Smoke Sisters / ERIN ROMNEY-CAZES

In this series, we explore what it means to be a “Smoke Sister” through interviews with inspiring women that we either know personally or admire from afar. Smoke is a brand of connection, intentional living, self-care, and uplifting friendships. With each interview, we hope to delve deeper into this culture.

Erin Romney is a New Orleans wellness pioneer and legend! She led the wellness movement in New Orleans long before it became a trend, and now her beautiful studio offers so much more than it's base of Pilates. You simply can not discuss wellness in New Orleans without invoking Romney's name. Her interview is a beautiful reflection of her values and philosophy. We are so inspired by her. Enjoy!

Bio: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your work, and where we can find you?

I love to create beautiful things, like art, design physical environments and atmospheres that then foster specific feelings. I love movement in all its forms. Because I'm an emotional cancer, my movement depends on my mood; sometimes intense and fiery and other times calm, fluid and relaxed. There is an unspoken language in movement and I see it in people. I see how they hold themselves, how they move and how they respond to others. A lot of that is reflected in their emotional state.

I do all of the above everyday within my studio. It's an intentional multi-sensory experience when you walk in the door. My intention is to create internal peace within others through the environment, the movement and the engagement of the mind into the body. This peace will translate into every other area of our clients lives for the better.

You can find me at the studio 6 days a week or at home working on projects or nurturing myself and family.

website, Instagram, Twitter

Perfume: What is an early or favorite scent memory you have? What comes to mind when you imagine your favorite scent?

I grew up in Utah so the smell of pine trees evokes that innocent childhood period. We lived in San Diego for a short period of time and my first smell of the ocean was there. So that's my second favorite scent, the ocean, Pacific Ocean to be exact. Surprisingly I studied Marine Biology in college so I'm really drawn to everything about the ocean.

Self care: What is one non-negotiable self-care ritual that you try to regularly attend to?

My non-negotiable self care ritual is a bath with a ton of salt. In fact, I'm writing this in the bath. I use a ton of salt to detox from the energy of a lot of people, business matters and emotion from my day. The water calms me and it's my sacred time.

Nature: We take great inspiration from travel & nature. What is the most inspiring natural place you’ve ever been to and why?

I haven't met a natural setting that I didn't appreciate but my favorite would be Northern California in the redwood Forrest. It's mythical. It's lush. Its vibrating with the buzz of the trees surrounding you. It's also right near the ocean so you get that mixed scent of the sea. A perfect combination. The rainforest in Costa Rica is another incredible place I've been. It's a dream of mine to travel Africa and the amazon and experience the beautiful wild there.

Joyful Presence: Here at Smoke, we believe in fostering joy. We feel that this emotion is a key element in well-being, creativity, resistance, and productivity. How do you cultivate joy in your daily life?

I experience joy when I am in alignment with my purpose. When I'm learning, creating, traveling and helping others find their strength and joy. I'm learning to read the signs from the universe a lot more so I'm letting it lead me down my next path in life...I'm appreciating the space between no longer and not yet.

And finally: What’s your greatest hope for the future?

My greatest hope is that others will find their light and shine it. We need that light more than ever in this world.