Taking time out of a busy day to breathe and regroup is an idea that most would consider to be helpful, but seldom take the time to practice.  It is just a tiny step toward staying connected, or being aware of a bigger picture in the midst of everyday life, whether it is one that is hectic, overly full, or the opposite: overly empty. The compilation of this sort of daily stressful living is disorienting in the least and can culminate in depression. 

It's for this reason that Dearborn resident Leslie Blackburn founded One Space LLC in 2007. Helping individuals become re-connected with their own identity and focusing on personal growth is the company's primary goal.

One Space is a unique business that offers multiple disciplines to help follow a path back to self-realization, "a personal awakening, or cracking open," as Blackburn describes it.

"It is important to blend our masculine and feminine energies – not in the physical sense of gender, but in the spiritual one, allowing linear thinking to connect with our expressive or feeling selves," she explains. "This is the beginning to finding healing in these qualities." 

Going through life while suppressing personal feelings is common, Blackburn says. In most home and work environments, energy is dedicated to deadlines, working toward structured goals, achieving tasks, completing checklists and chasing responsibilities, while individual desires and feelings are left locked inside. 

Learning experiences offered through One Space include practices that are more widely recognized today such as yoga, meditation and Reiki energy healing.  Others are lesser known, such as chanting, drumming and other forms of artistic expression.  Blackburn shares that most clients that come to her for personal growth are "seeking something more." They often describe themselves as "being stuck or wanting a deeper feeling of love for themselves."

Some clients seek help with specific problems, such as sexuality or intimacy, through One Space's Sacred Sexual Healing practices.

 "I have always been pragmatic about my life and an acknowledged over-achiever. It was important to me to be the best at everything I do, including intimacy, says Paul Daughenbaugh of Farmington Hills, a student at One Space. "Feeling a concern in my marriage in this arena, I researched online, like so many of us do these days, and found Blackburn's website. There I found information that seemed to resonate with me and I took the chance and called."

A year ago, Daughenbaugh would have thought that it was crazy to consider some of the teachings and work that Blackburn guided him through. But today, on the other end of his experience, he has never felt more complete.

"My wife and I are like a storybook marriage and I want to keep it that way," he says. "I have learned that touch between humans is not only healing, but also honoring one another. It is divine."

Blackburn works with each student individually, tailoring the practices that serve them best and that help them follow their own path to healing.  There are group classes or seminars available in meditation and yoga, which is often an easy entry point for someone wanting to see if One Space offers guidance that works for them. 

Lu-Jane Al-Sheikh of Dearborn Heights came to Blackburn to help "find something more for herself." She saw others who had respect for themselves and she wanted this, too. For the last six months, Al-Sheikh has been working with Blackburn and uses both private and group sessions that are offered.

"If you are stuck in life and don't know what to do or where to go, it's time to listen to your voice inside," Al-Sheikh says. "Leslie (Blackburn) can help you do that."

One Space LLC was founded with the mission of "illuminating the path of self-realization through sacred sexuality, art, yoga, sacred geometry and more." Blackburn is a certified Yoga instructor and a level-nine Reiki master. Call 313-269-6719, or visit the One Space website to learn more about group classes offered or individual sessions.