Wellness Instructor Bios
RUTH RATLIFF
SINGING BOWL INSTRUCTOR
Ruth’s work is centered on the belief that the power of voice and sound can be an instrument of expression, healing and sacred connection. She uses a holistic approach, combining science and spirituality to help guests access a conscious transformation to lead a healthy, fully expressed life. Ruth is a Licensed and Certified Vibrational Sound Therapy Practitioner and holds a Level 1 Certificate in Sound Healing with Voice, Shoden Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy. She is also a published author of the book "The Voice of Women's Wisdom", and has been a singer, performer, workshop leader and a holistic voice teacher for many years. Through her own experience with personal tragedy and the observation of her students, Ruth realized that voice has the potential to access something much deeper within us. Her offering “Go Primal - Amplify Your Voice” is the culmination of her experience as a performer, teacher and healer. She also studied vocal performance and pedagogy at Mannes Music College in New York City, The New School for the Arts in Montclair, NJ, and Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ.
JAIMIE ADKINS
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Jaimie received her 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) in 2018 at Yoga Youniverse as well as a level 1 RYT in 2010, both through Yoga Alliance. She is certified to teach Vinyasa, Bikram-method, Hatha, Ashtanga and Beginners Aerial Yoga. Jaimie’s journey with yoga began in 2000 when she took her first yoga class in college as an elective and became hooked. She started to form a dedicated practice, exploring many forms of yoga until her journey led her to her first teacher training in 2010, then to her teacher certification in 2018. Since her initial certification, Jaimie has continued to study and partake in workshops with a variety of national teachers, always improving her knowledge. An advocate for natural healing of the mind and body, she spent 14 years working in the health and fitness industry, and is currently working on her Functional Nutrition Certification. Jaimie offers hot and non-hot yoga classes, welcoming practitioners of all levels. Focusing on the fundamentals of yoga and paying close attention to form is Jaimie’s priority, ensuring students have a safe practice with long-term benefits as a top priority.
BRYAN PAUL
FOREST BATHING + MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR
Bryan has a profound passion for both movement and breath. He found home in body through finding a home in the practice of yoga, and endeavors to lead his guests to that same space. Through a firm and grounded understanding of anatomy, to an intuitive and emotional connection to spirituality, Bryan's classes are accessible and enjoyable to all. He employs a practice of creative sequencing to make followers breathe better, sweat more, laugh louder, challenge and comfort themselves…all with strong and easy guidance at the forefront. He is a 200hr CYT (Certified Yoga Teacher), holds a 50-hour Yin Yoga certification as well as breath work and mobility certifications. Bryan is RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) specializing in Power Vinyasa with an emphasis on alignment and Yin Yoga. He practices moderately paced strong sequencing incorporating breath work, meditative and spiritual elements, and honors the four directions in every class (NSEW) as a grounding and centering practice. Bryan also has an interest in children's yoga and partner yoga.
BROOKE BURGIN
ESSENTIAL OILS INSTRUCTOR
Brooke was introduced to the world of essential oils five years ago to help manage her depleted immune system and high anxiety levels. She could not believe the positive effects that the oils had on her, and has since made it her mission to immerse herself in essential oil education to show others how to use them safely as a complement to their current health regime. Brooke currently teaches essential oil workshops to schools, health clubs, medical practitioners, and families. In addition to her essential oil knowledge, she is a school psychologist, voice instructor, and choir director. Brooke has always been fascinated by the mind-body connection and loves how she can easily integrate the oils into her other occupations to help her students.
AVI BLITMAN
MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR
Avi practices by the principles of living and facilitating heart centered intuitive guidance with amazing abilities in leading mindful meditation and yoga experiences. He has a true passion for positive energy, wellness, personal growth, plus mind and body higher awareness. Avi believes in connecting with people to uplift their innate abilities and self-care which allows for a thriving life and career. Additionally, he guides followers through creative meditation and mindfulness experiences via breath-work, mantras, visualizations and a wide array of meditation and yoga experiences. Avi is known to facilitate meditation for reducing stress and enabling wellbeing, which he has also undertaken successfully for corporate groups. His deep knowledge and wisdom in the dimensions of a mindful life, optimizing wellness, breathing practices, empathy, curiosity and healthy living psychology are extraordinary, as well as his knowledge of prana energy, chakra energy centers, crystal healing, healthy food choices, herbs and essential botanical oils influences. Avi has been facilitating meditation experiences since the year 2000, is a certified yoga/meditation teacher and has a Masters degree in organizational social psychology.
KAREN NOEL
QI GONG INSTRUCTOR
For nearly two decades, Yogini Karen has been facilitating revitalization and regeneration through the ancient healing practices of Brain Breathing, Alignment Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, Qigong, Sound Healing and Reiki Therapy. Her classes are contemplative and her eye is keen on proper form ensuring a safe, comfortable environment. With deliberate practice, well-being blossoms. Karen is an expansive, patient, knowledgeable professional guide/teacher/facilitator of the ancient healing practices of Alignment Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, Qigong Flow and Sound Healing. She often quotes: “ WE are energy, and energy is designed to flow.” Moving bound energy revitalizes and regenerates Body and Brain. Our amazing instructor invites you in; to explore and experience new habit training for a contemplative lifestyle. Karen is a proponent of continuing education and is presently studying Tai-Chi. Her instruction focuses heavily on proper alignment and form. Her classes are safely and mindfully conducted. They also include a sprinkle of humor and spirituality! Karen invites you to come share time and space in a richly rewarding class environment.
HEATHER HOUSKEEPER
HERBALIST & HIKING INSTRUCTOR
Heather is an herbalist, long-distance hiker, author, and lover of all things wild. She has hiked thousands of miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail – all the way from the state of Georgia to Maine. Her excursions into the wild foster a deep connection with nature and provide her with the opportunity to research and utilize the edible and medicinal plants along her path. As a yoga instructor, she blends her reverence for nature with her practice, inspiring others to deepen connection within themselves and with the earth. Her skills include herbal medicine, holistic health, botany, wild food, hiking/long distance trails, yoga, and nature philosophy. Heather’s published works include A Guide to the Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Finger Lakes Trail and A guide to the Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Her newest book, Love and the Long Path, will be released this Spring. Through her guided walks, seminars, forest bathing and consultations, she encourages others to explore nature, expand wonder, and enhance well-being.
JARED FINCK
HARD CIDER EXPERT
Owner of the historic Armstrong Farm in Augusta NJ, Jared has been crafting hard cider since 2010. Starting with a single gallon on the kitchen counter, he has been fermenting cider in the brew room of his farm basement and currently produces approximately 50 gallons for personal consumption a year. He is active in collaborating with regional cideries and orchards to get the most out of their apples. Interested in all things pomaceous, Jared has attended cider conventions, met one on with cider producers, and attended a cider producers summit in western Massachusetts. His expertise in the process of fermentation and it’s place in history redefines the understanding of what makes hard cider a unique experience. He loves to turn people on to his passion for a fizzy lifting drink with a folk history older than the mayflower.
DAN DANOVSKY
MIXOLOGIST
Dan has been employed in restaurants since he started working, and in almost every position from back of house to front. After leaving the world of finance, Dan found himself drawn back to dining establishments. He was part of the original opening team at Brick Farm Tavern and quickly flew up the ranks from barback to bartender in less than a couple weeks. Under the tutelage of General Manager Mike Lykens and Chef Greg Vassos, he was able to understand the importance of locality, sustainability and having the goal of perfection. The restaurant’s mission was to be hyper local, only using products within a 5 mile radius. Dan found himself looking at ingredients that were growing right outside his front door, reverting back to skills he learned as a child. One of the things that stayed with him the most was utilizing the ingredients around him. After leaving Brick Farm Tavern, Dan began working pop-up speakeasies and private events which allowed him the freedom to pursue the utilization of foraged ingredients. Dan has now worked with many of New Jersey’s top restaurants and chefs in multiple capacities, from supplying them with mushrooms and other wild edibles, to designing beverage programs that sustainably utilize excess inventory.