In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Viola Floral opened the doors of our Santa Monica studio for an intimate evening exploring the quiet intersection of flowers, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. The Art of Slowing Down: Sound x Stem brought together a small group of guests for an experience designed to do exactly what the name suggests — pause, breathe, and reconnect.
An Evening Rooted in Honest Conversation
The evening began with a fireside chat between Viola Floral founder Jelena Trifunovic and Kelly Merryman Turner, founder of Sol Ascend Frequency Healing — a certified sound healer, Reiki Master Teacher, somatic yoga teacher, and meditation guide. Kelly's path to healing work grew out of her own experience navigating anxiety and disconnection, and her openness about that journey set the tone for the entire evening.
Together, the two explored what "slowing down" actually looks like in practice — not as another thing to add to a to-do list, but as something you feel in your body. The conversation moved through what each of them has let go of, how flowers and sound became languages for processing things words couldn't reach, and practical, accessible strategies for managing everyday anxiety that guests could take home and start using immediately.
Sound Bowl + Live Floral Demonstration
Following the conversation, the room shifted into something truly special. Jelena led a live floral demonstration — building an arrangement in real time — while Kelly accompanied the process with the healing frequencies of crystal sound bowls. The pairing created a layered sensory experience: guests watched an arrangement take shape while immersed in resonant, calming sound. It was one of those moments where the room collectively exhaled.
Community, Connection, and Giveaways
Woven throughout the evening were the kinds of moments that make our studio events feel special — organic conversation, light refreshments, and the simple pleasure of being surrounded by seasonal blooms in a light-filled space. Guests enjoyed raw vegan treats by Pretty Rawsome, and each attendee took home an eye mask from Sea to Me Blankets and high-protein beauty bites by Beatyf(x). The evening also featured a raffle with gifts from some of our favorite local partners, including a reformer pilates class from The Haven Pilates, a premium Viola Floral arrangement, and a spot in the upcoming Viola Floral x Daleet Spector: Yoga & Flowers Workshop on June 9. One lucky guest also took home the finished floral arrangement from the live demonstration.
Why This Matters
For Jelena, this event carried a deeply personal thread. Flowers became her way of processing grief after losing her mother — they gave her a language when she didn't have words. Creating a space where that kind of vulnerability is welcome, where people can slow down and feel something real, is at the heart of what Viola Floral is about. Pairing that intention with Kelly's sound healing work felt like a natural extension of what the studio strives to do every day: help people connect — to beauty, to each other, and to themselves.
Gather Beautifully at Viola Floral
Interested in hosting a private event, corporate gathering, or wellness experience at our Santa Monica studio? Viola Floral's light-filled space offers a refined, flexible setting paired with custom floral experiences — from bouquet bars to guided workshops — designed to elevate any occasion. We host groups from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Brentwood, and across the Westside. Get in touch to start planning.