Despite the trials and tribulations of the current pandemic, Maria Carvalho Sandoval of Fire Bird Healing in Burlington continues to serve the community “with love and devotion, in ceremony with the elements, my guides, ancestors, and Great Spirit,” explains Maria.

“I look forward to receiving you in my healing studio in the Old North End,” Maria says. “Fire Bird Healing is a space for clients to feel safe, process unresolved experiences, release blockages, and receive an influx of life force energy. Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs, and your body always leads the way.”

Crystals and Herbs Augment Healing

Clients may choose to have a Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Prenatal Massage, Reiki healing, joint rotations, or breathwork. For every massage, Craniosacral and Reiki are included as well as a special crystal grid under the massage table. The studio is full of crystals, plants, tapestries from around the world, handmade art, treasures from nature, candles, sacred objects, and dried herbs. Maria uses homemade herbal-infused body oils with plants she grows herself for massage, including CBD to help with pain relief.

A Healing Sanctuary

“I’ve created a sanctuary where people feel safe to relax, release, and receive,” says Maria. “I allow ample time before and after the session to check in with my client and really listen to them. I offer any insight, messages, or visions that I receive during their time on my table. My clients describe walking into the room as a healing experience in itself. It’s alive with magic, light, protection, and beauty.” 

Maria is also a jewelry designer and has worked with crystals for over ten years. She began seeing clients five years ago and has continued with trainings every year to deepen her skills. “I work with the crystals in healing sessions, sometimes placed on a client’s body, and always in a special formation under the massage table,” she said. “Lomi Lomi guides everything I do in my office. This is like a sacred dance with the elements, especially water.”

The massage begins with long, flowing strokes up and down the body to help soothe and calm the client, Maria explains. Every touch is intentional, respectful, and intuitive. 

“I weave in gentle joint rotations to help unwind buried tension,” she says. “I include Reiki and Craniosacral Therapy into every massage I give. I also offer sound healing with singing bowls, rattles, bells, drumming, and chanting to aid in the process. Guided visualization is used as well, especially during breathwork. In the healing sessions I offer, I draw from all of the modalities I have been trained in.”

All Are Welcome

Maria describes her practice as being “queer-friendly, trauma-informed, and heart-centered.” 

Due to COVID-19, only one to two clients are seen per day in order to maintain a safe environment. Maria and her clients wear masks. She uses an air purifier and cleans deeply between clients. In-person, hands-off sessions are available if a client needs that, as well as distance healing for those who are unable to come to the office.

Appointments require a deposit. However, a sliding scale payment plan is available for those who need healing care but are unable to pay the full amount. Special prices are also available for Black and Indigenous people, people of color, and trans folks, “Because I want to support you amidst the oppressive systems of our world,” says Maria. For more information and to schedule appointments, visit www.FireBirdHealing.com.