I like to bring in professionals in different roles to add to my retreats. It takes a village.
I am blessed to have some pretty amazing women by my side to fulfill my vision! Introducing...
I am blessed to have some pretty amazing women by my side to fulfill my vision! Introducing...
About Tori
Tori Bledsoe RYT 200
Tori became acquainted with yoga in college, visiting it off and on until 2015, when she fully integrated a practice into her life. In 2020, she earned her 200-hour yoga teacher certification through the Yoga and Ayurveda School in Bangor, PA. Though she never intended to teach, Tori ended up doing just that in 2021, ultimately falling in love with sharing yoga’s gifts. She is also an astrologer, certified in Reiki Level II, and currently enrolled in Vira Bhava Yoga’s 40-hour Tantra meditation teacher training. We are so excited to see what she brings to our retreats! “One concept I stress to my fellow yogis is that one cannot be “good” or “bad” at yoga; in fact, the impossibility of perfection in a yoga practice is one of its main draws for me. I’m a perpetual student, and one is never finished learning about yoga! Of particular interest for me is gently dismantling people’s reasons for avoiding a yoga practice– raising awareness of the fact that yoga is not necessarily just a workout, or asana. My teaching style is lighthearted, integrative, and judgment-free; I strive to meet every client where they are, and I particularly love beginners!” About Martha
Martha Finley R.N., LMT
We are excited to welcome Martha to our retreats this offering her gifts in massage. I have had the pleasure of recently being connected with Martha. When we first met her energy was such a Light that I knew I needed to know her deeply. I am excited that our paths of 'healing for others' are finally able to connect on this amazing journey! "My first nursing memory was at age three, sitting on my Great Grandmother’s bed. As a Woman of Appalachia, the importance of community and responsibility in taking care of others is burned deep in my purpose. I have been a lifelong student of the human condition, not only as a practitioner, but in times of vulnerability as a patient, mother, wife, and daughter. It has been my privilege professionally to serve others intimately in birth, death, trauma, surgery, and other healing exchanges for the last two decades. I appreciate science and medical advances, but what really ignites me are gentle, natural modalities. Our bodies were divinely designed to heal themselves, and tapping into that magic is something to behold. I LOVE plant medicine, especially aromatherapy! During the pandemic, I returned to school to integrate massage therapy with my clinical experience. I approach treatment opportunities with a nurses perspective, an eclectic tool box of skills and certifications, and open myself to be a channel for healing. I am committed to respect, modesty, and giving the best of my Soul’s work to those who trust me to care for them. |
About Mallory
Mallory Jessee, LCSW, RYT200,
Heart Space Wellness Services Mallory brings to us a set of unique skills incorporating her gifts in many ways. We are excited for Mallory to join our team! "I am a native of southwest Virginia, and I love these mountains. I have a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work, and I have been a licensed therapist since 2015. My journey with Yoga began in 2010 when I needed a way to cope with anxiety and stress. It didn't take long for me to become inspired by the way that Yoga philosophy and supportive therapy combine so beautifully. I completed my Yoga Instructor certification in 2017 in order to bring this dream to life. I have received specific training in using yoga and mindfulness as tools for therapy, and I am fascinated by how the body/mind/spirit connection that yoga nurtures can help heal depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, self-criticism, and so much more, in ways that traditional talk therapy alone cannot reach." About Heather
Heather Dotterweich 500 RYT
Heather has been with Anam Nostos House from the beginning coming to us from Bristol Yoga, though she has a solid following on her own. Her most admirable gift is the ability to walk with every person who comes before her on the journey they are in at that precise moment. You need not ever be proficient in Yoga to feel welcomed and comfortable with Heather's style and practice. She meets people where they are at and that is a true gift to our retreats! "I LOVE YOGA, I LOVE TEACHING YOGA. I've practiced yoga for 10 years, having completed my RYT 200hr training at Inner Sea Yoga, Johnson City Tn in April 2013. I've received training in teaching yoga to children at the Asheville Yoga Center in July 2012 as well as teaching yoga and mindfulness to special needs children in Roanoke in May 2014. This is a lifelong learning experience! It's very thrilling to witness this ancient bag of tools slowly transform a person's way of moving, breathing, focusing, feeling at ease in their own body, mind and spirit. When someone tells me they're too inflexible for yoga, I reply that the only requirement is the ability to move breath in and out of your body, and the rest will follow!" About Carolyn
Carolyn Koesters
Carolyn joins us from WORD CATCHING out of Abingdon, Va. We are excited to see how she will walk with you to make journaling joyful, deep, fun, magical, and healing alongside our workshops and retreats! "My interest in journaling began as a young girl when my second grade teacher, Mrs. Thompson, handed me my very first journal. For thirty years, I’ve developed that gift into my life’s purpose: to offer journal writing, poem-making and thoughtful creative prompts to anyone as an invaluable instrument for healing, growth, and discovery, and to share this with anyone who has a desire to be transformed through the power of words. Through my passion for personal writing, I’ve discovered a realm of therapeutic benefits through expressive writing that have been studied and proven to reduce stress and promote feelings of well-being. Poetry Therapy, is one of the Expressive Arts Therapies, such as dance, art, or music therapy. I earned my credential as a Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator through the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy in 2006 and love sharing my passion for and extensive knowledge of intentional journaling with beginning writers and life-long writers alike. " |
