Romi Mittag: Coloring Life with Healing & Authenticity

With over 25 years of experience, Romi has mastered the art of helping people reconnect with their authentic selves. As a holistic color and image consultant, as well as a sound and energy healer, she weaves together the power of color, vibration, and energy to bring harmony inside and out. Her unique approach goes beyond appearance—it’s about aligning soul, style, and spirit so that each person can shine in their truest form.

“When you align your soul, style, and spirit, every color becomes a doorway to your true self.”

What inspired you to start your journey in holistic healing and image consulting?

I have always been fascinated by colors—the sky, vibrant flowers, and the deep tones of autumn. My journey began when I discovered a book on color by an image consultant and later met the author herself, an elegant woman who passionately opened the world of colors to me. At that time, I felt insecure about my appearance, and learning image consultancy gave me not only the tools to look better, but also the confidence to feel better.

Around the same period, a bouquet of bright yellow and orange flowers from a friend lifted my spirits during a difficult time, showing me just how profoundly colors can influence emotions. These two experiences inspired me to explore both the inner and outer aspects of color.

After writing my university thesis on how colors affect the human mind and life, and earning my certification, I went on to teach color theory, psychology, and train consultants at a color academy in Tokyo. My passion for color psychology eventually led me into holistic healing, and to deepen my knowledge, I moved to San Francisco, where holistic approaches were flourishing. Today, I integrate color, sound, and energy to support transformation from the inside out.

How has living in different countries shaped the way you work with people?

Living in different countries has profoundly shaped the way I connect with people. Growing up in Tokyo, a society that is largely homogeneous and where only Japanese is officially spoken, I realized early on that I needed to broaden my perspective to understand myself, my culture, and the wider world.

Along my journey, I’ve met so many inspiring people, which has been a true gift. Of course, there were also challenges, especially when I was a foreigner navigating new environments. Yet even those experiences became valuable lessons—they helped me look beyond nationality, skin color, or language, and connect with people on a deeper, human level.

Now, I feel at home working with people from all backgrounds. I can navigate misunderstandings with empathy, respect different viewpoints, and create meaningful connections. I love learning from others and sharing ideas—it’s a reminder that we are all here together on this Earth, which is such a precious and miraculous thing.

What does it mean to you to help someone connect with their “authentic self”?

For me, helping someone connect with their authentic self means guiding them to recognize and accept all parts of themselves—not only their strengths and gifts, but also their challenges and shadows—and to integrate these into a whole, authentic being.

It’s incredibly rewarding to witness this process. When I see someone embracing themselves fully, freely expressing their emotions, and reconnecting with their inner light, it fills me with such profound joy that it often brings tears to my eyes. Through color, sound, and energy, I love facilitating these moments when people rediscover their own radiance and rebuild trust in themselves.

How do you see the connection between color, energy, and self-expression?

Colors are the visible part of the electromagnetic field—essentially, light—and light is energy. Once you become aware of colors, you can use them to play with energy. Colors are not just visual; they influence emotions, the body, and intentions. When you understand this, self-expression becomes much freer—you can consciously choose colors to reflect or shift your energy.

Colors can also be combined with sound. For example, red energizes, and when paired with deep sounds, like drums, its resonance becomes even stronger. The world is deeply interconnected, and when you explore it through color and energy, self-expression transforms into something joyful and playful. You’re not just expressing yourself—you’re co-creating with the universe. In that moment, everything feels alive, sparkling, and full of possibility.

Can you share a memorable moment when your work deeply impacted someone?

One of the most memorable moments was with an Italian woman who looked radiant in red. But when she saw herself in the color, she froze in fear. Gently, I listened as she shared her story: as a child, her father had once scolded her for wearing a red skirt, calling it “too flashy.” From that moment, she unconsciously banned herself from wearing red.

I encouraged her to face that fear and reconnect with the child within her. We began with small touches of red, and gradually, her courage grew. Eventually, she embraced wearing red fully—and with it, reclaimed her power. She even went on to open her own nail salon, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Visiting her salon afterwards and seeing her shine in her reclaimed color remains one of the most moving experiences of my work.

What makes your approach different from traditional image consulting?

My approach goes beyond simply identifying a person’s color code. While categories can provide clarity, they can also create invisible walls. My motto is “rules are made to be broken”—in fact, I even wrote a book with that title.

I see the “rules” as a foundation, but not a limit. If someone feels safe within them, that’s perfectly fine. But for those ready to explore further, I open the door to playfulness and creative freedom. I guide people in weaving colors in unexpected ways, blending knowledge with imagination. That’s where the real magic happens: when curiosity meets creativity, and colors become an adventure.

How do sound and energy healing support self-discovery?

From a scientific perspective, both sound and energy are forms of frequency. Certain sound frequencies can influence brainwave activity, shifting us from beta (alert state) into alpha or theta (relaxed, meditative states). In these states, people often access deeper memory, intuition, and creativity.

Energy healing works similarly: our bodies are surrounded by an electromagnetic field, and when it is balanced, the nervous system relaxes and the body returns to its natural rhythm. This calm state creates space for self-reflection and awareness.

So, sound and energy healing support self-discovery by literally shifting the state of the brain and body, allowing people to reconnect with who they truly are beneath the surface. It’s both scientific and magical at once.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to explore their personal style more freely?

Start by listening to yourself, not the rules. Categories like “this suits you, that doesn’t” are only guidelines, not prisons. True freedom begins when you take what you’ve learned and dare to play and experiment.

Ask yourself: What do I feel drawn to today? Which color or fabric excites me? Following that spark naturally reveals new sides of yourself. Style is not just about looking good—it’s about aligning your inner energy with your outer expression.

So, learn the basics, then break them with joy. Permit yourself to be playful, bold, even unpredictable. That’s when style becomes a tool for self-discovery—and when it becomes truly fun.

How do you keep yourself grounded and inspired in your work?

I meditate. I breathe deeply, go inward, and connect with my higher self. When I ask, “If I were pure unconditional love, what would I do?” I find myself both grounded and uplifted. My heart opens, and I feel deeply fulfilled.

I’m also inspired by simple, everyday conversations with family and friends. Those connections remind me of what really matters, keep me rooted, and often spark fresh ideas.

What’s the one message you hope people take away from working with you?

That they are already whole, beautiful, and powerful. Colors, sounds, and energy are simply doorways to help them remember this truth.

I hope that people walk away not only seeing themselves differently, but feeling a joy that bubbles up from deep within—so they can step into life playfully, explore freely, and express who they truly are. When you embrace that playful energy, life itself begins to sparkle, and every step becomes an adventure.

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