By Brittany Kelley KYLE — After working at a luxury spa in California, Lori Claxton-Anthony and Troya Rollins looked at each other and declared that they could “do it better.” One pandemic and a move to Texas later, the pair is now operating Bungalow 7 Wellness Collection, a massage and meditation spa focused on uplifting women, in Kyle.
The spa offers a variety of massage services, such as deep tissue, couples, lymphatic, Swedish, hot stone and prenatal, as well as chakra balancing, sound baths and guided meditation.
While providing these experiences, reiki master Rollins noted that the spa aims to include minorities in the way that their previous workplace failed to. For example, she mentioned that for those with darker complexions, it was difficult to use cream provided, as many contained bleach, or hair products that were not meant for natural hair, it was catered to straight, thin hair: “We wanted there to be an experience where you didn’t need to bring a bag [of your own products] because there would be products and things that you could use, that [made you] feel like you were part of the event and not like you came into a space — paid what everyone else paid — but could only use half.”
Through these services, as well as retreats, the duo aims to create an environment that provides comfort and safety to guests.
Claxton-Anthony, who is a reiki master and has been a massage therapist for 22 years, noted that there are different experiences for guests depending on who they choose. If someone is seeking a zen, calming and serene massage, she encourages them to book her, while those who like to chat and discuss their days during the session would have a better encounter with Rollins.
“To me, half of relaxation is being able to feel comfortable with the person that you’re with,” explained Rollins. “When [a client] walks in, I ask, ‘How do you feel? What were you like yesterday? What did you do? What did you eat?’ And same with me, like, ‘Oh I ran into the garage this morning’ and then, that guard is down. So, when they come in, they can breathe easy … When they walk out, they’re like, ‘Oh my god. I feel great. I feel amazing.’ Because we worked on it from not only a physical standpoint, but we worked on it from an emotional one, as well.”
It is during these massage sessions that Rollins and Claxton-Anthony will, on a case-by-case basis, offer additional assistance to guests. If when speaking to a client, they notice that they are struggling on a deeper level, they will ask if they are interested in life-coaching.
As two women that have experienced many walks of life — breast cancer, divorce, motherhood, times when women were required to have a man’s signature for a loan, homelessness, etc. — they have a mission to meet women where they’re at to provide advice and an action plan for the situation they are in.
“We try to help them get to where they want to be and help. Sometimes you don’t know where you want to be; you just know you’re not there. You just need the right questions and the right coaching and the right people around you to become the best version of you,” said Rollins.
These women can also attend sister circles, which are held biweekly at The Winfield Inn, located at 900 Scott St. According to Rollins, a lot of women are caterers and are often not catered to, so each time they meet, she will cook a meal and they will discuss what each attendee has been going through. On the last Sunday of each month, a potluck will be held, where they will participate in workshops created by Rollins and Claxton-Anthony.
The wellness collection also hosts retreats. Previously, the pair had to search and rent out facilities, as they had no space for it, but since opening their Kyle location at The Winfield Inn, are happy to expand their annual retreat to a quarterly retreat.
These retreats have two options: one that is curated to a group or one that is created by the spa. The first ranges from 10-12 guests, often from a company, and the experience is curated based on a questionnaire sent to the organization, while the second takes individuals that do not know each other and focuses on self-love and aspects of growth, explained Rollins.
“They feel seen, heard and supported. People build friendships and when we say we’re building community, that is really what we want to do,” stressed Claxton-Anthony. “We’re building a community that stays with us and people get to know each other and people get to interact. That’s why we’re hoping to get more involved in Kyle and having more things at The Winfield, so that the greater community can come.”
The first retreat at the Kyle location will be held in September and is a couples retreat in conjunction with a licensed relationship counselor, said Claxton-Anthony.
After visiting Bungalow 7, the owners hope that guests feel seen and know that there is a support system available for them.
“I hope that they take away that they’re never alone because that seems to be the biggest hurdle that we all hate to get over — that feeling of feeling like you’re doing this alone,” concluded Rollins.
Bungalow 7 Wellness Collection has an Oak Hill location at 5901 Old Fredericksburg Road, Unit A-103 and operates out of both facilities on varying days. For more information, visit www. b7wc.com.
PHOTO BY BRITTANY KELLEY Pictured, the dining room at The Winfield Inn, where community members can gather biweekly for sister circles. The wellness collection aims to foster a safe environment for community members to gather and grow.
PHOTO BY BRITTANY KELLEY Quarterly retreats hosted by Bungalow 7 Wellness Collection will be held at The Winfield Inn, located at 900 Scott St. The first retreat at the Kyle location will be in September. Pictured is a room that attendees will stay in.
