The Vortex Bay Area

The Vortex Bay Area A studio space for the collective fostering accessibility & celebrating inclusivity + diversity through healing, connection, & wellness.

Hello, Beloveds!We’re thrilled to share that The Vortex Bay Area has been nominated for “Best Wellness Center in Benicia...
07/17/2025

Hello, Beloveds!
We’re thrilled to share that The Vortex Bay Area has been nominated for “Best Wellness Center in Benicia!”

As a women-owned, heart-centered studio rooted right here in our beloved town, this recognition means the world to us — and your vote can help make it happen!

👉Please visit https://bestofbenicia.voterfly.com/ and create a quick account to vote. (Your information is safe and never shared — it stays secure with the Benicia Chamber of Commerce.)

Let’s bring this home together, Benicia! Thank you for believing in us, supporting local magic, and being part of The Vortex community.

With love,
The Vortex Bay Area
Where healing, community, and transformation meet.

ABOUT THE VORTEX BAY AREA:
The Vortex Bay Area is a soulful, women-owned wellness center in Benicia offering Reiki, sound healing, movement, breathwork, and sacred ceremony. Rooted in community, inclusivity, and authenticity, we hold space for transformation, creativity, and deep connection. Come as you are—release, replenish, and rise in your own radiant power.

Hello, Beloveds!We’re thrilled to share that The Vortex Bay Area has been nominated for "Best Wellness Center in Benicia...
07/17/2025

Hello, Beloveds!

We’re thrilled to share that The Vortex Bay Area has been nominated for "Best Wellness Center in Benicia!" 💫

As a women-owned, heart-centered studio rooted right here in our beloved town, this recognition means the world to us — and your vote can help make it happen!

👉 Please visit https://bestofbenicia.voterfly.com/ and create a quick account to vote. (Your information is safe and never shared — it stays secure with the Benicia Chamber of Commerce.)

Let’s bring this home together, Benicia! Thank you for believing in us, supporting local magic, and being part of The Vortex community. 💖

With love,
The Vortex Bay Area
Where healing, community, and transformation meet.

ABOUT THE VORTEX BAY AREA:
The Vortex Bay Area is a soulful, women-owned wellness center in Benicia offering Reiki, sound healing, movement, breathwork, and sacred ceremony. Rooted in community, inclusivity, and authenticity, we hold space for transformation, creativity, and deep connection. Come as you are—release, replenish, and rise in your own radiant power.

06/24/2025
Hi there! Our studio, The Vortex Bay Area, has been nominated for Best Wellness Center in Benicia! It would be amazing f...
06/24/2025

Hi there! Our studio, The Vortex Bay Area, has been nominated for Best Wellness Center in Benicia!

It would be amazing for us to win this! This is where you come in... please click on the link or scan the QR code to vote!

You will each need to create an account in order to vote so they know you are a real person and you only vote once for each category.

The categories are alphabetical so Wellness Centers are near the bottom!

Cast your vote for the finest in town!

✨Your Reiki Journey Starts Here✨(Registration link in bio)Step into your healing gifts and awaken your inner light with ...
06/23/2025

✨Your Reiki Journey Starts Here✨
(Registration link in bio)

Step into your healing gifts and awaken your inner light with Reiki Level 1 with BrandiBette Smead at The Vortex Bay Area. This 3-session, in-person training is designed to introduce you to the profound practice of Reiki and prepare you to confidently treat yourself and loved ones. This immersive series will support you to release old patterns, balance your energy, and step fully into your power.

We’re thrilled to offer TWO Reiki Level I series this summer to support your healing journey. Choose the path that aligns with your schedule and energy:

☀️ OPTION 1:
Monthly Summer Series
3 Monthly Sessions | June – August

Monday, June 30 (4:00–6:00 PM)
Thursday, July 31 (4:00–6:00 PM)
Sunday, August 24 (1:00–3:00 PM)

Perfect for those who prefer time between sessions to integrate, practice, and reflect.

🌕 OPTION 2:
Full Moon July Immersion
3 Weekly Sessions in July | All sessions are 6:00–8:00 PM.

Monday, July 7
Monday, July 14
Monday, July 21

A beautiful, immersive experience aligned with the potent energy of the Full Buck Moon—a time of abundance, renewal, and the cycle of life.

Energetic Exchange:
💫 Tuition: $333
🌞 Early Bird Special: $333+ Complimentary Ticket To An Upcoming Reiki Share

What You’ll Learn Each Session:

SESSION 1: Introduction, History, & Principles
✨ What is Reiki?
✨ The History of Reiki (Eastern & Western Lineages)
✨ The 5 Reiki Principles for Daily Life

SESSION 2: Attunements & Treatments
✨ Learn Techniques for Self-Treatment & Treating Others
✨ Hands-On Practice
✨ Receive 2 Reiki Attunements

SESSION 3: Attunements, Review, & Practice
✨ Guided Practice with Partners
✨ Receive 2 Additional Reiki Attunements
✨ Q&A, Sharing, Reflection, & Closing Circle

Included Magic:
✔️ 4 Reiki Attunements
✔️ Guided Meditations & Energy Hygiene Practices
✔️ Printed & Digital Manual
✔️ Reiki Level I Certificate (with Optional Group Photo)
✔️ Special Rate For Monthly Reiki Shares
✔️ Discount On Reiki Level II
✔️ Small Group Learning

Family Sound Journey🌼 Tuesday, 5/27🌼 6:00–7:00 PM🌼 at The Vortex (619 1st St)🌼 Energetic exchange: starting at $30 (for ...
05/27/2025

Family Sound Journey
🌼 Tuesday, 5/27
🌼 6:00–7:00 PM
🌼 at The Vortex (619 1st St)
🌼 Energetic exchange: starting at $30 (for a family of 2)

Join us for a magical Family Sound Journey —
an evening of relaxation, connection, and calm for the whole family.

✨Settling In

Bring cozy blankets, pillows, and anything else from home to help you feel comfortable. Dress the kiddos in comfy clothes and enjoy quiet, screen-free activities like coloring. Children and parents are invited to explore instruments like tuning forks, Tibetan bowls, ocean drums, rain sticks, seed rattles, and more!

✨Sound Journey – short and sweet for less developed attention spans

Immerse in a soothing sound experience with crystal singing bowls, chimes, and gentle percussion — designed to calm minds and relax bodies.

✨Playing Around

Share reflections, ask questions, and connect with other families in a warm, welcoming space.

Let’s unwind, bond, and embrace the power of sound — together.
All ages welcome.









🌿 What is Reiki?Reiki is a gentle, hands-on energy healing technique that helps you relax, release stress, and restore b...
05/23/2025

🌿 What is Reiki?
Reiki is a gentle, hands-on energy healing technique that helps you relax, release stress, and restore balance. It supports your body’s natural healing—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
✨ Benefits for you + your family:
💆‍♀️ Reduces stress & anxiety
🌙 Improves sleep
💖 Promotes emotional balance
👨‍👩‍👧 Great for kids + family calm
🌟 Deepens overall well-being

🎉We’re kicking things off with Reiki Level 1 this July — and we want your input!
📅 What class format works best for you?
1️⃣ 2 Tuesday evenings (6-8:30pm)
2️⃣ One Sunday session (12-5:30pm)

👇 Drop your preference in the comments, answer the poll, or DM us — we can’t wait to share this journey with you! 💫








🌿 May Schedule Highlights🧘‍♀️ Yoga WorkshopSaturday, May 3 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | $60Expand and ground your energy throug...
05/02/2025

🌿 May Schedule Highlights

🧘‍♀️ Yoga Workshop
Saturday, May 3 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | $60
Expand and ground your energy through mindful movement and connection to your body’s subtle rhythms.

🔮 The Oracle Circle
Saturday, May 3 & Friday, May 30 | 6:00–9:00 PM | $45
Gather in sacred space to strengthen your intuition, deepen your self-trust, and connect with spiritual community.

🩰 The Body Speaks: Embodied Journey
Mondays, May 5, 12, 19 | 7:00–8:30 PM | $150 (3-week series)
Reconnect to your body’s wisdom through movement exploration and internal integration practices.

👶 Children’s Yoga
Sunday, May 11 | 9:30–10:30 AM | $20
A playful, heart-centered class designed to help kids connect to their breath, bodies, and inner joy.

🌕 Full Moon Ceremony
Wednesday, May 14 | 6:00–7:30 PM | $45
Honor the Scorpio Full Moon with ritual, reflection, and emotional renewal.

🧘 Guided Meditation (formerly Guided Visualization)
Friday, May 16 | 6:00–7:00 PM | $25
Drop into deep stillness and reconnect with your inner wisdom through a calming guided meditation.

🌺 Mother of Stars Gathering
Saturday, May 10 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | $77
Celebrate and understand your family dynamics through astrology, tea, and cosmic conversation.

🌬️ Breathwork
Saturday, May 17 | 9:00–10:30 AM | $50
Breathe life into your body, heart, and spirit through conscious, transformative breath practice.

🎶 Group Sound Journey
Tuesday, May 20 | 6:00–7:45 PM | $45
Immerse in the healing frequencies of sound to harmonize and restore your nervous system.

🌸 Cyclical Being Gathering
Wednesday, May 21 | 6:30–8:00 PM | $35
Explore the sacred portal of peri/menopause, the first of our new Cyclical Being monthly gatherings.

💃 Ecstatic Dance Sanctuary
Friday, May 23 | 6:00–8:00 PM | $25
Move, sweat, and celebrate your aliveness through free-form, conscious dance.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Sound Journey
Tuesday, May 27 | 6:00–7:00 PM | $50 for a family of 4*
A soothing sound journey designed for families to rest, reconnect, and restore together.

🌌 Cosmic Forgiveness Workshop
Saturday, May 31 | 10:00–11:30 AM | $30
Learn how forgiveness appears in your birth chart and experience the sacred Hawaiian prayer Ho’oponopono.

Ready to rejuvenate your body and mind? 🌿✨Come experience the healing power of our Detox Ionic Foot Bath! This treatment...
04/21/2025

Ready to rejuvenate your body and mind? 🌿✨

Come experience the healing power of our Detox Ionic Foot Bath! This treatment helps to detoxify the body by drawing out toxins through your feet while you unwind in the comfort of our studio!

Benefits include:
✔️ Enhanced circulation
✔️ Improved energy levels
✔️ Skin rejuvenation
✔️ Relief from stress and anxiety

We’re currently learning from Jessica Joy of Heal Placerville, whose expertise in holistic wellness is guiding us through this beautiful offering with intention and care.

Stay tuned to find out how you can experience this for yourself in the very near future!










Mandala Morning⭐ 10:00-12:00 pm⭐ Thursday, 4/17⭐ At The Vortex (619 1st St)Join us for a Mandala Morning mini retreat, w...
04/17/2025

Mandala Morning
⭐ 10:00-12:00 pm
⭐ Thursday, 4/17
⭐ At The Vortex (619 1st St)

Join us for a Mandala Morning mini retreat, where participants will explore the transformative power of Meditative QiGong movements. Experience how these gentle exercises can help you turn stress into vitality, loosen up tension, and invite a sense of release and flow into your life.

Discover the joy of creating your own personal Mandala and immerse yourself into a world of color, form, and flow, allowing your mind to embrace playfulness. Working with colored pencils is an easy way to play any time your way!










Have you felt the call to learn Tarot? Perhaps you’ve dabbled with Tarot but want to deepen your understanding and intui...
02/16/2025

Have you felt the call to learn Tarot?

Perhaps you’ve dabbled with Tarot but want to deepen your understanding and intuition. Tarot is more than just a deck of cards—it is a mirror to the soul, a guide for self-discovery, and a powerful tool for intuitive insight.

Join us for Tarot 101: A Beginner’s Workshop with Heidi Lechner and step into the wisdom of the cards in a supportive, intuitive space:

📅 Sunday, March 2
⏳ 2:00 - 5:00 PM
📍 The Vortex, Benicia
💰 Investment: $69
🃏 Rider-Waite Tarot Decks will be available for purchase

This beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop will introduce you to the foundations of Tarot, helping you develop an intuitive approach to reading the cards while uncovering the deep symbolism and archetypes woven within them.

What You’ll Learn:
🔮 The basics of Tarot – Understanding the Major & Minor Arcana
✨ How to trust your intuition while reading the cards
🃏 Card symbolism & deeper meanings
🔍 Simple Tarot spreads for insight & guidance
🌿 Using Tarot for self-discovery & decision-making

No prior experience is needed—just an open mind and a Tarot deck. Bring your own trusted deck (if you have one). If you don’t have a deck, Rider-Waite Tarot decks will be available for purchase - email us to reserve your deck!

Your Guide: Heidi Lechner
Heidi brings a rich spiritual perspective to her intuitive tarot readings, honoring the legacy of her mother, a master tarot reader who introduced her to the wisdom of the cards. Originally from New York City, Heidi’s journey has been shaped by her studies in soul healing and somatic practices, allowing her to offer deeply transformative insights through Tarot.

Her approach is both compassionate and empowering, providing a supportive space for self-discovery, healing, and clarity. Through her readings, Heidi helps clients navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purpose, using Tarot as a bridge to their own inner wisdom.

In this workshop, she will guide you in unlocking your own intuitive gifts, helping you move beyond memorization and into trusting your own interpretations.

Claim Your Seat in Circle
If you feel the pull of the cards and the desire to develop a deeper connection to your intuition, this workshop is for you.

🔹 Reserve your spot now for $69: REGISTER BELOW
🔹 Email us at thevortexbayarea@gmail.com to reserve your deck

Whether you’re new to Tarot or looking to refine your practice, we welcome you into this sacred space of learning, exploration, and empowerment.

We can't wait to learn with you.

With love and light,
Marísa, Emma, & Bee

Hello our sweet soul community,February is a month of quiet transformation—a sacred threshold between deep winter and th...
02/01/2025

Hello our sweet soul community,

February is a month of quiet transformation—a sacred threshold between deep winter and the stirrings of renewal. Though we are still in winter’s embrace, the shifting light and lengthening days remind us that change is already unfolding beneath the surface.

Across cultures and traditions, this time of year has long been honored as a season of transition—a moment to release the old, awaken to the first whispers of spring, and prepare for the renewal ahead:

🌿 Imbolc (Celtic) – A festival of fire and purification, honoring Brigid, goddess of fertility, healing, and poetry. It marks the first stirrings of new life beneath the earth.
🌸 Setsubun (Japanese) – A lunar festival where roasted soybeans are thrown to drive out negative energy, welcoming luck, light, and renewal for the coming season.
🎋 Vasant Panchami (Hindu) – Honoring Saraswati, goddess of wisdom and creativity, this festival celebrates learning, renewal, and the first signs of spring.
🌳 Tu BiShvat (Jewish) – The "New Year of the Trees," celebrating nature’s awakening and our deep-rooted connection to the earth.
🐍 Serpent Day (Indigenous Mesoamerican & North American) – Symbolizing rebirth and renewal, this day reflects the shedding of the old and emerging into the new.
🌿 Dzuh-Chun/Lichun (Mongolian & Chinese) – The official start of spring in the traditional lunisolar calendar, marking the awakening of the land and the renewal of life.

Each of these traditions, across time and place, honors the energy of February—a bridge between stillness and emergence, between reflection and action. As we move through this transition, we invite you to listen to what your body, mind, and spirit are asking for. Do you need more stillness? Are you feeling the pull of gentle awakening?

Our February offerings are here to support you through the gentle unfolding during this season of quiet transformation—offering space for reflection, renewal, and reconnection as we continue toward the brighter days ahead.

Whether you feel called to breathe deeply, move intuitively, or explore your inner wisdom and connect with others in sacred community, we invite you to join us in honoring this sacred threshold.

February Schedule Highlights
🌬️ Breathwork – Saturday, Feb 1 | 9:00-10:30 AM
Release tension and renew your energy with conscious, connected breathwork designed to support emotional release and deep relaxation.

🌿 Guided Visualization Journey – Sunday, Feb 2 | 10:00-11:30 AM
Drop into stillness and journey inward with a guided visualization practice that nurtures clarity, intuition, and deep connection.

🎶 Sound Journey – Wednesday, Feb 5 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of sound to recalibrate your nervous system, release stagnation, and restore balance.

🧘 Evening Yoga – Thursdays, Feb 6, 13, 20 | 5:15-6:45 PM
A weekly invitation to reconnect with your body and breath, moving gently through postures that cultivate steadiness, openness, and inner awareness.

🔮 The Oracle Circle – Friday, Feb 7 & Saturday, Feb 22 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Step into a sacred space of intuition, exploration, and shared wisdom. Practice intuitive skills, deepen self-trust, and connect with a community of seekers.

🌪️ Yoga Workshop: The Great Spiral – Saturday, Feb 8 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Twisting and spiraling movements to create inner spaciousness, renew energy, and cultivate resilience through the body’s natural rhythms.

🧸 Children’s Yoga – Sunday, Feb 9 & Sunday, Feb 23 | 9:30-10:30 AM
A playful, nature-inspired practice designed to nurture movement, mindfulness, and creativity for the little ones.

🌕 Full Moon Ceremony – Monday, Feb 10 | 6:30-8:00 PM
A sacred gathering to reflect, release, and realign under the illuminating energy of the full moon.

🎨 Mandala Morning Retreat – Thursday, Feb 20 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
A morning of quiet artistry and meditation, weaving intention and creativity through mandala-making in a serene, supportive space.

💃 Dance Sanctuary – Friday, Feb 21 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Move freely, express fully, and release stagnant energy in a safe, soulful space of music and embodiment.

🎶 Family Sound Journey – Friday, Feb 28 | 5:30-7:00 PM
A soothing sound healing experience for the whole family. Children can bathe in healing frequencies while engaging in peaceful activities, and parents are invited to relax alongside them, creating a shared moment of rest and connection. A gentle, nourishing way to reset together. ✨

A Gentle Invitation
As we move through this in-between season, may we honor the slowness, trust the unfolding, and allow renewal to come in its own time. February reminds us that transformation does not have to be rushed—it is already happening, deep beneath the surface, waiting for its moment to bloom.

Whether through movement, meditation, or sacred community, may you find the practices that nourish your spirit this month. We look forward to sharing this space with you.

With love and light,
Marísa Lilliana, Emma Manchester, & BrandiBette Smead

Address

Benicia, CA

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