During stressful times, Suzanne Carrier, a resident of Bow for the past 31 years, focuses on creating balance and a peaceful existence.

A mother and grandmother, Carrier has always considered herself to be a nurturing and empowering service to others. Founder and owner of Gateway to Inner Peace, Carrier expanded her natural ability to become a holistic healing arts practitioner eight years ago.

Carrier said she worked for the Arthritis Foundation for more than 10 years and needed a change.

“Being intrigued by alternative approaches and medicine led me to the Polarity Realization Institute in Massachusetts,” Carrier said.

She is a licensed massage therapist and is trained in several other alternative healing techniques, which awaken many of the senses. She uses warm stones with essential oils, aromatherapy, relaxing music, crystal singing bowls and tuning forks, and different energy healing techniques to create harmony and inner alignment.

“Along the way, sound healing became the focus of my practice. Every cell in our body is a sound resonator. All the cells, organs and systems respond to sound vibration, as do our spiritual, mental and emotional states of being,” she said.

Carrier, who built her practice at home, reassuringly helps people of all ages experience inner peace and a feeling of wellness.

“I’ve studied with many wonderful people to offer what I do at Gateway to Inner Peace. A sacred healing space is created for each client and each session is different. My clients are able to accept themselves as they are, know that they are OK and they are no longer over-shadowed by their daily life experiences and they can tap into some silence.”

Many people believe there is something wrong with them, or that they need to be changed or fixed, she said.

“It is all about being in a place of wellness and being OK with who you are inside,” said Carrier. “I feel my role is to empower people so they lead a more fulfilling life.”

Carrier said clients come to her for many different reasons.

“The initial contact may be because of a physical ailment. Sometimes it is more emotional. We all experience trauma, feel overwhelmed and are left with unresolved emotions. Emotions are not good or bad, they are messages from our conscious and subconscious awareness,” said Carrier.

To have a healthy perspective, emotions need to be balanced, she said.

“Often times, it is limited beliefs about one self or feeling inadequate, which brings an unsettled mind.

Sometimes, it is more spiritual. There is a sense of disconnection; they are no longer feeling fullness in their hearts, feeling separate and a longing for a deeper meaning to their lives. Sometimes, my clients come to me as a last resort, or they are referred to me because what they are doing just doesn’t seem to be working,” Carrier said.

Carrier said she sees her work expanding into helping families.

“Our children are also over-whelmed at home and at school. Their energy systems are very sensitive. Children react to many substances in their food and environment, including stress at home. All of this will affect their behavior and their ability to focus. Energy healing can bring about changes and our children need self-acceptance. Our foundation is our home. It needs to be stable,” said Carrier.

Along with her healing space, Carrier has a unique backyard. Nestled among the trees is a labyrinth that she created to help her experience inner peace. According to Carrier, a labyrinth is like a peaceful winding journey.

“You can’t get lost and you don’t have to think about how to find your way because it leads you to the center. There is only one way in and one way out,” she said.

Made from stones, Carrier added positive messages found on rocks, little crystals, dragonflies and angel statues to read along the way. Why did she create a labyrinth?

“A friend of mine invited me to her home where she had a labyrinth. I fell in love with it immediately. We had an area in the backyard that was perfect and my husband and I put it together,” she said.

She did not know much about labyrinths, but knew there would be one on her property.

“I try to walk it every day, and now I have my granddaughter to join me. It helps in centering and connecting to the earth and helps me remain grounded,” said Carrier.

Gateway to Inner Peace is located at 96 Knox Road in Bow and Carrier can be reached at 224-1648.