About RTC
About Me
Hello there, and welcome to Return to Calm Studio!
Thank you for taking the time to visit my little corner of the world.
I'd love to share a little about myself and how my journey into sound and wellness began.
My name is Maria, or Wu Yi Qian (伍逸倩) in Mandarin. I was born and raised in Melbourne and am a first-generation Australian in my family.
Outside of work, I enjoy a little bit of everything—adventures, discovering good food, travelling whenever the opportunity arises, and more recently, learning to play pickleball! I've always valued living life honestly, wholeheartedly, and with an openness to new experiences.
From a young age, I've considered myself an empathetic person, often sensitive to the emotions and experiences of those around me. Over the years, my own life experiences have deepened my passion for wellbeing, particularly how we can better manage stress, reconnect with ourselves, and find a greater sense of calm in our everyday lives.
Through a series of unexpected encounters, divine signs, personal experiences, and moments that seemed to fall into place, I eventually found myself exploring the world of sound.
Coming from a background in nursing and healthcare, I was naturally drawn to approaches that offered both a structured foundation and an openness to exploring wellbeing beyond conventional healthcare.
That's when I discovered the Peter Hess Method®.
Developed by German engineer Peter Hess, this method uses specially designed singing bowls and their gentle sounds and vibrations to encourage deep relaxation. Over nearly five decades, the Peter Hess Institute has developed and shared this approach through practitioner training around the world.
My training took me to Western Australia, where I had the wonderful opportunity to learn from Ute Coleman, Director of the Peter Hess® Academy, alongside like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds, including medicine, psychology, engineering, and neuroscience.
It was an experience that broadened my perspective on wellbeing and deepened my appreciation for the meaningful connections we make along the way.
And somewhere along this journey, Return to Calm Studio began to take shape.
I wanted to create something more than a place to book a wellness session. My vision was to create a welcoming, intimate space where people could slow down, feel genuinely cared for, and enjoy a moment away from the demands of everyday life.
A place where restoration and meaningful human connection are at the heart of the experience.
Whether you're curious about sound massage, seeking a moment of quiet, or simply looking to do something kind for yourself, I hope you'll feel welcome here.
I look forward to meeting you and sharing this experience with you.
Return to calm, return to you.
With warmth and blessings,
Maria
Founder, Return to Calm Studio
Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner
Registered Nurse
Our Beliefs and Values
Sound is life.
From the rhythm of our breath and heartbeat to the activity within our cells, our bodies are always in motion. Sound and vibration are part of our everyday experience and can meaningfully support relaxation and wellbeing.
Our work is guided by five foundational pillars:
1. Strengthening Wholeness
A Salutogenic Approach to Wellbeing
We view wellbeing as a lifelong journey involving the body, mind, and spirit. We encourage self-awareness, intentional self-care, balance, and the body's natural capacity for rest and recovery. Guided by a salutogenic philosophy, we focus on strengthening health and wellbeing—not simply responding to illness—to support resilience and foster healthier relationships with ourselves and others.
2. Evidence-Informed Practice
Integrating Science, Tradition, and Method
Our approach brings together the structured Peter Hess® Method, practical experience, established traditions, and evidence-informed research into relaxation, sound, and vibration. We believe therapeutic sound has an important role to play in the future of wellbeing and complementary healthcare.
3. Resonance and Restoration
Calming the Nervous System
We recognise that prolonged stress can affect physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Sound and vibration are applied intentionally to dissolve tension, support calm, and guide the body back to a state of deep relaxation and restoration.
4. Simplicity and Gentleness
The Principle of "Less is More"
Guided by the Peter Hess principle that “less is more,” we favour gentle, safe, and purposeful application. By avoiding unnecessary overstimulation, we allow the body to process the therapeutic vibrations at its own pace.
5. Sanctuary and Respect
An Inclusive Space Inspired by Faith
We create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment grounded in professionalism, presence, care, and respect for each person’s individual experience. People of all backgrounds and beliefs are warmly welcome.
My personal appreciation of sound is also grounded in the Christian belief that all creation came into being through God’s Word and that humanity was given life through His breath:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
— John 1:1
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