From the time she first opened Bath House//Holistic Healing Studio in Greenville in October 2023, Alexandra Pettinaro has been on a journey of selflessness – one that helps facilitate the journeys of those who arrive at her studio seeking peace, serenity and inner growth. Recently, Alexandra met with Greenville & Hockessin Life to talk about sound healing and the place where mindfulness meets magic.

Greenville & Hockessin Life: Let’s begin by talking about your private pathway to embrace holistic healing. Was there an inspiring moment that led you to this destination, or was your interest developed slowly, over time?

Alexandra: My interest developed over time, and it was a series of events that led me to holistic healing. After graduating from the University of Delaware, I went to Jean Madeline Aveda Institute in Pennsylvania for Cosmetology, where I received my license as a cosmetologist and esthetician. I quickly learned, however, that I enjoyed esthetics much more than cosmetology, but soon after, COVID-19 hit. During lockdown, I found a facial educator on Instagram and I took her Comprehensive Holistic Healing course online. Once restrictions loosened, she held a holistic esthetics retreat in Texas, and it was there where I furthered my knowledge and honed my craft. Her sister, a sound healer, ended up joining the retreat and it was there when I experienced my first sound bath.

There were gongs, tuning forks, chimes, singing bowls -- so many instruments in the room. I gravitated towards the singing bowls and picked it up relatively quickly, so quickly in fact that the sound healer thought I already knew how to play, but I didn’t take it to heart until I got home. 

How did those experiences lead you to start Bath House//Holistic Healing Studio?

Once I left the retreat, I found that where I was working was in the process of closing, so I saw an opportunity. I invested in a set of singing bowls and started a pop-up studio in Powder Mill Square. Little by little, classes took off. At first, three people came to my classes, then eight, then twelve and then twenty. It gained momentum and soon enough it led to a bigger opportunity to find a more permanent fixture for Bath House. I chose this space in particular because of its outdoor courtyard, which is where we hold some of our classes.

Of the many classes and workshops Bath House//Holistic Healing Studio offers, a specialty is sound healing. For those not familiar with the healing nature of this technique, introduce them to what they can expect to feel and experience.

When you arrive, you can expect to remove your shoes and turn off your cell phone. You’ll find a mat space that feels right and help yourself to tea and tarot cards as you get settled. From there, you will lay down and let me guide you. All we’re trying to do in a sound bath meditation is slow our brainwaves down. We go through five brainwave cycles in a day: gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta, all of which are linked to creating a relaxed and calm state of mind, in a setting that allows you to close your eyes, meditate, or take a break from active thinking.

During a sound bath, the singing bowls emit frequencies that help to lull your brain waves to a slower state. We try to get down to Theta waves during a sound bath to a point where we’re still awake and aware, but in that ultra relaxed sweet spot. Each person experiences a sound bath differently; during my first sound bath, I felt overjoyed, giggly and very relaxed, but others may feel overwhelmed and intense. It’s all about intention and going into it with an open mind and open heart. 

Let’s talk about some additional classes being taught by your instructors. Megan Carpenter teaches Yin Essence --Yin Yoga with Reiki. By its title, I am suspecting that many aspects of healing are addressed in these classes, yes?

Megan is a great reiki practitioner and her touch is magic! 

Yin is a slower, more meditative style of yoga that focuses on holding passive poses for extended periods—typically three to five minutes or longer. This practice targets deep connective tissues like fascia, ligaments, and joints, rather than just muscles. By allowing these tissues to gently stretch and release, Yin Yoga helps to increase flexibility and promote the flow of energy through the body. It’s a deeply grounding practice that allows practitioners to turn inward and tap into their subtle body, where emotions, tension, and energy are stored.

Reiki is an energy healing practice that works with the body’s natural energy field. Reiki can help clear blockages, restore energetic balance, and promote deep relaxation. This is especially powerful when combined with Yin Yoga, as the long-held poses and deep stretches allow for the energy to move more freely, releasing emotional and physical blockages from the body and mind.

Both Yin Yoga and Reiki are deeply relaxing, allowing the nervous system to enter a state of calm and healing. This can be incredibly helpful for people who are experiencing stress, anxiety, or mental fatigue. By combining these practices, Megan creates a space where the mind and body can deeply unwind, reset and rejuvenate.

Then there is Yogalates with Stacey White. Everyone is at least somewhat familiar with the basics of Yoga, but how does Yogalates differ from it?

Yogalates with Stacey offers a balanced, well-rounded practice that blends the best of both worlds. It brings together the strength-building, core-focus of Pilates and the flexibility, fluidity, and mindful movement of Yoga, providing a unique way to enhance overall physical fitness. Whether you’re looking to deepen your flexibility, build core strength, or create a more balanced body, Yogalates offers a holistic approach to all those goals. It’s an excellent option for anyone looking to bring more strength and stability to their yoga practice, or to add a flow-based component to their Pilates routine. 

The beginning of class starts with somatic movements, and we finish with an extended savasana (laying down position) where Stacey offers pressure point activation and tuning forks. 

On your website, you refer to your studio as a place “where mindfulness meets magick.” Describe the connection.

At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment, with awareness and without judgment. It’s a practice of tuning into the body, breath, emotions, and mind, and observing them with clarity and compassion. When we bring mindfulness into our practices—whether it’s Yoga, meditation, energy work, or any of our other classes—we encourage participants to connect deeply with themselves, to become more aware of their internal states, and to cultivate a sense of calm amidst the chaos of daily life.

In our studio, mindfulness is woven into every class, interaction, and healing experience. Whether you’re practicing Yin Yoga, doing a Pilates flow, or receiving Reiki, the goal is to bring you into the present moment, to allow you to let go of distractions and tap into your body’s wisdom. This mindful presence creates a foundation for healing, growth, and personal transformation.

Magick, in this sense, isn’t about the supernatural or the mystical in a traditional sense. It’s about the transformative power of intentional practice, energy, and connection. It’s about the “shift” that happens when you align with your true self, when you break through old patterns, or when you experience profound moments of clarity, healing, or inspiration.

“Where mindfulness meets magick” isn’t just a tagline—it’s the experience we aim to cultivate. It’s about the profound transformation that happens when we are fully present with ourselves and our practice, when we allow space for growth, healing, and connection. The magick of that process is something both tangible and intangible, something you can feel deeply within, and that radiates out into your life.

It’s the quiet power of mindfulness meeting the expansive potential of transformation—the magic that happens when we show up fully and allow ourselves to be open to what is possible.

Whether it is through massage techniques, energy work, aromatherapy or sound healing, what are the inner signals a person should look for that tell them it is time to seek the healing arts?

The body often sends subtle but clear signals that it is time to seek support. These signals can manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here are some key inner signals to be mindful of:

chronic tension or pain; feeling overwhelmed or burned out; difficulty sleeping or restlessness; mood fluctuations; physical symptoms of stress; a desire for personal growth or healing; and sensory sensitivity.

In general, when we are too busy or distracted by day-to-day life, we can lose touch with our own inner rhythms. The act of seeking healing can be a gentle way to reconnect with your body and your needs in order to allow you to come back into balance. If you feel called to try one of these services, it’s likely a sign that your body and mind are ready for the healing that they offer.

For a person reading this article who has never done any classes in the healing arts but is interested in dipping their toes into those waters, how would you suggest they begin that journey?

None of our classes require any experience or knowledge, and we are open to everyone -- all bodies and all levels of experience, and our healers will guide them from start to finish. All of our classes and services are centered around nervous system regulation so each time you leave our studio feeling renewed and more connected to oneself. 

Some of the most enriching moments of classes in the healing arts are the conversations between teacher and student that occur after a class or a workshop, when the student begins to feel the work of connection beginning to start. 

What are your best moments as a teacher and healer?

One of the most powerful moments for me is when a student has a moment of deep realization or awareness – moments when they connect the dots, when they begin to understand how a specific emotion or past experience is affecting their physical body or energy. It’s a kind of magic, an “Aha!” moment when they realize that healing is not just about the body, but about the mind, emotions, and energy, too.

It’s not about the teacher imparting knowledge, but about the student realizing their own innate wisdom, strength and healing capacity. When they tell you they feel stronger, more aligned, or more in touch with their true selves, that’s when you know that the work has shifted from external guidance to internal transformation. As a teacher, it’s incredibly rewarding to see someone begin to trust their own intuition, and to feel their sense of self-worth and inner peace blossom.

In the end, the best moments for me as a teacher and healer are the ones where I see students begin to take ownership of their healing journey. It’s when they start to trust themselves more, to feel empowered and recognize the incredible potential they hold within. That’s the magic of this work—creating the space for self-discovery and transformation and watching each person bloom in their own unique way.

What is your favorite spot in Greenville or Hockessin?

I have two: Indulgence Jewelers in Greenville and the Floorplay Studio in Hockessin. 

You host a dinner party and can invite anyone – living or not, famous or not. Who would you like to see sitting at that dinner table?

From a fictional standpoint, I would like to invite Rick Sanchez, Mr. Fox, Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy, Aang the Last Airbender and Monkey D. Luffy. From real life, I would invite Steve Irwin, whom I admired for his commitment to wildlife and his family. I would also invite Morgan le Fay -- also known as Morgana – who was more than just King Arthur’s half-sister, but a force of nature and her legendary spells and shape-shifting abilities are the stuff of folklore. Finally, I would invite Lady Gaga, the filmmaker Wes Anderson and Cleopatra. 

What food or beverage can always be found in your refrigerator?

Coconut water. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so you’ll always find eggs!

Bath House//Holistic Healing Studio is located at 3801 Kennett Pike Building C Unit 109, Greenville, Del. 19807. To learn more about Bath House, visit www.thebathhousegreenville.com or text or call (302) 319-5112.