Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesley Almer.
Lesley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When my clients ask me this question, the first thing that comes to mind is 9/11. That day, I was working for a travel company. I was working switchboard, answering phone calls, and experienced a very taxing and emotional day. Customers were upset, venting, and threatening our reps. Underneath all of this emotional chaos, a little voice told me not to take it personally. Our society was hit hard and many didn’t know how to express themselves or cope.
It was then, that I knew I wanted to be in a more serene environment. A place that really helped people, made them feel better physically and emotionally. Becoming a massage therapist was the answer. It was my nudge into the natural healing world.
Four months later, I enrolled in a massage school and became certified shortly thereafter. I learned about personalities, injuries, and how to work with clients on a much deeper level. I got a massage position at a spa and eventually became an esthetician to expand my knowledge of skin and conditions. It also lightened my load of bodywork because, honestly, long days of working on massage clients can do a number to a practitioner’s body.
Time passed and life was ready to send me another wave of education. After six years of working in the spa industry, my own health took a turn in 2008. Unbearable abdominal pains challenged me to find the answers that doctors could not explain. My own clients led me to a variety of alternative professionals where I experienced firsthand the mind/body connection. After months of natural therapy with Reiki, acupuncture, herbs, and talk therapy, I dropped 60 pounds, reversed my Hashimoto Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease) and developed an honest and loving relationship with myself.
Because of this transformation I experienced, I was truly hooked. I was thirsty for more information about the natural healing arts. Massage, though very important, was just the tip of the iceberg. There were so many things out there I had yet to experience. In 2008, I received my Reiki I and II certifications and from 2010 to 2012 I studied and became a certified Holistic Health Practitioner.
My next step was to delve into the world of sound healing. A crystal singing bowl meditation ignited my passion as a sound practitioner and I began to host crystal sound baths with vocals in 2012. This personal journey refined my skills and expanded what it meant for me to be a Holistic Bodyworker.
I branched out on my own in 2013 and moved to Long Beach, California. It was in Seal Beach that I rooted my business and created Universal Touch as an umbrella to cover my natural healing toolbox. And now, I have a great clientele, an eBook, “Manifesting Your Successful Natural Healing Business: A Handbook For Bodyworkers, Aestheticians & All Natural Healers Of The World,” and a meditation CD called “Awakening Your Inner Shaman: A Guided Shamanic Journey,” that are both on iTunes and Amazon. This fall, I’ll be celebrating 5 years with the Seal Beach community. It was terrifying to stretch out of my comfort zone, but worth it on so many levels. Absolutely no regrets!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Are things always easy? Not usually. When you work on people, you learn a lot about yourself. I was a very timid, people-pleaser when I first began. My boundaries were very wish-washy. Throughout the years, I’ve developed boundaries and a voice. These two are necessary for any industry because if you do not voice your boundaries, you will lose your-Self. You will allow a lot of unnecessary dramas to occur, burn out quickly, and then change careers where you will repeat the same pattern. Now that I have developed boundaries AND my voice, I enjoy what I do even more.
Another struggle is self-care. As a practitioner, I need to take care of myself to avoid injuries. I know it’s my responsibility to take care of my mind, body and soul. No one else can do this for me. I do find ways to vent my frustrations on bad days, clear the energies I take on from clients, and try to understand what kind of working schedule I can take on day by day. I know practitioners who work 12-hour days and I know others who are part time. I’m still trying to get a feel for what works best. When I’m not physically working on clients, I’m usually on the computer writing newsletters, updating social media, answering emails, etc… I know that if I overdo it, my body will speak up, and most of the time it’s not a good conversation. Let’s just say quite often I take on too much and do little self-care. I’m working on it.
Please tell us about Universal Touch.
I founded Universal Touch as a way to showcase the variety of natural healing modalities I use in my practice. My toolbox includes therapeutic massage, organic facials, energy medicine, wellness guidance, and sound healing.
When I massage, I listen to what your muscles say and how they react to my pressure. They tend to tell me what you’ve really been doing, and in many cases, are not doing. If you receive an organic facial, you’re getting a facial that truly cleans your pores and skin and helps you to bounce back quicker for school, a wedding, or for a monthly maintenance routine. I offer energy medicine (AKA energy work) to reveal a deeper explanation as to why you’re feeling the way you do, and how you can bring balance and peace back into your life. It’s also very relaxing and in many cases, can put you in a sleepy state. For wellness guidance, we work together to develop a lifestyle plan that’s right for you. We can set up the baby steps toward a more ideal you.
…And then there’s my other love, sound healing. For the past several years I’ve held crystal sound baths at various venues and continue to do so. One of my favorite locations is my Signal Hill Sound Bath. This is held at the Hilltop Park overlooking Long Beach, every 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30 am to 10:00 am. This event is free and open to the community to provide a monthly recharge for anyone who wants to experience it. I also do private sessions and groups.
And just when I think I’m done learning, another wave of education hits me. This year, I am back in school learning about all aspects of yoga in a teacher training program through Yoga Alliance. I’m also taking Sanskrit lessons to broaden my knowledge and practice of Nada Yoga. I am truly blessed to have come across such amazing and life-changing teachers and instructors.
I’m proud of my business because I have very high standards when it comes to products. I do not sell products just because they’ll boost my profits or because they’re popular. I have to REALLY like them and use them personally. They have to pass my check-off list of being organic, wild-crafted, raw, unrefined, non-GMO, or the like. Because I know the effects of synthetic chemicals and ingredients, I choose to educate and only sell high quality products that will enhance your skin instead of adding toxins to your body.
My typical clientele are those with sensitive skin conditions like acne (teen & adult), psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. I also work with many who are experiencing stress and anxiety, or have a hard time meeting the challenges that come with everyday life. Those who are pre-surgery or even post-surgery, tend to come in for energy work or massage to de-stress and prepare themselves for temporary goals and self-care. I’ve worked with individuals who are confused about their direction in life, food, or work and I help unravel their knotted-pathways.
Overall, my mission is to create a sacred space for those who choose a transformational and healing path. Just as each individual should be celebrated for their uniqueness, each session I provide is customized with you at the heart of it.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing. I made so many mistakes throughout the years and I wouldn’t change a darn thing. These mistakes were huge life lessons and without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. In fact, mistakes are so good, I plan to make more in the future! My only hope is that I bounce back quicker than before…
Pricing:
- 60 minute Energy Balancing $75
- 60 minute Private Crystal Sound Bath $90
- 75 minute Youthful Aging Facial $115
- 90 minute Combination Massage $120
- 75 minute Wellness Guidance with Energetic Balancing– Initial Consultation $115
Contact Info:
- Address: Universal Touch
(inside Wellsprings Wellness Center)
2999 Westminster Ave., Ste 103-A,
Seal Beach, CA 90740 - Website: www.lesleyalmer.com
- Phone: 562-612-6742
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniversalTouch67/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/universal-touch-seal-beach
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/universaltouch/
Image Credit:
Seven Maldonado and Lesley Almer
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