Written by A Wild Dove | Photographed by Osvaldo Ponton
Walking into The Sacred Space’s lofty entrance in Miami’s Wynwood Arts Disctrict, at first glance you may not expect its gallery-like setting to be the perfect venue for a kid-friendly escape. Crisp white, neon-lit, and peppered with crystals, the gilded LOVE OVER FEAR sign drenched in sunlight is the first hint at founder Karla Dascal’s holistic, community-driven vision. An attitude that “love is everything” drives Dascal’s efforts toward conscious, high-vibrational living (not to mention years of recognition as one of the top event designers in the country) and sets the stage for this singular urban oasis she’s created in the heart of the city.
In an effort to open the experience to parents and children for the first time, A Wild Dove teamed up with The Joy Alchemist to host the multi-dimensional Magical Wellness Wonderland experience. The whispers-only atmosphere that so often comes along with formal spaces was delightfully skirted by an inclusive opportunity to share mindful practices with our youngest generation. And isn’t that the point? An afternoon of thoughtful experiences offered kids an introduction into everything from healing crystals to meditation—plus a wealth of hands-on creative outlets and healthy snacks thanks to Radiate Kombucha and Cielito Artisan Pops.
Meeting of the minds. Founder of The Sacred Space, Karla Dascal (left), founder of The Joy Alchemist Daniela Garcia (center) with Lynn Levoy.
Lil’ guests chose their spirit animals, from butterflies to lions and tigers, as inspiration for the afternoon’s outdoor face painting station.
In The Sacred Space’s lush courtyard, A Wild Dove’s Lynn Levoy with Buffy Koczwara (left) and Orion Nevel, Co-Founder of Gryph & IvyRose.
Gathering inside the serene sanctuary, The Cristalline’s Rashia Bell helped children get a first grasp at the importance of their day-to-day environment and the powers of energetic stones. Breathing lessons got a hands-on boost from Komuso’s wearable tool The Shift, which doubles as a necklace to encourage pausing, destressing, and feeling present in the moment. Gryph & IvyRose joined the group with their pediatrician-approved line of children’s elixirs (and organic heart-shaped chocolates!) designed to boost miniature immune systems with a blend of Traditional Chinese Medicine and organic herbs.
Sweet treats in the form of artisanal vegan popsicles were quick hits from the Cielito Artisan Pops spread.
Daniela Garcia, Lauren Arboleda, Laura Galvis, Rebecca Eisenmann, Annette Felder, Paloma Teppa, Sarah MacMillan, Mary Gamarra, Danielle Bigby, Lynn Levoy
Lounging on blankets of painting tarps, children mixed up their finger-painting instincts with stamps cleverly cut from repurposed peppers, potatoes, apples, lemons and even celery stalks.
Whether making fruit stamps in Gryph & IvyRoses’s natural art lessons, bonding over braids by Shop Flow, or reading A Time for Rain aloud with New York Times best-selling co-author Kelly Brogan M.D., age barriers blurred for the day of future-focused wellness workshops.
Author of the children’s book A Time for Rain, Kelly Brogan host a storytelling gathering.
Circling up for a moment for instruction. Rashia Bell, co-founder of The Cristalline, hosts her workshop on the energetic power of crystals and a customized meditation practice.
The next generation. Grouping up with the founders and their very special guests.