Tonia has been living in Loudoun County for seven years, raising her family and studying healing arts such as reiki and shamanism. Currently living in Leesburg, she has found her search for health and wellness a benefit to not only her family, but to the community beyond.

Tell us your name, age and where you are from originally.

Tonia B., 42 years old and originally from Alliance, Ohio

Do you own a website?

Calmingwinds is a place where I showcase my jewelry and share my ideas of how to give to yourself in a positive manner.

Tell us about your immediate family.

My family consists of my husband, Karl, who is my perfect partner in life.  He offers every woman’s dream; he puts his family first but also doesn’t mind helping with the household chores.  In addition, I have four boys ranging in ages from six to twelve and included in our home we have my Mother who joined us a little over a year ago but still living life well working at the local hospital and buzzing the town in her convertable bug.

What makes you a LoCoWoman?

I became a LoCo Woman in September 2002 after returning from living in Kiev, Ukraine for a couple years.  I’ve come to love Loudoun County and continue to strive to learn all the special places the county has to offer.

What are you famous for?

All over the world you will find women wearing my jewelry designs. In addition, I strive to live life with compassion for others and give my family options on how to handle medical issues.  I’m a Reiki Practitioner and when time permits, I study Shamanic Medicine and we will explore alternative methods of healing before jumping in the car to run to the doctor’s office.(editor’s note: she is also the most amazing hostess, ever)

What is your “style,” or what defines your motivation in life?

My style is “Mothering Chic,” which is finding something casual, clean and comfortable.

What is your favorite quote and/or mantra?

“Take the time to give that last kiss.”  Its my own quote because you never know if it will be the last time you see that person. Life is a journey and it should never be taken for granted.

Where in LoCo do you love to spend your time?

There are several places you can find me: often I may be found hiking Morven Park looking for milky quartz; some Friday nights you can locate me in Esoterica enjoying the drum circle and when I can sneak an extra fifteen minutes I love to enjoy a hot chocolate at Greenbriar coffee shop.  Actually all these places are located in Leesburg, Virginia. But, my favorite time is spent in my own back yard swinging while viewing my flower gardens.

What do you do when you are not sleeping?

Depends on the day and hour.  Through out the day I wear several hats. Mothering being my primary responsibility but I consider myself a jewelry designer, volunteer, tour guide to visitors, future Food Network host (just kidding) and a book critic.

Describe your perfect meal.

My perfect meal is simply a nice loaf of bread, cheese and fruit.

Are you spiritual, religious, neither or indefinable?

I would define myself as spiritual.

Describe your best friend.

Defining one person as my best friend would be difficult as there are several women in my life who I feel as though tzsshey are my spiritual sisters.  One is quite the hippy chic who won’t touch meat and will drop everything to answer my most ridiculous questions (editor’s note: damn, you’re lucky! hahaha!), another is a gardener who is put on this earth to be a guardian of the animals and gardens; and yet another can be found tracking down terrorists.  What’s best about these women is I accept them for who they are and they in return allow me to live as I am and understand my imperfections and who don’t hesitate to provide a brutely honest answer when asked.

If you were to march in D.C. for a cause, what would the cause be? What kind of shoes would you wear and why?

Most definitely would be wearing my Crocs as they are very comfortable and when I’m finished I can throw them in the wash and they will look like new.  There would be a number of causes, the first being to bring attention to children with learning disabilities. Another would be having clean water for all communities whether it be here in one of our own States or another struggling community in another country.  Water is our essential and it’s one of the few resources every human being and animal needs to survive.  However plentiful, it needs to be clean and this is an issue that needs to still be addressed by the United Nations because there are many countries still trying to provide this basic need to their people. Lastly, I would be marching for health choices.  Health is an important topic in my eyes and we should have every opportunity to make choices that fit our own lifestyle.

What is your passion in life?

Finding alternative paths of healing is very important to me.  I believe there will come a day when larger groups will be faced to return to the basics of healing.  Before there was aspirin there was a natural solution but today it’s far easier to go to the drug store for that quick bottle.  Cures, in my opinion, can be found in nature. It just takes a little time and energy to find what will work for you.

Are you the same person you were five years ago?

No, I consider myself stronger and have more knowledge to make better decisions.  In the end I would say I have grown up a lot in the last five years and I am enjoying life a little less seriously.

What is the last thing you did just for you?

I did a Native American Sweat in a sweat lodge.  Not only did it cleanse my body and mind but if challenged me beyond anything I’ve ever done in my life.

Favorite entertainment?

Most definately books and music.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Most recent accomplishment would be becoming a Reiki Master and using the skills I’ve learned and developing the opportunities to share it with others.

How do you describe yourself politically?

One who definately has opinions but prefers not to speak about them very often.  My husband is political enough for the both of us.

What is the best thing about being a woman?

You have choices, far more than men I believe.  But, the best thing I believe in being a woman is the ability to give birth and to know your totally responsible for the living being that is inside of us for nine months.

Describe yourself as a superhero.

I would live in a crystal cave and would move through time by becoming an animal.  Animals have this ability to know how to use all their senses and only take from nature what is needed for that moment of survival.  So, by day night I would be this beautiful woman living in her energized cave and by day I would turn into my favorite animal to go explore a particular part of the world.

What do you do that is “out of the box” or “breaking the mold?”

I talk to the animals.  It’s my belief that we can communicate with animals if we would take the time to learn their manner of sharing.  Ted Andrews is famous for understanding this ability and has inspired me with his books “Animal Speak and Animal Wise”.

How do you see your retirement? How old will you be, where will you live, what will you do?

You will find me barefoot and running along the beach or some form of water somewhere.  However, I also believe it’s a state of mind and can be started long before your actually moved/and no longer working.

How do you get physical?

Often my work out is running around chasing four boys but I also like to go rock hunting so you may see me hiking some hill around Virginia and I also work out daily at Curves in Leesburg.