Teri (aka Gaia Renee) Vacek and her family have lived in Benicia for five years. You may not know her, but chances are  you've driven by The Earth Touch Healing Arts Center.

As we sat down to chat, in the welcoming foyer of the center, Gaia told me that its relatively new home, on Grant Street in the Historic Benicia Arsenal District, was built in the early 1900s and originally served as the post office for the army.  

Gaia and her extended family — husband of 34 years, Wayne; their two daughters, Stacey and Courtney,grandson, Michael; and Gaia's brother and his family —live within a stone's throw of one another.

"In fact," she said, "my oldest daughter, Stacey, is lead massage therapist at the center. Ours is a small  family but a closely knit one."

Gaia says she loves the  feel of Benicia and sees it as a wonderful place to raise her 3-year-old grandson, Michael. She enjoys the New England-like atmosphere, the water,  and the peaceful beauty of the surroundings. "Benicia is tucked away, it's a real gem, yet it's not so far away from San Francisco that it feels remote," she added. 

I first met Gaia in November 2008, when her center was on First Street.  Little did I know that my 88-year-old mother would suffer a stroke one month later. Fortunately, for me, at this very difficult time I came to depend on Gaia, the healing center, the Sunday morning meditations, and the full moon drumming circles as an integral part of my life and support system. Yes, I have been fortunate to have found not only a wonderful friend but also a dynamic mentor.

"I didn't begin as a healer. Actually, I am on my second career," she said. "Originally, I was  in the mortgage banking and finance industry in Texas. When my family and I moved to California, I continued to work in the finance and mortgage  arenas. However, when Wayne became very ill,  I began looking into nontraditional healing modalities."

This journey first led her to become a Reiki practitioner. About four month later, she received her massage therapist's license. "I walked away from the world of finance and began my journey into energy work, and I've never looked back."  

In addition and to honor her native American heritage (she's Comanche and Irish), Gaia holds  full-moon drumming circles in conjunction with a sister drumming circle in Temecula. Hand-held drums, wind chimes, rain sticks and various musical instruments, as well as chanting, are heard in the circle. Anyone is welcome to attend this joyous celebration of nature, life, healing and the many blessings we each have in our lives.

Where does Gaia hopes to see the Earth Touch Healing Arts Center in five years? "First, I want to mention that the center just was named the Top Solano County 2010 Day Spa," she smiles. Now that she's found her niche and life's path, her "ultimate goal is to have a holistic healing center that would offer reike classes, acupuncture,  homeopathy,  a tea shop,  energy work, and complete  healing for the body, mind and spirit."