From Corporate Finance to Holistic Healing: The Journey to Spinal Flow and Breathwork

In this illuminating episode of the Leander Scoop podcast, host TJ Larkin sits down with Holly Bentley, owner of Breathe Flow Heal in Cedar Park. After years in finance and corporate America, Holly made a bold career pivot to holistic wellness, bringing transformative healing modalities to the local community. Her journey from chronic pain to healing practitioner offers powerful insights into alternative approaches to wellness that are gaining mainstream acceptance.

From Corporate Career to Healing Journey

Holly Bentley's path to becoming a holistic wellness practitioner began with her own health struggles. After experiencing severe back pain following her twin pregnancy, she spent seven years seeking relief through conventional treatments like chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy.

"I was shocked at why my back wasn't getting better. I had to be careful how I lift things. My husband had to carry the laundry basket for me, and I couldn't even pick up my twins past the age of three, which was really sad," Holly shares.

Her breakthrough came when she discovered that emotional trauma might be at the root of her persistent physical pain. After experiencing significant grief—losing four family members in 2021—Holly realized her body was stuck in a state of fight-or-flight rather than healing. This realization led her to discover Spinal Flow, a healing modality that would transform her life and inspire her new career.

The Science Behind Spinal Flow Therapy

Spinal Flow is a hands-on healing technique developed by an Australian chiropractor who combined elements of network spinal analysis, craniosacral therapy, and kinesiology. This gentle approach works with the body's natural healing capabilities by addressing blockages in the spine that may be restricting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

"When we're holding onto tension or stress in our bodies, it creates blockages in our spine that can constrict nerves going to all our organs, cells, and tissues," Holly explains. "It's like stomping on a water hose—we're not able to freely flow and be in a good healing state because we're in fight or flight."

During a Spinal Flow session, practitioners use specific access points on the sacrum, tailbone, and cranium to enhance communication between the brain and body. This helps regulate the nervous system, moving clients from a stressed "fight-or-flight" state to a calm "rest-and-digest" state where natural healing can occur.

The Transformative Power of Breathwork

Complementing her Spinal Flow practice, Holly also facilitates somatic breathwork sessions. This powerful technique helps people release emotional blockages by turning off what she calls the "default mode network"—the part of our brain that keeps us in overthinking patterns.

"I joke around with people when they're like, 'Is it okay if I get loud?' I tell my family, I am an adult temper tantrum specialist," Holly laughs. "We are all always buttoned up, shoving stuff down, trying not to feel these huge emotions. And when you get in a place where you're with a facilitator, we're talking you through it, we have music going, you're in a safe space to release—it's huge."

Holly has witnessed remarkable emotional releases during breathwork sessions, from tears and laughter to powerful expressions of grief and anger. For many clients, these sessions provide a much-needed outlet for emotions they've suppressed for decades.

Real Results: Client Success Stories

The impact of Holly's work speaks for itself through client success stories:

"A lady came to me after a car accident with shoulder pain. I only did three sessions with her—two Spinal Flow sessions and a breathwork session. During her last session, she had this epiphany about her abandonment issues. She sat up and said, 'I just realized that everything I've told you is just a story that I've been carrying for 50 years. There's no reason to do that anymore.'" When Holly checked in months later, the client reported her pain hadn't returned.

Other success stories include a woman whose back and hip pain disappeared after 13-14 sessions, a cancer patient who was able to reduce multiple medications, and improvements in mobility for clients with conditions like fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.

Resources Mentioned:

• Books:

  • "The Body Keeps the Score"

  • Books by Dr. Joe Dispenza

• Documentary:

  • "Heal" documentary

• Local Wellness Centers:

  • Energy Room in Cedar Park (behind Torchy's)

  • Kind Folk Apothecary on Whitestone

Embracing Holistic Wellness in Cedar Park

As Cedar Park continues to grow and evolve, so too does its wellness landscape. Holly's practice represents a bridge between conventional therapy and holistic healing approaches. She's already collaborating with talk therapists who refer clients when they're stuck or overwhelmed by traditional methods.

"I've had a couple therapists that I've met with that are gonna start sending clients to me when they get stuck, when they are frustrated, when they feel like quitting therapy," Holly notes.

If you're struggling with physical pain, emotional blocks, or simply curious about holistic healing approaches, explore what Breathe Flow Heal offers. You can book directly through their website at breathe-flow-heal.com or attend one of their group breathwork events that combine multiple healing modalities.

Remember: your body has an innate intelligence and capacity for healing that might just need the right conditions to flourish.