group and go with the flow. I went in with a plan and it flew out the window. I have standard activities I do with each group. Once I meet the group I get a good feel of the participants and go from there. I sometimes receive "messages" or get "downloads " which are ideas that arise in the moment. I listen to the participants. It is their experience and that creates an interactive program. I learn so much from participants!
What inspired you to found Balanced ~ Energy ~ Wellness? What challenges do you face as an entrepreneur? What comes easy for you? What is a challenge to deal with?
Helping others on their wellness journey inspired me. I have lived with chronic pain most of my life. That lead me to try different modalities to help myself. I went to an energy healer in Montana who inspired me to dive in energy healing. That started my Reiki journey. In 1995 , I saw an ad for Qigong after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I had a newborn and a 3 year old. I didn't have time to learn something new. Many years later, I saw an other add on Facebook 3 times. I figured it was a sign from the Universe to try it. I went to the first class with a sore shoulder. I left feeling so much better and knew I had to dive deeper into it and teach it. My youngest son inspired my drumming journey. The fitness component came from my passion of working out. Someone sent me a video of cardio drumming and said "Rhonda, you should do this!" We had cardio drumming at the school I worked at a times over the years. When I saw the video, it felt like a natural fit to add to Balanced Energy Wellness.
Marketing is the most challenging for me as a solopreneur. Facilitating/teaching come the easiest for me. I love it!
All of the services you offer have one thing in common - you work with people to lift them up and improve their lives? What do you love most about being hands on and close to clients? Do your relationships become more personal?
I love that you see the common thread! I love the connection, getting to know them, seeing their smiles, and hearing they feel better in some small way. I have met so many phenomenal, inspiring people through what I do, and yes, I've also made many friends.
My Facebook page Balanced Energy Wellness Drumming & Qigong is where I post all my community events and it is the best way to connect with me.
I would love to close with a favorite personal quote that is your go to.
Favorite quote: "Our health is our greatest wealth".
Motto I live by: Carpe Diem (Seize the day).
Links -
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