Ever since Loredana Saroni-Battistella was a child, she had a passion for helping others. As the youngest of four children, she was always following in the footsteps of her significantly older siblings which exposed her to a lot of things at a young age.
“I always felt a connection to helping people,” she said.
She studied retail in school and worked in the industry for 12 years. After having her two boys, she decided to switch fields entirely, and work in child care.
When she and her family moved from Brampton to Bradford in 2001, she switched career paths once more and began working at Bradford Valley Care Community in the housekeeping department.
It wasn’t until last year, when she turned 50, she decided it was time to do something for herself, but something that would help people at the same time.
She had recently become interested in aromatherapy and began using essential oils to help her to keep calm and relaxed. From this new found interest is where she learned about reflexology and reiki.
Reflexology is a natural therapy where the pressure points on the foot are manipulated to help stimulate other areas of the body and relieve tension.
Reiki is a form of alternative medicine that works with energies of the body to promote relaxation and boost energy.
She was fascinated with the aspects of both practices and decided she wanted to eventually open her own business offering these services to the people of Bradford.
With the busy lifestyles people lead in today’s world, Saroni-Battistella believes everyone needs to take time for themselves to relax and recharge.
“It’s just taking that time to quiet the mind,” she explained.
Saroni-Battistella decided to pursue her passion, enrolling in school to become a certified reiki practitioner and reflexologist.
While studying, she and her husband transformed a room in their basement into a practice space for her business, The Loving Soul.
“It’s been pretty exciting,” she said of finally opening The Loving Soul just a few weeks ago.
She said the process of starting a business has been very rewarding.
“In all of the learning I've done, I've learned to be patient with it and good things will come,” she said.
As a spiritual person, Saroni-Battistella prays everyday and is grateful for the opportunity to share her knowledge and service with others.
“I believe what you put out you get back,” she said of her efforts in starting her business.
“There’s a reason for everything.”
In the future, she hopes to incorporate aromatherapy into her practice, and possibly offer her services to the elderly in retirement centres.
For the month of November, The Loving Soul has partnered with local company, Carma Soap, and will be selling soaps to help raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Mental health is something that “hits home” with Saroni-Battistella.
“I want to give back,” she said.
To learn more about The Loving Soul or to book an appointment, check out their website here.
