An iridology specialist is encouraging people throughout the Pembina Valley to live their lives naturally… one small change at a time.
Rachel Blatz is an iridologist, and the owner of Soul Iris in Winkler, a health store with so much more.
“Soul Iris is the product of my mission to empower local people to take charge of their health,” Blatz shares. “ I wanted it to be a safe space. Happy. Healing. These are things that are very important to me.
Iridology is the study of the body’s function through the examination of the eye, and the name Soul Iris reflects this focus.
“Irises are the windows to the soul,” Blatz adds. “I feel like everything can be represented within irises, so much information that can be shared with people.”
She describes an iridology appointment:
“So basically, I take a photo of your irises, and together we go over areas that I see could use a little bit of support. Whether it’s organs, your lymphatic system, your digestive system. And then we discuss possible supplements that can help. We also discuss dietary and lifestyle changes that can be made. It’s a whole lifestyle discussion, really, where we help you make better decisions about your own health.”
Blatz shares that the most prominent issues she’s seeing these days surround hormones in women and digestive issues in children. She finds that children are the easiest clients to work with, as correction is much easier the younger you are, and results show themselves more quickly in kids.
Additional services at Soul Iris include reflexology, massage, and bioresonance. Bioresonance therapy is a way of processing the electromagnetic frequencies within the human body using a medical grade device called Rayonex.
“We are electrical beings. We emit frequencies all the time. This machine accesses those frequencies and facilitate healing.” Blatz elaborates. “If there’s cellular damage, bacteria, viruses, it gives off a different frequency than, say, a healthy cell does.”
All three service providers work in tandem, tailoring plans that best fit each individual.
“The perfect client, I suppose, is someone who’s willing to listen and make necessary changes.” She continues. “It doesn’t have to be a drastic change- lessening the amount of pop they drink, incorporating breakfast, eating more vegetables. They don’t necessarily have to, you now, take all the supplements I recommend, as long as they’re willing to hear me out, and come in here with an open mind. Being willing to listen and take what they’ve learned to heart, that’s so valuable."
Beyond individual appointments, all are welcome to step into the Soul Iris shop. Here, the shelves are stocked with loose leaf teas, bulk herbs making your own blends, supplements, food, protein powders, probiotics, cosmetics, hygiene items, pet health products, and much more… all with zero added fragrances. The energy throughout the space is one of simple calm.
“People seem at ease when they come in- the first thing they usually comment on is how nice the place smells!”
Fan favorites include vitamins, immune support products, and mushroom supplements. Blatz notes that there wasn’t a lot of information to be found locally about mushroom supplements, and she’s pleased to fill that gap. Probiotics are also popular, especially with people experiencing gut and bowel disorders, as well as anyone coming off antibiotics.
“These things don’t necessarily fix the problem,” Blatz concedes. “But they do help activate your bodies’ own healing mechanisms."
The most surprising section, Blatz has learned, is her stock for pets. Natural food, treats, and even remedies for pets have made her a go-to for those needing additional support for their animals.
“When they stumble upon it, they’re pleasantly surprised,” she notes. “I’ve had a lot of people coming in with questions about their pets’ separation anxiety or UTIs. And so they’re really happy to see that there are options here for those things.”
As a dog mom herself, Blatz prefers to treat her pets as naturally as possible. Her go-tos are probiotics, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.
“I do carry a lot of calming pet products as well,” she shares. “Animals in this day and age are exposed to different things, just like we are. So there’s a lot of need for supplementation. I myself have a highly, highly anxious dog, and there are so many products here that have helped her tremendously.”
Fully aware that the unfamiliar terminology and uniqueness of these products and services can breed hesitancy, Blatz emphasizes that each interaction at Soul Iris is low pressure, and that the first step is a simple conversation between two people that understand the importance of full-body balance.
“There are no wrong questions to ask- we just really, really love working with people.”
For more information about Soul Iris and how they can help you, stop by their shop at Unit 1 385 Mountain Avenue in Winkler, or visit them on Instagram: @soul.iris.winkler.
All photos supplied by Tori Janzen.
