Ariela Hayes, owner of Love & Light, an inspirational store in Christiansted, said she offers the tools to help people live the life they were meant live.
“Happiness is a choice,” Hayes said. “I have things here to make people happy. People even say they feel good when they enter the shop. There is something about self-healing that people are drawn to.”
The shop air is redolent with fragrant incense burning, while peaceful sounds of nature play from a DVD player.
The store that opened last December at 1A Queen St. has items to help with personal and spiritual growth and for finding peace and relaxation. The shelves are stocked with scented candles, books on metaphysics, crystals and healing stones. Hayes stocks spiritual music DVDs, energizing pyramids, incense, yoga accessories, jewelry, tarot cards, and more.
Brandon O’Reilly, shopping in the store with his buddies recently, said he was happy the store was in town.
“This kind of store was unheard of here,” O’Reilly said. “I’m extremely happy she is here. I’m new at using crystals and I’m very curious about them and what they can do for me.”
He said he is looking for new experiences and to become more knowledgeable about using crystals during meditation.
Hayes was certified in 2010 as a body/mind counselor and energy healing practitioner at Lionheart Institute of Transpersonal Energy Healing in Los Angeles, Calif.
Hayes says energy healing is a natural therapeutic treatment complimentary to every health practice there is. It is for all who like to enhance the results of their health and wellness strategies to achieve optimum wholeness and happiness.
She has held mini workshops for employees of the V.I. Department of Education and at Golden Grove Correctional Facility on making the choice to be happy and encourage feelings that help to make a day go better. Hayes can be reached at 1-340-514-7732 for information about counseling and to set up individual energy healing sessions.
She said she has always been in tune with energy even as a child.
“I’ve been in tune with people, nature and animals for as long as I can remember. I felt I was different than other kids.”
She added she feels she has had past lives.
“I think I was around at a time when I would’ve been persecuted for being a healer,” Hayes said.
Hayes was born and raised on St. Croix and graduated from Good Hope School in 1998. She moved to California to study fashion at the California Art Institute. She said things weren’t working out for her in California so in 2010 she moved back to St. Croix and worked for a brief time for Arcadis Environmental at Hovensa.
“I decided, why should I struggle with things, so I started looking for a place to open a shop,” Hayes said. “The help and money just happened to be available and everything lined up perfectly.”
All candles are on sale for 20 percent off during December. She invited people to stop in and talk to her about issues they are having. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
