When Barbara Voges and Mark Bahlke decided to start a business together, they envisioned a go-to place for health and wellness.

“We want a full spectrum wellness center that eventually will include acupuncture, chiropractic, family and individual wellness counseling and nutritional counseling for better diet and health,” Bahlke said Monday.

That’s in addition to the yoga classes offered by Bahlke and Voges’ massage therapy, as well as an on-site registered nurse who specializes in laser skin care, an esthetician for general skin care, facials and waxing; and a hairstylist.

The newest additions to the Downtown Auburn center are a Qi Gong instructor, Reiki instructor and another massage therapist who will specialize in A-Shaitsu.

“It’s when they walk on your back,” Voges said.

Bahlke, who is the general manager, began yoga about six years ago and was hooked almost immediately.

“Everybody has a different story about why they got into yoga,” he said. “It changed my life in a very positive way. After working out with yoga for just a short time, I began to feel better, more healthy. It had an appeal. It just resonates with me.”

Voges brings an 11-year background in massage therapy, working at a number of Auburn-area spas and medical offices.

“It has always been my dream,” she said about opening the business. “I feel like it’s a gift of healing that people have. I love to nurture people and educate them and help them with their ailments and problems.”

Bahlke agrees.

“She has a broad range of experience and a lot of networking contacts in the health and wellness professions,” he said. “It was her dream to network and bring these people together to have any kind of wellness service someone might need and to be able to cross-refer them to other services.”

They chose to establish the center in Auburn because of Voges’ many years working locally. And they’re very pleased with the big blue Victorian structure that houses their enterprise.

“We were able to work out beneficial terms with the building owner,” Bahlke said. “He has been very kind to us. We’re trying to start a business in a brutal economic climate. We have a steep uphill battle from that standpoint.”

The center opened in August after some remodeling and redecorating, and response has been very positive, Bahlke said.

“They like the environment,” he said about clients. “We’ve done what we could to make it very peaceful and tranquil so that people can de-stress when they get here.”

Chris Lewis of Auburn, one of Voges’ longtime clients, is impressed with the new space.

“I love it. It is the best place she’s ever been,” Lewis said. “It is beautiful there and they have so much to offer all in one spot. She’s so knowledgeable in every aspect of the quality care for those of us who need medical massages.”

Meadow Vista resident Vicki Sanders was equally enthusiastic.

“She’s an excellent masseuse,” she said of Voges. “She gets to know her clients and she’s a real problem solver and vary caring.”

The Journal’s Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay @goldcountrymedia.com or comment at Auburnjournal.com.

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Divine Wellness

Where: 991 Lincoln Way, Downtown Auburn

Phone: (530) 823-9355

Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, varied hours on Saturday

E-mail: divinehealthandwellness@yahoo.com