Bee True You Wellness and Creative Studio is RACC May 2025 Member of the Month

The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce recently sat down with Elisabeth "Lava" Lawaczeck, owner of Bee True You Wellness and Creative Studio, to hear more about her journey to enlightenment and connection.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to create Bee True You Wellness and Creative Studio.

Elisabeth: I lived in Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado and while working at the state level in the public health sector for 20 years. For 6 years I served as the public health director for Ouray County and while I enjoyed that line of work, I began to notice a large disconnect between public health work which is population based, and mental health in our commmunities. I felt myself being drawn to a more individualized and small group, supportive work.

2. What style of personalized coaching do you provide?

Elisabeth: I am a certified life, health and spirtitual coach getting my official certifications beginning in 2019. I offer virtual lifestyle, career, and spiritual coaching nationwide from my office, which is also at my studio. Within the studio, I offer in person workshops to community members and others who wish to attend. My passion is to support those seeking to find their purpose, achieve inner peace and outer health, and to be there for those in need of guidance through a deep spiritual awakening.

3. What do you appreciate most about having your own studio in Ridgway?

Elisabeth: I really enjoy connecting with the community and working with people individually. Ridgway has offered such a warm welcome, and I am connecting with locals regularly. The act of creating unique workshops tap into my artistic side which was cultivated while attending a fine arts high school in my youth. See attendees connecting with each other warms my heart. These connections foster a healthy community. Walk-ins are welcome, however for the workshops and sesssions, registration or making an appointment is greatly appreciated.

4. May is Mental Health Month, what kinds of workshops and sessions will be offered at Bee True You?

Elisabeth: I will be leading a Layers of Health for Your Journey Sundays May 4th and May 18th from 9am-11:30am. We will be looking at our layers of self through the 5 koshas. This will be an experiential workshop series with breathwork, gentle yoga, meditation and guided introspection designed to gain clarity and create action steps on how individuals want to heal in body, mind, emotions and spirit. I will be doing a Mother's Day Weekend workshop titled: "Meditation, Yoga and Deepen Your Connection" on Sunday, May 11th from 4:30pm-6:30pm to deepen the connection between mother and son/daughter through gentle yoga, breathwork and meditation practices. Ages 14 and up are welcome. Mothers can also attend alone. On Friday, May 16th Erika Kae will be leading the Vocal Toning and Saturday, May 24th Kathleen McKnight will be teaching Yoga Nidra (laying down meditation) Workshop integrating the Amrit Method.

5. Is there anything else you would ike the Ridgway community to know?

Starting in June, Kristin McHarg, owner of Telluride Yoga Studio will be teaching a class for six weeks, titled "Yoga Sheen." Each class is a themed journey-building week by week-to awaken your magnetic power, intuitive embodiment, and connection to the full spectrum of divine feminine energy. Also starting in June, I will be teaching "Gentle Stretch, Breathwork, and Meditation" class for all levels on Monday mornings. There are so many of us that cannot do some of the classic poses of down dog dues to injuries but who still will benefit from these yogic practices. I am delighted to continue to host other healers who are experts in their field.

6. What does mental health mean to you?

Elisabeth: A healthy mind is characterized by emotional, psychological, spiritual and social well-being, encompassing the abilitiy to cope with life's challenges, build strong relationships, and maintain a sense of meaning and purpose. It involves being aware of one's thoughts and feelings, managing stress, and adapting to change. The healing art of coaching supports inidviduals to become more self-aware and take healthy steps to nurture oneself in body, mind and spirit... in all areas of life. Mental health is affected by our physical and spiritual health