EMPOWER Grad Zen Den Aiming to Provide Transformative Wellness Experience
After three years of study at Centro de Terapia de Polaridad in Tepoztlán, Mexico, Zen Den was founded in 2019 by sole practitioner and native Rhode Islander Julia Collins. A cum laude biology graduate of St. Lawrence University in upstate NY, Julia went on to complete the Charles Darwin Foundation summer internship in the Galapagos Islands. She traveled to Nicaragua for yoga training, California for Polarity Therapy, and ultimately, Mexico, where she completed her apprenticeship and program in Polarity. Upon returning to Rhode Island, she founded Zen Den with near-instant success. Julia expanded her practice in 2022 with the addition of two more practitioners and currently stands as a formidable team of seven!
But why Polarity, and why Rhode Island? While the response to polarity and other ancient medicine therapies is wildly popular–as evidenced by Zen Den’s overnight sensation in Newport–there is a huge need for more practitioners to support the high demand. In an estimated $2.8BN US market, there are only a lean ~174,000 professional subtle energy/biofield practitioners dotted across the nation, and all with only one training school available in the US [Colorado]. Julia aims to change that and ultimately expand her reach by opening a training program here in Rhode Island. While also providing life-changing services to our beloved community at large through Zen Den, Julia’s envisioned training program will usher in a host of new practitioners throughout the East Coast.
So, what is polarity therapy? Polarity therapy (or polarity balancing) is a form of energy therapy based on the belief that changing your body’s electromagnetic field can aid in the treatment of various bodily issues; developed as an alternative medicine by Dr. Randolph Stone (an osteopath, chiropractor, and naturopath) in 1947. Zen Den offers this therapy and other ancient medicines, such as Thai and Ayurvedic Bodywork, Shiatsu, Yoga, Craniosacral Therapy, and Crystal Sessions. All with the goal of improving mind, body, and spirit.
How NEMIC Became Involved
In 2023, NEMIC launched a brand new program aimed at serving Minority and Women Business Enterprises [MBEs and WBEs] in Rhode Island. Funded by Rhode Island Commerce, NEMIC’s EMPOWER program consists of 2 key parts: a mini-accelerator & technical assistance program and a lecture & events series. Founder Julia Collins applied for and was accepted to the EMPOWER program, where Zen Den and 11 other awardees received funding to grow their businesses further.
Beginning in October of 2023, EMPOWER programming components for Zen Den include Business and Strategic Advisory, Digital Marketing, and Operational Development. Zen Den most recently participated in NEMIC’s 2024 Spring Showcase, where Julia presented to a group of 150+ attendees to spread awareness about polarity, her successful business, and the help that energy and bodywork can provide to so many. Stay tuned to follow along Julia’s journey as Zen Den expands to new heights.
