About me

Hi! I’m Stephanie Barnard, a Reiki Practitioner, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and photographer with a passion for capturing both energy and emotion—whether through movement, stillness, or the lens of my camera. My journey into wellness and photography has been shaped by personal challenges, deep transformation, and a desire to help others reconnect with themselves.

My Path to Wellness

In high school, I felt constantly weighed down by frustration, sadness, and anger. Any free time I had was spent binge-watching shows on Netflix (my favorite was Supernatural) as a way to escape emotions I didn’t understand. I didn’t know a happy life was possible. During my senior year, I would break down crying in my classes, not knowing why. It was a cycle of emotional turmoil, and I felt stuck in it.

When I got to college, I realized that life didn’t have to feel that way. I started therapy, where I learned about self-compassion—a concept that felt foreign at first but brought me to tears when I understood how harshly I had been treating myself. Therapy introduced me to new perspectives and tools, but I still struggled with anxiety and depression. My therapist suggested medication, which helped temporarily, lifting some of the fog. But when it began to lose its effectiveness, I felt myself slipping back and knew I needed something different.

This search led me to yoga. My first class was Yin Yoga, which felt approachable given how long it had been since I’d moved my body. By the end of that class, I felt relaxed in a way I never had before. Yoga gradually became a grounding practice, a way to connect with myself. Over time, I expanded to other styles like Hatha, which challenged me to stay present and face discomfort. I knew then that yoga was bringing me relief and insight that medication hadn’t, so I chose to stop taking it and fully commit to my practice.

Eventually, I decided to deepen my practice by enrolling in a yoga teacher training. Although I was nervous, I felt called to it. That training became a transformative experience. I learned to regulate my thoughts and emotions, seeing them as natural parts of life rather than obstacles. Teaching came with its own challenges, and while nerves haven’t completely disappeared, yoga taught me that life is about experiencing everything—not just the positive. Through practice, I learned that we can choose how we respond to our emotions, allowing them to guide us rather than overwhelm us.

Around this time, one of my yoga teachers offered a Reiki training. I didn’t fully know what Reiki was, but I was drawn to her teachings and enrolled. My first experience with Reiki felt surreal—sensing energy through my hands was incredible, though my mind wrestled with the concept. Still, I continued to practice, and after my second training, I noticed a shift in my awareness, particularly in my relationship with media and external input. I became more conscious of how constant stimulation affected my internal world, leading me to cut back on screen time and reconnect with myself.

Yoga Nidra was another transformative discovery. After my first Yoga Nidra session, I felt a profound sense of peace and freedom from mental constraints. It was a state of deep relaxation that touched my physical, mental, and emotional layers. Later, I pursued a Yoga Nidra certification, delving into the incredible potential this practice holds. For me, Yoga Nidra remains one of the most effective ways to release stress, let go of anxieties, and connect inwardly.

Photography as Energy Work

While I was on this journey of self-discovery, another passion was quietly growing alongside it—photography. I first picked up a camera in 2016, drawn to the way it allowed me to pause, observe, and capture something beyond just the visual—something energetic. At first, I carried my camera everywhere, simply documenting the world around me. But as I deepened my understanding of yoga, Reiki, and energy work, I began to see photography as something more than just creating images.

For me, photography is another form of energy work. It’s not just about freezing a moment in time but about capturing a frequency—an essence that can be felt. Whether I’m photographing a yoga practice, a Reiki session, a mother and her child, or a wellness brand, my intention is always the same: to create images that hold a vibration people can tune into. Just like emotions and energy are always present, waiting to be tapped into, I believe photos can do the same. They can evoke stillness, joy, warmth, connection. They can shift energy, just like a deep breath or a moment of mindfulness.

Rooted Bliss Wellness: A Space for Connection

All these practices—vinyasa yoga, Reiki, Yoga Nidra, and photography—have become pillars in my life, and they are the foundation of what I offer at Rooted Bliss Wellness. Whether through movement, stillness, or imagery, my mission is to help you reconnect with yourself and experience life more fully.

Through personalized yoga sessions, Reiki healing, Yoga Nidra, and intentional photography, I create spaces where you can feel seen, supported, and aligned. Having navigated my own path through anxiety, depression, and self-discovery, I’m passionate about offering the same sense of clarity and peace to others.

If you’re ready to explore your own journey—whether through a private wellness session or a photography experience that captures more than just an image—I’m here to walk alongside you. Let’s grow, heal, and discover together—through movement, stillness, and everything in between. Because true wellness isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about creating lasting practices that nurture your mind, body, and spirit.