Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

Center for Natural Medicine: Personalized Holistic Care in Watertown

Watertown’s Center for Natural Medicine offers tailored holistic care combining acupuncture, energy work, and wellness.

At the Center for Natural Medicine in Watertown, wellness is anything but one-size-fits-all. This family-run practice brings together top practitioners across many modalities, including movement, medical care, mental health, and coaching, to craft personalized treatment plans. Every protocol is tailored to the individual, blending expertise and attentiveness to support long-term healing. Founded to bridge the gap between mind, body, and spirit, the Center is driven by a team dedicated to guiding each patient toward true, lasting well-being. Patients often arrive seeking answers after feeling unheard elsewhere, and discover a collaborative environment focused not just on symptom relief, but on restoring energy, resilience, and balance for everyday living.

Meeting Patients Where They Are

At the Center for Natural Medicine, we start by meeting patients where they are. If someone comes in seeking medical healing, we begin there. As they experience progress, we explore other areas of life that may be out of balance, helping them consider what changes feel achievable and meaningful. Our goal is to guide patients toward holistic well-being without overwhelming them.

What Does “Whole-Person Care” Look Like?

Treating the whole person means considering physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It’s about walking alongside patients, helping them tune into their body and intuition, and offering guidance so they can make informed choices. Every interaction is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and support for how each individual learns and grows.

Most Popular Services

Every service we offer is in demand at different points in a patient’s healing journey. There’s no single path—what matters is finding the right combination of therapies for each individual.

Your First Visit

New patients undergo a comprehensive one-hour evaluation, including medical history, lab work, and any needed diagnostics. Physicians may prescribe natural medications or therapies, always aiming for the least invasive, most cost-effective solutions.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Treatment plans are tailored to the patient’s goals, schedule, and budget. Providers regularly check in to adjust care based on progress and feedback, ensuring patients remain empowered and comfortable throughout their journey.

Nutrition and Lifestyle

Lifestyle and nutrition are central to healing. We emphasize consistent, sustainable habits that fuel the body and support long-term wellness. Even small steps, when aligned with your goals, can have a meaningful impact.

Chronic or Challenging Conditions

We approach all conditions with the same principles: thoughtful guidance, clear communication, and continuous support.

Acupuncture and Energy Work

Acupuncture offers biomedical benefits, while energy work supports subtle mind–body connections and emotional healing. Many patients benefit from combining them. Together, these modalities reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance vitality, support emotional well-being, and cultivate a mindful relationship with health.

Who Benefits Most?

Naturopathic care is for everyone—whether managing or preventing chronic disease, seeking insight into wellness, adopting sustainable habits, or supporting mental health and motivation.

Looking Ahead

Our mission remains to provide the highest-quality, individualized care while empowering patients every step of the way.
centerfornaturalmedicine.net

[Sponsored]

The Spa at Litchfield Hills: Holistic Wellness and Luxury Experiences

The Spa at Litchfield Hills offers massage, skincare, hair, and wellness services, with new treatments arriving in 2026.

The Spa at Litchfield Hills provides holistic healing through world-class beauty, health, and wellness experiences. Current treatment offerings include massage and bodywork, medical-grade skincare, hair, and nails, with more to come in late 2026 with the unveiling of their newly renovated destination wellness property. 

Business entrepreneur and founder Megan Harpin acquired The Spa at Litchfield Hills in 2004, while attending Babson College. Harpin has built The Spa over 21 years from a small startup into the local institution and award-winning spa destination it is today.

Megan, will you describe the spa?

The Spa at Litchfield Hills is located off Route 202 in Litchfield. Our facility features a brand-new nail salon, clean beauty wellness boutique, temporary therapy rooms, and hair salon. All of these will be
expanded upon with the completion of our renovated space and new treatments in late 2026. Our remote location and scenic property offer a unique opportunity to integrate nature into our facility, enhancing its serenity. We’re creating an outdoor oasis with treatments, lounge areas, and more, overlooking our pond and the White Memorial nature preserve. Additionally, we’re developing state-of-the-art medspa facilities and introducing biohacking services focused on holistic wellness.

What sets your services and products apart from others in the industry?

The Spa is a conscious brand that evolves with the industry. Our talented team delivers world-class service and wellness experiences—all in one location—with quality rivaling major metropolitan spas. We believe in the healing power of our services and are excited to introduce new offerings. We’re grateful to share these experiences with our community and visiting wellness seekers. Our boutique features brands that not only make you feel good but also do good, offering a unique selection of clean beauty and luxury products not found locally.

What trends have you noticed in your industry recently?

Our industry is constantly evolving! People are more intentional about the products they use and their daily wellness habits. We align with the push for clean, sustainable ingredients and science-backed beauty and wellness solutions rooted in holistic healing.

Our new service menu, launching in late 2026, will
feature sauna therapy, IV therapy, and more—designed to enhance your spa experience and create lasting transformation. The new facility will also expand our Wellness Boutique with 30+ new clean beauty and luxury lifestyle brands. 

How do you define your success?

I define our success through the positive feedback we receive from our guests and our consistent presence in the community. Over the past 21 years, we’ve proudly grown with our community, servicing generations of family members, working closely with other local small businesses, and supporting local nonprofit organizations near and dear to our hearts.
litchfield-spa.com

[Sponsored]

DPZ Salon & Spa: Hair and Beauty

DPZ is a purpose-driven salon and spa in Connecticut, combining expert beauty services with mentorship, community, and philanthropy.

From the very beginning, Dawn Blom knew she wanted to create more than a salon. Starting her career as part of a high school senior project, she was inspired by the power of beauty to help people feel safe, seen, and confident. That early vision became the foundation for DPZ—a space rooted in care, connection, and community, where giving back has always been central.

Originally Dawn’s Pizzazz, the business evolved organically as clients began shortening the name to “DPZ.” The transition became official ahead of a major fundraiser fashion show celebrating nearly 20 years in business. “It was time to elevate the name,” Dawn says. “The business is about all of us.” The rebrand honored DPZ’s legacy while reflecting the collective heart, talent, and future of the team.

Today, DPZ operates two Connecticut locations—Danbury and Litchfield—and Dawn’s role has evolved with the company’s growth. While she still serves legacy clients on a referral basis, her primary focus is mentoring, leadership, and developing the next generation of professionals. Education is central to DPZ’s philosophy, supported by ongoing training from industry icons and brand partners. The salon participates in conversations and roundtables most salons never see, adopting innovation thoughtfully while always prioritizing the guest experience and ensuring every detail is intentional, from technique to ambience.

At DPZ, technical skill goes hand-in-hand with guest care. Advanced training allows the team to work with precision and confidence so clients can truly relax. Thoughtful consultations and elevated service rituals ensure every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and confident from the moment they walk through the door. Beyond salon and spa services, DPZ provides private wig services and will expand into hair toppers in spring 2026, supporting clients seeking solutions that restore dignity, confidence, and self-expression.

The heart of DPZ is its people. Dawn calls her team family: authentic, supportive, and deeply connected. That includes her son, Pierce, a barber recognized as one of the best in Connecticut and Litchfield County; her sister Debbie, a cornerstone of the Litchfield location; Stefani, assistant manager and guest coordinator; and Rosie, an RN aesthetician bringing advanced MedSpa services to both locations. Each team member embodies the warmth and expertise that has become the hallmark of DPZ, carrying forward Dawn’s vision in every interaction and creating a culture of trust and excellence.

Philanthropy is woven into everything DPZ does. The company has raised and given back more than $1 million to support children and families facing illness, hospice and grief care, youth programs, and mental health initiatives. Beyond fundraising, DPZ provides gifts, complimentary haircuts, and awareness campaigns around mental health, suicide prevention, and substance abuse. Annual
initiatives like the golf tournament allow this impact to continue year after year, cementing DPZ’s reputation as both a beauty leader and a community cornerstone.

As DPZ celebrates 40 years in Danbury, the vision is clear: a thriving, purpose-driven company committed to developing the next generation from within and carrying its legacy forward through people,
leadership, heart, and unwavering dedication to every guest who walks through its doors.

469 Bantam Rd., Litchfield 

81 West St., Danbury  Thedpz.com

[Sponsored]

Stefanie DiLibero: Cosmetic Acupuncture & Aculectrics in Lakeville

Lakeville’s Stefanie DiLibero offers cosmetic acupuncture and Aculectrics for natural, rejuvenating skincare results.

Behind frosted panes and soft white curtains in a quiet Lakeville studio, Stefanie DiLibero puts 17 years of experience and care into her signature cosmetic acupuncture treatments.

She stumbled upon this ancient Chinese medicinal practice as a college student while teaching English in Taiwan, when an acupressure treatment resolved a chronic sore throat almost instantly. A few years later, acupuncture resolved another health condition, and DiLibero decided to pursue the practice herself. 

As she grew more interested in skincare and healthy aging, her training in Chinese Medicine became a central part of her technique.

“I wanted an approach that was natural and rooted in long-term health rather than quick fixes,” she says. 

She combined traditional acupuncture with modern technology to develop her own treatment method: Aculectrics. 

It starts with a simple verbal evaluation. DiLibero asked about my health history and current concerns to better inform her personalized plan, considering the body as a whole. 

I came into DiLibero’s studio with visibly irritated skin. She adjusted the plan accordingly, prioritizing gentler treatment that would help restore my skin barrier. 

While I lay in a robe on a heated table, DiLibero cleansed and hydrated my skin before applying thin, single-use needles.

The needles were so gentle I barely knew they were there. She strategically placed them all along my body and face to support circulation, digestion, and skin repair, then let them sit for 30 minutes with an LED light therapy mask over my face while a speaker played soothing sounds nearby. 

“Most people fall asleep during this part, so just relax,” she tells me. 

I was too concerned about keeping still and not messing up the needles to sleep, but it was relaxing nonetheless.After removing the needles, DiLibero used manual therapy and acupressure primarily on my chest, neck, shoulder, and jawline to help lymphatic drainage and to promote skin healing. The full session, including intake, lasted two hours. 

My skin looked hydrated and much smoother immediately after the session, but hours later I noticed even more dramatic changes––inflammation and redness had dropped, leaving my face looking calm and healthy overall. 

DiLibero uses her own treatments and has never used Botox or fillers, though her treatments are compatible with both, and her own youthful appearance is a strong testament to the long-term effects.

She started her practice, Gotham Wellness, in New York City in 2009, and has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, and New York Magazine. She’s traveled the world honing her craft in various countries, but moved to Litchfield County during the pandemic. “I feel more at home here now than I do in the city.” 

Her Lakeville studio opened in July 2025, offering both cosmetic and traditional acupuncture services as well as a curated line of skincare products. “I love helping people feel at home in their bodies. The external changes matter, but the internal shift—how someone feels in their body and in themselves—is just as powerful,” says DiLibero. gothamwellness.com
20A Millerton Road, Lakeville

Fit Coach in the Hills: Personalized Training in Litchfield County

Fit Coach in the Hills delivers personalized, at-home and virtual fitness training in Litchfield County for all ages.

For many people, the hardest part of fitness isn’t the workout—it’s making it fit into real life. That’s where Fit Coach in the Hills, LLC comes in. Owner Suzanne Blaicher brings personalized training directly to clients, whether at home, at the office, or virtually from anywhere in the world. No commute, no intimidation—just smart, tailored coaching designed to keep people moving.

A certified personal trainer, senior fitness specialist, and sports nutrition coach, Blaicher works with clients of all ages and abilities, creating programs that are approachable, challenging, and even fun. Five years into running her own business, she’s built a loyal following across Litchfield County and beyond.

Her path to fitness, however, wasn’t exactly linear.

In her late 20s, Blaicher realized something had to change when she slipped into her husband’s jeans—and they fit. At the time, she smoked, exercised sporadically, and felt far removed from her athletic roots. A tough-love trainer helped reset her course, teaching her the fundamentals of strength training, while she devoured nutrition books and tracked her progress in a tiny notebook.

“I needed a lifestyle change,” she says. “Not a quick fix.”

Years later, after raising a family and immersing herself in classes ranging from yoga to TRX and spin, she pursued professional certifications and began training others in the local gym. In 2020, when the pandemic turned our worlds upside down, friends began to ask if she would come to their home and train outside. That’s when Fit Coach in the Hills was born.

What distinguishes Blaicher’s approach is flexibility paired with science-backed programming. Workouts evolve week by week, building strength and confidence while adapting to life’s curveballs. One session might focus on core stability, another on high-intensity training, or mobility work after long travel days. She works with whatever equipment clients already own, supplementing when needed, so fitness feels accessible—not expensive or complicated.

Her client roster spans from busy professionals in their 30s to active clients in their 90s. A major focus is combating sarcopenia—the muscle loss that naturally accelerates after age 30—through progressive strength training, balanced nutrition, and safe, sustainable movement. Programs often include walking plans for beginners or those returning after surgery, alongside strength, balance, and cardiovascular training.

Industry trends have also shifted. The rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications has helped many clients begin their journey, but Blaicher emphasizes maintaining muscle through proper protein intake and resistance training. At the same time, she cautions against social-media-driven supplement overload, noting that many protein products are calorie-heavy and unnecessary for the average person.

Results, she says, speak for themselves. One client in his early 60s, recovering from multiple back surgeries, rebuilt his balance and gait through functional training, and now maintains a serious weight routine. Another recently stood up from the floor unassisted for the first time in years.

The common thread? Consistency.

“My goal is to establish a simple and effective fitness program that provides measurable results with consistency. That could mean improving balance, muscle tone, weight loss, climbing stairs without pain, or simply keeping up with kids and grandchildren! I feel so honored to help people achieve their fitness goals and can’t wait to go to work every day!”

fitcoachinthehills.com

[Sponsored]

SpringRoot Acupuncture & Wellness: Healing Mind, Body, and Balance

SpringRoot Acupuncture in Woodbury offers personalized care, stress relief, and holistic healing for body and mind.

SpringRoot Acupuncture & Wellness in Woodbury blends the time-tested science of Acupuncture with modern medical solutions, to provide personalized, effective, unique healthcare in a meditative environment. 

What would you like people to know about Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is often the subject of miracle stories — “I went three times in 1983, and it cured me!” Yes, these do happen, and it’s amazing and wonderful when it does, but they are rare. I refer to them as winning the Acupuncture Lotto. What feels more important to share is how incredible of a tool Acupuncture is over time. Acupuncture can heal deeply in such a profound way by actually restoring both the structure and function of the body. Frequency and consistency are vital, especially with complex conditions. 

Many people come in for pain, but Acupuncture treats much more. What range of issues do you most often help patients address?

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat pain and structural issues by reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, and restoring function. But Acupuncture is also helpful for internal conditions. With 25 years of experience in Chinese Medicine, I have treated everything from anxiety, depression, and digestive issues, to autoimmune diseases, fertility, allergies, neuropathy, and migraines. I also have patients who come in for preventative care. Acupuncture is one of the original biohacking tools. It can help to maintain, optimize, and enhance the body and the mind.  

Stress and nervous system overload seem universal right now. How does Acupuncture help patients reset and feel balanced again? 

Patients often comment that just simply being at SpringRoot calms their nervous system. But there’s more to it than that. There are specific points that activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest), and calm the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). Acupuncture has been proven to lower cortisol and inflammation, both drivers of anxiety. It can raise the “feel good” neurotransmitters in the body (dopamine and serotonin) as well as stimulate the release of endorphins. I’ve described receiving Acupuncture as “facilitated meditation,” because it can induce deep relaxation, which reduces activity in the area of the brain that experiences fear and emotional responses. Regular Acupuncture also supports healthy sleep, and insomnia with an overactive mind is often at the root of people feeling anxious throughout the day. 

What is the deeper goal of SpringRoot: symptom relief, long-term healing, prevention, or something else entirely?

It’s all of these, and I would add education and support to that list. I truly believe that our body’s ability to heal is far greater than we allow ourselves to believe, or have been led to believe. I want people to know that there are solutions when, often, allopathic medicine says there are not. I try to look at the big picture with my patients. We discuss lifestyle or dietary changes that can support their healing goals. I’ve seen so many amazing things happen within these walls. I always tell them, “I’m an optimistic practitioner. Let’s try!”

SpringRootAcupuncture.com

[Sponsored]

Eyes on Litchfield: Doctor-Led Exams and Boutique Eyewear

Eyes on Litchfield provides advanced, doctor-led eye exams and personalized, boutique eyewear to protect vision and overall health.

At Eyes on Litchfield, Dr. Tabitha Plunske and Dr. Tommasina Pasqua Sideris provide comprehensive, doctor-led eye exams using advanced retinal imaging to detect early signs of systemic disease—pairing precision care with curated, boutique eyewear. Here, they answer key questions about protecting your eye health.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve caught during a routine eye exam?

Your eyes are the only place in the body where we can see blood vessels without making an incision, which makes them an incredibly powerful diagnostic tool. Between the two of us, we’ve caught early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol—even a tumor—all in patients who walked in feeling perfectly fine. One patient came in for a routine visit and we noticed changes in the back of her eye that led to discovering dangerously high blood sugar she had no idea about. Another was referred out the same day and ended up in emergency heart surgery. A comprehensive eye exam is a window into your overall health—and sometimes, it’s the appointment that changes everything.

What’s something most people don’t realize is slowly damaging their eyes?

When you’re focused on a screen, your blink rate drops by more than half. The oil glands along your eyelids depend on regular blinks to function—when they’re chronically underused, they can become blocked and eventually stop working. I’m seeing more patients in their 40s and 50s with dry eye disease that’s been quietly building for years. The simplest fix: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

At what age should people start paying closer attention to eye health?

Forty is the magic number. That’s when the lens starts losing flexibility, but it’s also when glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts can begin developing—often with zero symptoms. The warning signs people brush off: occasional blurry vision, halos around lights, eyes that feel tired by mid-afternoon. Sometimes it’s nothing. Sometimes it’s the earliest signal of something we can manage much more easily if caught early.

People spend a lot on frames—what mistakes to avoid?

Two things. First, choosing what’s trendy over what complements their features. Second, ignoring how the frame interacts with their prescription. A gorgeous oversized frame with a strong prescription can end up thick and heavy at the edges. We factor your prescription into the selection so the final product works beautifully. It’s part styling session, part science—and something you simply can’t get ordering online.

A lot of people dread eye appointments. What are you doing differently at Eyes on Litchfield?

The dread usually comes from rushed exams, feeling like a number, and sometimes not even seeing a real doctor in the room. We built Eyes on Litchfield around the opposite of that. Every exam is with a doctor, in person, unhurried. When you’re in the chair, that time is yours—if you have ten questions, we answer all ten. The space itself feels more like a boutique than a clinic, and our eyewear is curated, not mass-produced. Patients tell us coming in feels more like a treat than a chore.

What’s one thing you wish every patient knew about protecting their long-term eye health?

Glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease—they’re all silent early on. We’ve invested in the highest-resolution retinal imaging available, which lets us track even the smallest changes in your eyes year over year and catch things when treatment is most effective. Your eyes are irreplaceable. The best thing you can do is partner with a doctor who knows your eyes and is watching out for you. 

litchfieldoptometrist.com 

Dr. Tara Tranguch: Naturopathic Medicine and Healing

Dr. Tara Tranguch uses naturopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle approaches to restore whole-body balance and health.

Let’s start with a story: It’s winter in Germany in the 1800s. A lame deer hobbles to a lake, immerses his leg, and stands still in the cold water. The deer returns each day to visit the lake until its leg is healed. Vincent Preissnitz, recovering from a crushed finger, witnesses this water cure and begins to use cold immersion to heal his own injury. This leads to his development of hydrotherapy which, when brought to the United States, becomes part of naturopathic medicine.

This story illustrates the immutable truth of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine is grounded in the unchanging laws of science, visible throughout nature and governing all life. Gravity, circulation, adaptation, and healing responses are not trends—they are constants. The same physiological principles that supported health thousands of years ago remain at work today.

What has changed is not the laws of science, but our attention to them. As modern culture rediscovers practices like cold immersion, we witness renewed respect for truths long emphasized in naturopathic medicine. Hydrotherapy—documented in the 19th century, and now popularized through cold plunges—demonstrates how strategic exposure to water and temperature stimulates circulation, immune function, and nervous system resilience. The science has not evolved; our awareness has returned. Naturopathic medicine has always worked in alignment with these enduring laws, which is why it remains a premier system of healing.

Dr. Tara Tranguch is a Naturopathic Doctor who combines functional testing with individualized treatment plans to address whole-body health, including cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, hormone and endocrine imbalances, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Her approach integrates nutrition, lifestyle medicine, medical-grade nutraceuticals, homeopathy,
nutrigenomics, botanical medicine, and hydrotherapy to restore balance and resilience.

Dr. Tranguch’s path into naturopathic medicine began with her own pursuit of health optimization. A formative detox experience in Thailand challenged her assumptions about food and healing. This curiosity led her to herbalism, health coaching, and farming—including teaching skills such as sprouting and growing microgreens—and ultimately to earning her post-doctoral degree in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport.

What distinguishes Dr. Tranguch’s practice is her commitment to vitalism—the understanding that a living intelligence animates the body and drives healing. Rather than suppressing symptoms, she supports the body’s inherent ability to restore equilibrium. Emotional, physical, and spiritual health are considered together, allowing treatment to reflect the whole person rather than a list of lab values.

Dr. Tara Tranguch Naturopathic Medical Clinic is located in Woodbury, just off Sherman Hill Road. The space reflects both her global experiences living in Europe and Asia, and grounded lifestyle. Patients enter a clinic complete with a full on-site dispensary featuring over one hundred herbal tinctures, along with modern biohacking tools bridging traditional wisdom and contemporary innovation.

At its core, Dr. Tara’s mission is simple: Restore the whole body to health by honoring the laws of science and the vital forces that govern it. 

drtaratranguch.com

[Sponsored]

Energy Health & Fitness: Torrington Gym & Wellness

Energy Health & Fitness in Torrington offers personal training, medical wellness services, and holistic fitness solutions.

Energy Health & Fitness, located in the heart of downtown Torrington, is a premier wellness center dedicated to fostering a healthier lifestyle. Owned by Robert Rovezzi and Luc Fondaire, and managed by Dina and Brett Cateno, the facility offers services ranging from personal training and fitness consultations to a full-service gym. Brett Cateno was honored as Best Trainer in Litchfield Magazine’s Reader’s Choice 2025 and 2026 issues, a testament to the team’s dedication.

Housed in a renovated 12,000-square-foot space in the historic Torrington Company’s former needle factory, the gym features a medical clinic and a smoothie/coffee bar for a well-rounded experience. Known for its cleanliness and welcoming atmosphere, the team’s professionalism and warmth create a supportive environment. In this Q&A, we explore their vision, services, and the unique environment they’ve created to help people reach their fitness and wellness goals.

1. What inspired Rovezzi and Fondaire to get into the health and fitness business?

After retiring from corporate sales, the owners—both lifelong fitness enthusiasts—pursued their passion for health and wellness. Over 15 years ago, they invested in the gym. Eight years ago, they brought on Dina and Brett Cateno, who made fitness and wellness their vocations. Together, they 

expanded services, creating a holistic wellness center that continues to evolve.

2. How is Energy Health & Fitness different from other gyms in the area?

We offer unique in-house services not commonly found at other gyms. In addition to a full gym and personal training, the facility features a kitchen with fresh-pressed juices, soups, and smoothies. The gym also boasts an in-house medical clinic with a certified APRN, offering blood analysis, prescribed hormone therapies, and IV drips—services that are new and expanding in the fitness industry.

3. How do you meet the diverse needs of your members?

Our membership isn’t defined by demographics. With a wide range of consultation services, personalized training programs, and an expansive array of equipment, we support the wellness goals of virtually any individual, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience. Our inclusive approach ensures everyone can find the tools and guidance they need.

4. What recent trends have you observed in the fitness industry, and how is Energy Health & Fitness embracing these changes?

A major trend is the merging of healthcare, wellness, and fitness. Medical facilities and insurance companies are recognizing that exercise and well-being are key to disease prevention. The modern fitness facility now incorporates both medical and fitness components. While this model is expanding in urban centers, it has been slower to take hold in Connecticut. We are proud to be at the forefront of this movement.

5. Can you share a client success story that showcases how your services have made a difference?

One standout success is Tasha, who trained with us for the Special Olympics Nordic
Skiing competition. We helped her with weight management, muscle toning, and improved respiration. She won two gold medals. Tasha has since launched the Special Olympics Fit Club at our facility, furthering her commitment to fitness and community. 

energytorrington.com  59 Field Street, Torrington 

[Sponsored]

Litchfield Pilates & Integrative Health: Holistic Wellness Through Movement

LPIH Studio in Washington Depot offers Pilates, integrative health coaching, Reiki, and personalized holistic wellness.

At Litchfield Pilates & Integrative Health (LPIH) Studio in Washington Depot, owner Annie Kaplon brings her extensive expertise as an Integrative Health Nurse at NYU Langone Health, Lerner Holistic Nursing Fellowship Coordinator, Board-Certified Integrative Health Coach, and PMA® Certified Pilates Instructor. The studio offers a variety of wellness practices, including Pilates for all levels, meditation, Reiki, and integrative health coaching.

Located at 2 Green Hill Road, the warm and inviting boutique studio provides a space to move, grow, and connect with others while working toward your wellness goals.

1. Can you share your background and qualifications in both Pilates and integrative health?

As a Master Pilates instructor and the founding Secretary for the Pilates Method Alliance, I have experience using and teaching mind-body movement through Pilates for over 30 years. I have also been a nurse for over 32 years, and I have spent the past three years as an Integrative Health Nurse at NYU Langone Hospital. I have a Master’s degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University, I am a board-certified Integrative Health Coach from Duke University, and I am a Reiki level 2 practitioner. 

2. What sets you apart from others in the industry? 

My 30 years of experience in Pilates–tracing my direct lineage back to Joseph
Pilates–combined with my acute assessment skills and critical care nursing background makes me uniquely qualified to promote health and wellness holistically through movement, energy medicine, and personal coaching. 

3. Who is your typical client?

Recognizing that every client and every body is different, I meet each client where they are right now, in this moment. I help to bring awareness of their bodies in space through movement and support while meeting their wellness goals. 

4. What changes have you noticed in your industry recently? 

I have noticed many changes over the past 30 years. Pilates is much more mainstream than ever before, and it’s wonderful that it has become more widely available. I think it is very important for people to make sure their instructors are certified Pilates instructors and have been well-trained. 

5. How do your healthcare background and experience as a movement teacher shape the way you work with clients?

I understand the importance of proper technique and form for overall body function and mechanics. I try to help clients build confidence and strength to trust their bodies will support them wherever they are.

6. Can you share a success story that you’re particularly proud of? 

One client that stands out is someone who had a previous back injury from an accident and lacked confidence in her body. We worked on regaining physical strength, which gave her confidence both physically and mentally. She went on to become a Pilates instructor and is now in advanced training.  

litchfieldpilatesandintegrativehealth.com

[Sponsored]

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