When Sue and Mark Siegrist, husband and wife, opened The Restorative Center this past May, they knew they wanted to provide a different kind of complementary health center. Instead of a medical-like setting, they focused on providing holistic and Eastern medicinal healing such as acupuncture, herbs, yoga, therapeutic massage and energy work in a calming environment where clients receive individualized care.

Sue is a registered yoga teacher and Mark, a licensed acupuncturist. The couple met 10 years ago in a kung fu class and realized they held a mutual interest in natural health modalities. Sue became intrigued by yoga after her sifu—kung fu teacher—at the time suggested that she try it. “I thought, ‘That’s crazy,’” Sue laughs, “but it eventually happened, and then I started teaching.”

She became a registered yoga teacher through YogaLife Institute, in Devon, and also trained in several other yogic traditions. Sue’s business, Tula Yoga, merged into The Restorative Center, where fellow yoga teachers David Meyer, Kris Marino, Stephanie Stegmeyer, Tammy Brady and Sophia Bonifante join her to offer hot yoga (Bikram style and vinyasa), hatha yoga, modified yoga and restorative yoga. “You don’t have to go to all different studios to participate in different types of yoga,” Sue says. “Here, you can choose which forms you like, making yoga more accessible.”

Mark’s interest in acupuncture was influenced by martial arts, which prompted him to research Eastern philosophy and eventually Eastern medicine. He trained in acupressure and shiatsu massage before studying acupuncture at Eastern School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, in New Jersey. He also learned Chinese herbology at the Won Institute. Mark was in business for nearly eight years as Seven Star Acupuncture.

“I always wanted to be on my own and to have my own complementary clinic,” Mark says. “Sue already had a following with her yoga, and we were at a point where it was time to consider our own center.”

While acupuncture and yoga are the two main services offered at The Restorative Center, another complementary wellness service is shiatsu shin tai massage, which involves pressure techniques over acupoints—the points and meridians of acupuncture—thus working with the physical body, muscles and joints.

New to the center is ashiatsu massage, also known as barefoot massage, offered by Raeann Walter. Using bars suspended from the ceiling for balance, the ashiatsu therapist “walks” on the patient’s back. Mark says that Walter is one of the few therapists in the Reading area offering this type of massage. Walter also provides raindrop therapy.

Also new to The Restorative Center is the ionic foot detox, a foot soak that helps rid the body of heavy metals and sugars. The foot soak creates negative and positive charges that allow the body to attract and use the negative ions to rebalance and release toxins.

The Siegrists enjoy getting out into the community to participate in demonstrations and educational events, such as Sue’s free yoga series at the Exeter Community Library. Restorative Center’s practitioners attended a street fair in Antrium, and Karma Fest, in Pottstown. Reiki practitioner Susan Drey frequently gives community talks.

“We like getting out and talking to people because we treat the whole person, not just their temporary health situation, which makes this a very individualized process,” Mark says.

The public can learn more about The Restorative Center and its services at a grand opening celebration, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., September 10. The event promises acupuncture demonstrations, yoga classes, reiki and shiatsu massage.

The Restorative Center is located at 6 Hearthstone Ct., Ste. 304, in Reading. For more information, call 610-781-1430 or visit TheRestorativeCenter.com.

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.